What an intriguing question! In our EME 5050 graduate class, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to discuss the topic of extreme technological advancements in our world today. After watching Fisch and McLeod's video, Did You Know, many points were made to show how far technological advancements have come in our world, yet certain schools and states are so far behind, caught in an extreme technological gap. This is not only true in the state of Iowa, but nation-wide in the classrooms of America.
The school that I currently teach at is an older school (opened in 1998) with the original technology still used today. Slowly, we are experiencing a technology turn-around. By this school year, every classroom will have a SMART board and a document camera to use. In the near future, we will replace the old computers with flat screens, creating more labs for students to use. It is vital for schools to stay up to date in our ever-changing world.
Another current issue in our world is whether or not teachers implement the technology that they may have in their classroom. As a newer teacher, I try to infuse as much technology in my classroom to accommodate my students the most. Technology-rich lessons are a must to keep students hooked into learning in today's world. If teachers are going to stay up to date on technology with their students, they may need to jump out of their comfort zone, performing tasks that are not as convenient as older teaching methods.
Due to the constant technological advancements in our world today, our classrooms are much different than just 15 years ago. We currently live in a society where students need to be edutained, not educated, due to a stress on technology. Hopefully all educators will do what's best for their students, not what is most convenient for them.
Great post, I find your experience very interesting. A school with technology from 1998 that is currently updating to new technology is a great opportunity and advantage. Many schools had to spend money and experiment with technology that is now dead. You have the advantage of implementing technology that has been tested and proven. I also really like your statement that students need to be edutained, this is a great word. Very true we have to get the attention of the student to get them to learn.
ReplyDelete"Eduatined!" I've never heard that term before. I hope you don't mind if I add it to my vocabulary. Eduataining is what the new generation of teachers is expected to be able to do. It is becoming increasingly important for educators to be able to capture the attention of their students using varied forms of media and technology.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that your school is taking the necessary steps to innovate the old technology. I work for a school corporation that has also taken many steps toward this goal. This experience has shown me the need for educators to develop their knowledge and skill in this field if they want to be relevant.
Taking these steps is not the convenient thing to do, but it is the right thing to do for our students. I also like your use of the term "technology-rich lessons". This emphasizes the fact that our lessons do not have to be centered around the technology all of the time, but they do need to be enriched by it. Great use of terminology!