In my opinion, this video is very accurate. Many schools today are behind with their technology. Unfortunately, many computers are "covered in dust" in the backs of classrooms all over America. I agree with the point Needleman is making: schools need to catch up! As a future teacher, I want to be able to teach my students about a variety of things, technology included. Teachers today need to step up and face their fears of these "machines." Technology is not going to stop, so we need to make the decision to stay current.
So, why are schools not using available technology? I wish I knew the answer to that. This video talked about how teachers lecture, students take notes, desks are in perfect lines, etc. It is all very structured. Perhaps too structured. Have teachers gotten too close-minded about their students? In my opinion, the answer is yes. I think that many teachers are afraid students will know more about technology than they will (which is probably true in a lot of cases). However, this is not a bad thing! Teachers can learn from students. Technology has the potential to break through the structure, the same boring lecture style students hear all day long. Technology can help teachers teach new learning styles, incorporate images, videos, music, interactive websites, games, and so much more. Finally, students today have grown up with technology all around them. Teachers today need to get over their "Mr. Winkle" mentality and help students learn in a way that is best for them.
Technology is not something schools should "fear," but encourage. It can open up so many new doors.
I love how you stated teachers need to step up and face their fears of the "machines". It is also so very true that in most cases these days students will probably know more about technology than teachers, but that is not a bad thing!! Teachers just have to be willing to learn from their students. Teachers have to become more open minded to the tools they currently have to use to benefit student learning. Teachers can not close out to all the technology that is available to them. Also, schools have to catch up in the field of technology. Just as the video showed, hospitals, offices, etc. had current technology after 100 years, but schools did not. Schools have to figure out ways to get current technology in their classrooms so that teachers can prepare students for the future!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the fact that our school system has almost become .. TOO STRUCTURED. By not allowing our students to think for themselves and be creative we are essentially taking that away from them and it may never return. I think a huge problem is that our schools are so focused on "teaching to the test" that we forget about what learning is supposed to be, FUN CREATIVE, and INTERESTING. Students are seeing what the school is focused on and most of the time it is not them; therefore, the effort put forth by them is decreased. Another big set back for why more schools do not use technology is because they lack in that department along with the lack of funding for their schools. In some school systems there is not even money in their budget to pay for books, fund the library or P.E. programs and even in some areas they are haVing to cut teachers due to lack of funding. Every child deserves an education and deserves the same opportunities despite the socioeconomic environment they live in or the budget of their county. When we as a country, state, county, and community start putting our children FIRST , then we will start to see results and amazing things!
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