Posts
Why is it that educators who wouldn't dream of buying their airline tickets or banking anyplace but online have not been able to transform education with technology?
I just completed a 21st Century Skills Presentation at FETC in Orlando. What a great group that attended. They were energized, enthusiastic and listened with open ears and hearts. There were so many e-mail with questions, praise and challenges , it charges my batteries even more and provides additional passion for me to "Change The World".
So......back the Mr Freedman's question... Why is it that we have only changed about 5 % of our classrooms to integrate 21st Century Skills.....TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
35 comments:
A new excuse/reason: with all the accountability tests, there is a fear of changing things that have worked. If the teacher were so inclined to change, there is a high probability that the teacher would be stepped on from above.
I believe many teachers need specific, on-going staff development opportunities on how to truly integrate technology. I also believe that it should no longer be an option, it should be an expectation of all teachers.
I feel there are many different reasons. Teachers don't have enough time for training. Many teachers are not comfortable enough with the computer and understand basic concepts to dive into technology. Then, they fear the students will know more than them and they will 'loose control'. Test preparation takes a lot of class time, which leaves little time for projects.
My educated opinioniated answer to your question is that people in general is affraid of change. Change takes a desire to change and time to create the change.
Some districts do not have updated technology or they do not have an IT director that is not up to date with the latest technology.
Also, in some districts less than 10 % of students actually have internet and computer access at home.
I personally think that the "older" generation of teachers has a big learning gap in technology that very few attempt to close. Younger teachers in their 20s already grew up with technology as part of their daily lives, and they seamlessly integrate those tools into their classrooms. Many teachers at my school state that they do not receive enough training, are afraid that they might break something, or say the tools are not available in their classroom to make the integration flow smoothly enough.
I believe that educators get into a "comfort zone" with their lesson plans. We get so many responsibilities placed on us in addition to teaching, that we tend to use what has worked in the past to make our job a little less burdensome.
I think it is because only about 5%of our administrative population, that make the final decisions, feel comfortable using the internet. They don't know how to use the internet and don't have a desire to learn. Henceforth, they don't push for the transition.
I wasn't aware that there was such a problem with technology in the classroom. 5%? What is that based on?
Many teachers are comfortable with what they are doing in the classroom - especially if it works. The biggest fear is change - and the second is not knowing the technology as well as they would like. Time and training are always an issue.
The educator classroom have not grown up with the technology and unlike the kids are not as ready to venture into the unknown - some still think they will hit a button and delete all or crash.
This is a matter of trust across the board from administrators to teachers. Unfortunately, the "few" still mess things up for the "many," and due to the misuse of technology by a few unethical people, school districts shy away from becoming completely tech savvy. Mainstream media tend to splash the misuse across multiple media sources, and school districts definitely do not want their name out there in a negative light.
I think that if teachers felt comfortable with the technology they would use it more and many feel that they must focus on TAKS remediation to beat the test.
Teacher are over worked. State testing takes all of the class period. Tech. directors control the technology. Only care about the smooth running of the network and the educational aspect is overlooked.
I agree with the time factor. That's why sessions like these that get us into these types of websites/programs are so helpful. I was intimidated to try a blog myself. I will now be doing one with my students on Monday.
Unfortunately, our industry does not attract the most innovative minds unless their compassion outweighs their monetary needs. Those are the teachers who lead change. Until teachers are compensated or assessed for their teaching based on their creativity, innovation, or other relevant means, only those with the compassion to teach will change their teaching styles. You shouldn't be in education if you fear change or just plain don't like kids!
Eyes closed tight, is never to late to make a change in life, specially a administrator or teacher, becuase communication is a step to the future.
The human element is so important in learning.
We do
Deb
Howie says why aren't we using technology in the classroom? I am old and set in my ways and I don't like computers!
Rachel and Celena comment:
*We are creatures of habbit.
*Scared of change.
*Time to learn the technology necessary beyond current requirements.
Darrell said need for time - tech - training
Darrell said need for time - tech - training
T says Fear of change. We all get in our comfort zone and are not willing to take the time to make changes. The reason for change has to become personal enough that we are willing to make the effort.
I believe it is mainly due to the fact that educators are not given enough time and training to incorporate the technolgoy. We are constantly asked to "add" but not given the time to learn and knowledge
Tara
I think PE teachers need more time in class to actually use technology without taking time away from physical activity.
As a high school language arts teacher, I do not have the time to learn how to use all the Internet technology.
...A majority of teachers are not comfortable with computers and need more training to understand basic concepts.
Marcie
I think that teachers need to be more educated on new technology and schools need to be updated for technology. Also, I think that with so many assessments and state requirements it is hard to fit everything in.
Marcie
I think that teachers need to be more educated on new technology and schools need to be updated for technology. Also, I think that with so many assessments and state requirements it is hard to fit everything in.
I feel that teachers seem overwhelmed with all the information and aren't quite sure where to begin or how. We have a lot of tools, but where to start?? Where will we find the time??
lcrosby said...
I believe there are a number of factors that contribute to this problem. First, there is a general malaise about the Internet, especially among the "older" (baby boom" generation. Technology is a mystery to many, still. Secondly, I agree with another blogger, who said that the majority of our administrators are afraid of technology, afraid of "losing control" of our students if we allow them to use tools such as blogs as part of their education. Third, I believe that teachers are generally not trained well enough to use Internet (read: Web 2) meaterials themselves, let alone to teach their students how to use them. There is a great need to educate educators about Internet technology and its application in the classroom.
Denise
Limited time and knowledge.
As educators receive the hands-on training to utilize this technology along with the applications to student learning, they will feel more comfortable and willing to incorporate technology tools. time to "play" with these technology tools also builds comfort levels.
anonymous said....
I would love to utilize technology in my classroom, but it has been very difficult to find time to develop such lessons. It has also been very difficult to implement technology into my teaching, because necessary resources are not available to our students at this time.
Post a Comment