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Changing Society: Why Teachers Need to Embrace Technology
By Guy Weaver
Missouri Baptist University
Artifacts: Pre-Columbian Civilizations Webquest (http://zunal.com/webquest.php?user=29637 )
Today’s world is inundated with technology. Students of this generation zip and zoom through the World Wide Web. They have embraced a new era, The Digital Age. Students of this new era have been dubbed the “Digital Kids” and they rule the classroom. (http://news.cnet.com/ When-digital-kids-rule-the-classroom/2009-1041_3-6065108.html) This age of technology has caught teachers off guard. One needs to embrace technology within the classroom in an ever changing society. The Digital Age will change the face of our schools.
Technology is constantly changing. The W.W.W. has now evolved into “Web 2.0” and is the second wave of the World Wide Web. It is an improved, enhanced, and evolved generation of internet capability. The improvement of design and communication is its foundation. It hosts the inter-twining and connectivity of communities through web base applications: video, blogs, wiki, and various social networking sites. Users do not merely retrieve information, but expound and expand upon given info. Users become active participants through the web. It is rich integration of data and the daily routines of modern life. If technology is an active participant in daily routine, then “why not in the classroom?” This is an issue of utmost concern.
Many teachers are rated on the low-end of the spectrum when it comes to technology in the classroom, myself included. Teachers’ proficiencies are based upon an “emerging to advanced level” rating scale. (NETS_T, see rubric for Digital Age Work & Learning, p. 16) The scales include such categories as: beginning, developing, proficient, and transformative. Technology Reflection
Most teachers still embrace a textbook based style of learning within the classroom. The student is forced to retain, recite, and regurgitate knowledge taught by the lecturer. In my humblest opinion, students are controlled to be mindless robots while the teacher becomes the controller of the hoard. There is no engagement of critical thinking or higher learning. The students are not required to think for themselves. Many teachers of this old school of thought are suppressing the promotion of learning and creativity. Students need active engagement. Technology links students to an exciting, innovative educational experience.
In this society of global connectedness, teachers need to embrace the idea of actively involving the student in real life issues through the use of digital tools, especially the active use of computers in the classroom. The teacher becomes the facilitator as opposed to the authoritative figurehead. Then, the teacher will be able to effectively communicate information in a relevant manner. In return, students learn.
Society is definitely turning from the traditional, conventional classroom and developing into an inspired, digital, virtual classroom. On a personal note, I rate at the low-end of the spectrum when it comes to technology, though I am constantly learning. There are several new programs, computers, smart boards, etc., that provide new tools of innovation for teachers. This is an age of digital modernity. Teachers persistently learn through the active use of computers and the desiring of being creative in the classroom. One must be effective and able to articulate innovative ways within class settings through the use of modern technology.
In order for myself to be effective, I must change with the time. In the development stages of my new profession, I have learned that teachers are required to have a pro-active stance in dealing with the digitalization of learning. I will implement e-learning within the classroom. I Technology Reflection plan to give online map quizzes for geography lessons and have discussion boards for critical thinking upon certain historical events. I will ask students of differing schools of thought and interpretation to expound upon their arguments of given subject matter discussed in the class through blogging or discussion boards. In this digital age, forms of e-learning critically engages the students of today. I find myself constantly using Thomas Friedman’s coined phrase, “the world is flat.” (http:// www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-world-is-flat) By means of technology, it is high paced and one must keep up. The use of computers and digital tools have flattened the world and brought about connectivity and creativity. We are linked. In order to stay connected, one must expand his/her knowledge pertaining to the digital world.
Digital learning is here and it will continue. I, personally find the utilization of the “hybrid” classroom or blended learning, intriguing. The incorporation of the traditional lectern with presentation and a computer with a Learning Management System (LMS) is a happy medium for those who are not fully engulfed or proficient within the technology realm. Teachers can simply set up a “Moodle” account for the class. Students are required to do work on their own, which produces heightened responsibility for individual success. It produces “self directed” learning and problem solving. (http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/ hybrid-education.html) In the classroom, I plan to expand upon the use of blogging. The teacher shall post a blog and students are to read, react, and then share their ideas. Students should post a response to the blog and react to at least two of their colleagues; very much like the university level use of Web CT or Blackboard. It helps one to write. Students learn not to post merely to post, but to provide facts. One is required to provide supporting ideas, thoughts, arguments. A Technology Reflection student must research in order to prove his/her argument. It is good practice that covers all the basics: reading, writing, research, and free thought and critical thinking. Students and teachers can post credible websites to support their thoughts, which spurs the class to subsequently expound upon given ideas and arguments. This will allow engagement and interaction of the student through technology. ( http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm)
For one to contribute to this age one must embrace the times. Higher learning equals the implementation of technology within the classroom. The only way for an educational system to properly equip students within the Digital Age are for its educators to embrace it.
Technology Reflection
Bibliography
Fanter, Amy, Hybrid Education: The Future of Instruction Models. (2005). Accessed 23 May
2009, http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/hybrid-education.html
Friedman, Thomas, The World is Flat. (2008). Accessed 20 May 2009,
http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-world-is-flat
ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers. (2008, second edition).
Standard #Two: Digital-Age Learning Experiences & Assessments. p. 14-15.
Olsen, Stefanie, Digital Kids: When Digital Kids Rule the Classroom. (2006). Accessed 21 May
2009, http://news.cnet.com/When-digital-kids-rule-the-classroom/2009-1041_3-6065108.html
Teachers First: Blog Basics for the Classroom. (2007). Accessed 21 May 2009,
http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
