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Primary Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Why are teachers so afraid of technology?

by newteach

Mar 18, 2009

This is my 3rd year teaching. I was previously in business and completed an ACP to become a teacher. I am shocked to discover that so many teachers are not only technologically illiterate, but do not care to really learn about technology.

I learned about technology in the business world where I usually just picked it up having to use an application or someone would show me how to use it in passing. Teachers have so much technology training available, yet I have found that many go just to get the hours but don't even try to apply what they are taught.

This is such a problem considering that we are teaching a computer generation. How can we prepare this generation when teachers are not integrating or even willing to learn themselves about this crucial component.

Many teachers at my school won't even try to create something as simple as a weekly newsletter on Publisher, Word or a similar application. I have taught my first graders more about technology since t...See More

view previous comments

This is the exact kind of mentality that keeps teachers in the dark ages. There is nothing wrong with teaching both problem solving and utilizing technology at the same time. In fact, more higher order thinking occurs when you do both together. Are you really only capable of teaching one? Perhaps that is the problem?

As quickly as technology is advancing nowadays, if we wait until our ...See Moreteachers in the dark ages. There is nothing wrong with teaching both problem solving and utilizing technology at the same time. In fact, more higher order thinking occurs when you do both together. Are you really only capable of teaching one? Perhaps that is the problem?

As quickly as technology is advancing nowadays, if we wait until our students go to college to be introduced to technology, it might be too late. Many people that fear or rather "avoid" technology now are uncomfortable because they avoided it before. It doesn't matter that the technology will be different, it only matters that they become technology literate and then they will be able to keep up with the changes in technology.

Besides, integrating technology into education is part of the state standards for every state. If you are waiting until they get to college, then you're not teaching your state standards.

On 3/24/09, something to consider... wrote: > > > Do you really think that the technology we are using today > will be the same as what our students will use when they are > in high school or the work force? I would rather teach my > students problem solving strategies to use so they can figure > out the latest technology when it is necessary. When I look at > my husband (or me for that matter), he went to school in the > 70's and never touched a computer until he was was out of > college. He is quite successful using all of the latest > technology available. He didn't need to be taught to use tech. > while he was in grade school. Instead he learned how to solve > problems, work with others and quite frankly not to be so > critical of a whole group of people. So "newteach" don't > worry about teachers out there that are teaching their > students much more than any computer can ever teach a young > mind. > > On 3/18/09, newteach wrote: >> This is my 3rd year teaching. I was previously in >> business and completed an ACP to become a teacher. I am >> shocked to discover that so many teachers are not only >> technologically illiterate, but do not care to really >> learn about technology. >> >> I learned about technology in the business world where I >> usually just picked it up having to use an application or >> someone would show me how to use it in passing. Teachers >> have so much technology training available, yet I have >> found that many go just to get the hours but don't even >> try to apply what they are taught. >> >> This is such a problem considering that we are teaching a >> computer generation. How can we prepare this generation >> when teachers are not integrating or even willing to learn >> themselves about this crucial component. >> >> Many teachers at my school won't even try to create >> something as simple as a weekly newsletter on Publisher, >> Word or a similar application. I have taught my first >> graders more about technology since the beginning of the >> year and they are more capable than my entire grade level >> team. >> >> I kid you not - there are some teachers at my school that >> don't even know how to respond to an email or attach a >> document to an email. >> >> Now, it's not the fact that they don't know these things >> that is upsetting. The problem is that many won't even >> bother to try to learn.

Mar 25, 2009

Ann Your post is presumptive and sorely discourteous. Knowledge is knowledge regardless of its format or how it's presented. Are you certain you have enough experience to teach without technology? You have much to learn from us relics of antiquity. Don't consider us dead and buried yet.

On 3/25/09, This is the exact kind of mentality that keep...See More

Mar 25, 2009

lack of software, slow hardware, no tech support On 3/23/09, Tallytchr wrote: > a xerox machine! I made many a purple ditto sheets in my time and > being able to make a copy on a machine was just heaven! > > Now I use a SMARTboard and document camera, have a pretty nice > looking website, couldn't live without my computer and email, and > most people consider me pretty tech saav...See More

Mar 26, 2009

ACP There is a complete continuum on the LOTI scale from casual use of technology to complete use of technology to teach. Public education is many years behind higher education and the business in general in the use of technology. There are many reasons for this, many have been stated. IMO the biggest reason is that we implement it backwards. The buzzw...See MoreThere is a complete continuum on the LOTI scale from casual use of technology to complete use of technology to teach. Public education is many years behind higher education and the business in general in the use of technology. There are many reasons for this, many have been stated. IMO the biggest reason is that we implement it backwards. The buzzword becomes technology and immediately we have to have technology for technologies sake. We throw it out there and say, "Here find a way to use it!" In many cases it makes the job more difficult for reasons that have been stated - learning curves, training that is lacking, technical issues, etc. Teachers, being human, are not going to jump on the bandwagon until they see a benefit to what is being pushed on them. Seldom do we look for a need in education and then build technology to address that need.

I think the obvious uses of technology as a tool are pretty much well implemented at least in most of the bigger districts. Most teachers use technology for email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. I don't know for sure but I suspect that most teachers are using an electronic grade book of some kind. Most teachers are familiar with SmartBoards and/or document presenters if not using them regularly in the classroom. And most schools now have computers available to students for internet research. In every one of these cases, it requires something MORE of the teacher. He/she must learn how to use and in the case of lesson plans, must figure out how to integrate the technology into the lesson. This takes time.

In addition, students seldom get to use technology enough to really make it stick. We have two technology requirements per year - 1 per semester. The math requirement is for students to us Excel and create a spreadsheet that includes text, numbers, and formulas. With limited computer access, our technology lesson typically includes one day in the computer lab learning what a spreadsheet is, how to navigate, and how to input data - period! End of semester one requirement. Then in the second semester, students do a simple activity in which the use Excel to find areas and perimeters or ratios and proportions. My point is that learning Excel takes hours and hours of playing and exploring. Students seldom get this kind of time in front of a computer. The only way that I see to make this a valuable requirement is to have computers in every math classroom that students can use on a daily basis. The technology issues then get worked out and then using computers becomes a matter of fact rather than an issue to overcome. It can be done. I know of schools that issue their HS freshman a laptop that students keep for their entire HS experience. Parents must buy insurance and students take them to every class. WIFI gives them internet access anywhere in the school and they are used daily in every class.

I am rambling. So technology is presently ANOTHER job for teachers. As we move up on the LOTI scale to the point where technology is actually used to compliment teaching and take workload off the teacher, we will see it embraced more fully. We are just now starting to enter this phase. The best example I can give of this is the Reading 180 program. This is a computerized program that actually teaches students to read. While the teacher is working one on one with some students, the others are working at the computer using Reading 180 to learn to read. There is no reason we can't do this for all subjects. Computer programs are totally objective, they are dynamic in that they can adjust for individual differences, kids are used to them, they can be used for remote learning. They can be used for layered curriculum. Take a look at some of the lessons on [link removed].

Computers are great for testing. Again they are objective. In fact giants like Microsoft and Novell have used computerized testing to issue certifications on their products for many years. These tests are dynamic in that they adjust to the students answers. If an easy question is answered correctly, the computer presents a more difficult question. If a student misses and intermediate level question, the computer presents an easier question. With this technology, the test actually zeros in on the students true ability. A student may answer only 10 questions to find his/her knowledge level, or the computer may need to ask 30 questions to zero in on his/her knowledge level. It works and it takes the bias out of teacher grading.

So in short, when teachers see the benefits of technology and when it actually starts helping up teach instead of just being a tool to somehow use in our teaching, then teachers will begin to embrace it more fully. I think we are getting there but at a much to slow pace for me.

Mar 26, 2009

Rebecca I am a middle school and high school teacher but saw this thread from the main board.

Keep in mind that using Smartboards, projectors, teacher chosen websites and such is really not teaching students anything about technology and does NOT get kids to analyze and problem solve in itself.

If you are a teacher who successful integr...See MoreI am a middle school and high school teacher but saw this thread from the main board.

Keep in mind that using Smartboards, projectors, teacher chosen websites and such is really not teaching students anything about technology and does NOT get kids to analyze and problem solve in itself.

If you are a teacher who successful integrates those things in a way that enhances and does not take away from instruction, then by all means continue doing it. But those kids in classrooms where teachers aren't using these tools aren't getting any less of an education because of the lack of tools.

Right now we are in a huge technology craze where way too often we aren't stopping to ask if what we are doing is really enhancing learning. Technology should never be used just for the sake of using technology.

That said, I do see a huge need for teaching students to analyze good websites, find good and accurate information on the internet, and to utilize tools like Power Point themselves in a way that isn't just writing their entire speech up on the slides. Students also need to know how to word process and use spreadsheets. These are all skills that kids are severely lacking as they get into the middle and high school and unfortunately most high school teachers don't feel they have the time to teach kids these skills so MANY kids are going off to college without ever having created a PowerPoint or with no clue who to search effectively and analyze how reliable a website is. I even have seniors who don't know how to attach a file to an e-mail.

So we really shouldn't be so concerned about the technology we as teachers are using to deliver instruction because it really isn't important as long as you are an effective teacher. But we do need to be finding more ways to get kids using some of the programs and the internet so that they do have the skills they need for life beyond school. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle I see is the lack of reliable technology to do this. For example, my school only has one computer lab for pK-12 which is continuously booked. And our only tech staff member is also the high school/middle school secretary and often not available to help

Mar 26, 2009

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