Why We Need To Teach Technology in School
Please watch the video "Why We Need To Teach Technology in School." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VnHdqpE4RM What is your reaction? In your opinion, is the video correct or incorrect or biased?In what specific ways should the content of this video impact education? Before July 9, add your thoughts in the comments section. You are invited to comment on other colleagues' comments.
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ReplyDeleteWatching the video prompted me to think about the ways that I could meet students in their world of technology. That is, how I could teach course content in such a way that students were engaged in learning through tech tools that they can utilize post secondary education. Communication, creation, manipulation, and innovation are all components of the 21st century and should be applied in classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that technology can play a valuable and instrumental role in education. The video highlighted the fact that although students need technology, they also need teachers. Students need teachers to provide critical thinking guidance through technology. Since technology is always changing, educators must also work to continue to make improvements in the classroom. I believe that educators are never at their best, and likewise curriculum is never done being developed.
My life was easier and more convenient because of the technologies pictured in the video. The technologies pictured allowed me time to spend with family and friends, pursue a career, and create and enjoy the arts. The changing technology gives the same benefits to my children and the students in my classroom. Even if my skills in technology are limited, I must not limit my students. Students need and deserve access to the current technology for their learning. I may have to step aside and allow my students to learn from another instructor, if my skills are not adequate. People will continue to create and innovate to manipulate their environments. Technology will continue. Students in today's classrooms must learn the technologies available in their world.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly with the previous two comments technology is always changing and reinventing itself. It is up to professional educators to prepare our students to develop proficiencies with real world technology. Yes our students know how to use iPads, smartphones, and PCs but for what purpose and extent? I would state socially for the majority of teenagers. The difficult tasks such as creation and innovation take more intelligence than creating a twitter account. I believe the real difficulty will be convincing school districts to spend money on staff development; the first step to successfully infusing technology into a school/district.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree with the staff development aspect being paramount to getting this technology into the classroom. My comfort level with technology is much higher than the rest of my team members. They're significantly older than I am (all 50+). Staff development and assistance in implementing technology is something that I don't see as much emphasis on, at least in my district at the middle school level. We need to be shown how to use the tools efficiently, instead of bombarded with one tool for an hour during an inservice day. Give us a plan, as well as the tools. THEN, we can begin to find new and unique ways to use it.
DeleteDwight Peterson TED 8430
ReplyDeleteI thought the video was accurate in that technology is changing at hyper speeds. What is current now will be obsolete in the future. It has changed in the past and appears to be changing at a more rapid rate.
We need to teach the future generations not just how to use the current technology but to learn all the new technology that has not even been developed yet.
Adults need to guide young people in this endeavor to help them analyze the information that they take in, plus provide them a safe environment where they are protected from outside influences.
I thought the video was accurate but biased in that the video wanted to emphasize the need to stay current in current technology for both our business and personal lives.
This video could impact education by emphasizing that time and money needs to be spent so that the next generation is fully technologically literate and will be able to function in the 21st century.
I think the video is correct in the following ways:
ReplyDelete1) Students will learn how to use technology tools whether we teach them or not. We need to teach them proper uses so they are aware of what is true/false and safe/potentially harmful to their future careers (i.e. posting pictures).
2) Students are very familiar with technology and it's important we teach to their level.
3) All pieces of technology have been questioned when 1st introduced. This is not always a bad thing because it allows society to discover what is helpful and challenges inventors to make the best products.
The video makes me realize I haven't jumped on the bandwagon as much as some other teachers. I'm a little skeptical to incorporate so many avenues of technology in the classroom, partly because I am uninformed about them. I need education on tools for technology, and that is an ongoing process. With a fast moving world, it's difficult (but very necessary) to keep up-to-date with the ever-changing world.
I am a strong believer in integrating technology into the classroom, however I think that it very important that, as the video states, we must use “appropriate tools for active engagement in authentic learning tasks.” Much of the ‘anti-technology in schools’ brigade believe that the only thing students use technology in schools for is to play games. In order to persuade these people that technology is important for our students, teachers must be able to justify why they have chosen to utilize a particular technology in a lesson. Before incorporating technology into lessons, teachers must be able to answer questions such as:
ReplyDelete-Is that a relevant or up-to-date technology for the student?
-Will the student be engaged when using the technology?
-Is student learning improved by the use of that technology?
Technology should not be integrated into the classroom without purpose. However, if our purpose as teachers is to prepare our students to be able to survive in the real world, we must provide them with the tools to do so. Technology, whether we or the anti-technology in schools’ brigade like it or not, has infiltrated every type of job. If we do not teach our students how to utilize it appropriately now, they will not be equipped for that real world as adults.
I feel the video really did show the truth about technology. I feel that technology is a great tool and should be used in the classroom. Although I have seen many people not like the idea of technology from places I have worked in the past to teachers being afraid and just not utilizing the technology. I know people that are so afraid to change their ways. Like the video suggests, we need to change the way we teach and utilize technology, kids are going to automatically do it. I have younger children, 4 and 6, and they have easily adapted to technology and can do more things with it than I can do, now. I personally want to know how to utilize technology and engage students with that technology.
ReplyDeleteThis year I am going into a district that is just getting their first laptop carts within the schools. So as the video says they are already years behind where they should be. As I go into this setting I hope to take what technology is there and use it to the fullest potential. Students need to see that we as teachers are working on integrating their world of technology into the schools. I read a book recently called Rewired that stated students from the iGeneration are wired differently than those students who have come before them.
ReplyDeleteI do truly believe that unless we as teachers teach these students how to use these items correctly they will learn on their own. Learning on their own presents huge problems and is scary to think about. If technology is what their world is going to be made up of why not take the time to teach about it. When I was in school I was taught the safety rules of the internet, but now there is so much more out there and we need to help give our students a good foundation to make sure they are using these wonderful tools correctly.
I believe this video is very accurate and hits the nail on the head when they state "kids will learn how to use technology whether we teach them or not". The i generation (current students) are learning and incorporating technology at such a young age and more rapidly than most educators. I believe that technology MUST be utilized and taught in the classrooms. It's one thing to incorporate it in our lessons, but what's more important is to teach our students how they can use it. The only way this can be effectively done is to provide ongoing professional development for teachers and staff. Technology is rapidly changing and if we do not stay on top of things, we are not effectively doing our jobs.
ReplyDeleteNot only is technology a great supplement to education, the prevalence of technology in the field of special education is growing (along with inclusion)! These devices allow students to build on fine motor skills, to be tactically involved in stimulating digital activities, and to serve as a primary communication tool. With the growing amount of special education students in our students, this is one other reason we must be prepared and educated to work in this new environment of technology.
I liked how this video showed the evolving change of technology. It is accurate and I believe it is not biased. As teachers and parents it is our job to teach the children of today about technology and how to use it properly. Technology is changing everyday and I find it hard at times to keep up myself, but it is a necessity. Schools NEED to find the resources to keep current on technology and offer staff development to train the entire staff (not just teachers). Students need to be prepared now and for the future. Technology is a big part of that. If we are not utilizing technology, we are not preparing the students for the future.
ReplyDeleteI like the way the video presented the reality of change. From the invention/discovery of fire to the printing press, electricity & light, then the computer which to us speeding quickly to the present with the world wide web, smartphones, facebook,etc. it goes on and on. The younger generation seems to be impacted the most by the technology since it is what they are exposed to. They do not have the advantage of knowing "the good ole days." and the interpersonal relationships that were created pre-internet. Therefore I do believe we have a responsibility to teach children about the proper way to interface with these technologies so they can use them responsibly and with integrity. It is still important to understand the value of relationships, even virtual ones. In the olden days when you stuck your foot in your mouth, it was embarrassing until your friends or coworkers forgot. Today your faux pas can be seen world wide in seconds and will not go away. As with most things and especially with technology, there is always responsibility to understand how to use it correctly. I have become painfully aware of my own inadequacies in this area. "Necessity IS the mother of invention" so as a teacher I am determined to improve my technology base in a hurry because I see the importance and advantage technology can serve in the classroom. Teaching children that technology is a tool to help them in their learning process is key.
ReplyDeleteShelly says....This video was a very thought provoking piece. Technology has changed lives- for the better in most cases. Students are using technology every day. It is an avenue that most educators are not capitalizing upon. It takes time, effort and money to stay current.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is just one more tool, an effective one, that can be used to change how students think, perform and produce. It is going to become more and more relevant in the future. Educators should be actively searching and implementing technology wherever they can in their instruction.
I disagree with the video that we don’t adopt or adjust to new innovations. I think students are growing up with technology, so they are teaching themselves how to use them. We need to use the tools students are already interested in as modes for instructing them. Teachers also need to explicitly teach students how to use technology safely and effectively to benefit them in the future. I agree with the video that schools need to invest in these technology tools and they also need to invest in the training to help teachers learn how to use them.
ReplyDeleteTechnology makes it easier for teachers to develop learning tasks emphasizing creation, manipulation, innovation, and knowledge construction. Technology is also a useful tool to engage and motivate students.
I think technology can be specifically beneficial for special education students. Technology engages and motivates these students, but it also gives them a method to communicate. Through using technology tools, students with special needs are given a resource to make school less frustrating.
This video highlights the need for teachers to use varied and educational technology tools in their classrooms. Our students will need to know how to work with tools that do not yet exist; while we cannot teach with tools that aren't currently available, we can encourage creativity and ingenuity with what we do have. Teachers need to be willing to experiment with new technology and the ways it can be used for education. Modeling our own learning about technology for students is a powerful way to show them that learning is a lifelong process and technology can be used in many, many ways. Sure, blogger is a way to share your daily thoughts with friends and family, but it can be many more things as well. Twitter is a place to share what you had for breakfast, or a place to collaborate with other professionals and have meaningful conversations. Facebook can be for goofy photos and status updates, or book clubs and extracurricular activity information centers. Encouraging students to find creative uses for the technology they currently use and incorporating those uses into classroom learning is essential in preparing them for the 21st century workforce.
ReplyDeleteFrom Alee, This video highlights the need for teachers to use varied and educational technology tools in their classrooms. Our students will need to know how to work with tools that do not yet exist; while we cannot teach with tools that aren't currently available, we can encourage creativity and ingenuity with what we do have. Teachers need to be willing to experiment with new technology and the ways it can be used for education. Modeling our own learning about technology for students is a powerful way to show them that learning is a lifelong process and technology can be used in many, many ways. Sure, blogger is a way to share your daily thoughts with friends and family, but it can be many more things as well. Twitter is a place to share what you had for breakfast, or a place to collaborate with other professionals and have meaningful conversations. Facebook can be for goofy photos and status updates, or book clubs and extracurricular activity information centers. Encouraging students to find creative uses for the technology they currently use and incorporating those uses into classroom learning is essential in preparing them for the 21st century workforce.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jo Ann, I completely agree with the video about how it is our duty to teach children by using the technology that is available today. But simply using the technology is not enough. We need to teach our students to think critically about what they use and how they use it. We need to teach them safe, appropriate, and ethical uses. As we teach our students, we also need to keep parents informed as well. And, public school educators also need to keep in mind those students who do not have access to technology outside of the classroom. Special considerations/accommodations need to be made for those students.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, my first reaction to the video was, I really hate the white lettering with the fade-in effect. It was difficult to read at times. Then I started looking for inaccuracies in the content, but what I found was truth. Students are ready and eager to use technology in their classrooms. They need to be led, not held back or left to their own devices because of uneducated educators. Not only is the demonstration of technology important, but also teaching critical analysis of students' own use of technology and sources of information. Just because a piece of information is in print on the internet does not make it a valuable or credible source. It may not have been reviewed by anyone other than the author. Every piece of technology and source of information needs to be analyzed until it is found to be useful and/or credible. This is why we need mindful teachers of technology.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with this video. All of the new technologies that have been created help us collaborate, work, learn, and communicate more effectively. Why not use this technology to our advantage in the classroom. The video mentioned that new technologies affect what we do in our leisure time. If our students are playing games on home computers, cell phones, etc., why not teach them the tools/means of using these devices for learning school curriculum inside and outside of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteSchools must not simply put technology in their classrooms and expect that teachers know how to use it. I agree with the video in that schools need to invest in the training and tools to keep teachers up-to-date and familiar with what is being installed in their classrooms. If the teachers feel comfortable with the technology that surrounds them, they are more likely to incorporate it into their teaching.
Technology is here to stay and we must utilize it appropriately or risk leaving our students unprepared.
Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don't use technology will be replaced by those who do.
~ Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach
I believe this video is correct in it's message, but I also believe that students need to understand the "slow" method of how to do things. There are so many kids that can't do simple math without the use of a calculator, so when they don't have the technology around to use they freak out and don't understand what to do. I also believe that schools need this technology to keep the students engaged. They are so overstimulated by technology that if teachers are not using new technology, they will lose their students' focus. Students can do so many more creative things with their projects and presentations with having varied technology. If a teacher did not know how to use a type of technology, a student could always be a great example because they often know more about it than the teacher. A teacher can use this enhanced technology to really vary instruction.
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing to remember is to make sure to teach students the proper way to use technology in a way that would help to enhance education. I also have found out that you need to speak with the parents to make sure they want the students to use certain technology such as taking pictures and being on the internet. This is most important with younger students.
The video seems very basic for one which is promoting the use of technology. Ironic, in a sense. Basic white lettering with pictures of technological advances fading in and out. Could it be that it was done on purpose to show the ease of using something like iMovie to create a short educational video? Yes. Showing caution about not "over-doing" it just in case someone might think this was made by a large corporation for the purposes of selling an idea which could ultimately lead to products? Possible. I do not think this was made for those purposes, and, thus, not biased by a company. It did seem, to me, though, that the video was making it to be that technology is the only means by which education advances. True, partially. I agree that technology is a tool by which education can take place, but knowing how to use a tool and why this tool could be used must also be part of it. You could build a house with hand tools, like it was done for centuries, or you could use more modern power tools. Both ways will get you a product, but it must be shown, and taught, the advantages of using the latter. It's no different in education. The smart phone is a tool of great power, but much of that power is ignored by most. Showing people (students) the power that something like a smart phone has for the purposes of learning, both guided and autodidactic, is what is important.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the message that the video speaks about. Teachers need to have professional development so they can feel that they know how to use it effectively in their classrooms. Students usually are way out in front of teachers in using technology. This would be a great time to model to students the idea of being lifelong learners. If teachers can learn from their students they may even be able to use technology more effectively.
ReplyDeleteThis class is awesome.
ReplyDelete