Why should teachers be up to date with the latest technology trends?!
“Technology is transforming society, and schools do not have a choice as to whether they will incorporate technology but rather how well they use it to enhance learning” (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory & Illinois State Board of Education, 1995).
This is a question that many teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for numerous years, ask either themselves or their peers. Why, if teaching ‘worked’ without technology, should we try to have the latest technology trends in our classrooms and daily lessons? There are many benefits to supplying students, even at a young age in elementary school, with ample opportunities to both see and use technology in their everyday worlds!
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By using word processing skills in elementary school, students are more prepared to type their papers and projects when they get to middle school, high school and even college!
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By allowing students to use powerpoint presentations to display their work, they are dealing with real world applications of technology that can prepare them for future careers.
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The more they see technology, the less scary it becomes and the more comfortable they are with using it as a means for presenting their projects and/or data.
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By using the computer to aide in presentations, students are also getting more practice with speaking in front of large groups, which is a skill they can carry with them throughout their schooling careers!
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Using technology programs (such as united streaming, powerpoint, etc) actively engages students. Instead of just listening to a lecture based presentation, they are directly involved in the class notes!
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Students can use distance education to provide resources and cultural information about students from other countries!
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Students can access places to take virtual field trips to give them a hands on learning to concepts being taught in class.
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math sites can provide better understanding of skills through the manipulation of different resources on the web.
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helps provide collaboration for students in order to have them learn and/or teach others
Despite all the oohs and ahhs of using technology in the classroom, I do agree that it can’t be the only means of learning for students. If it is, students will miss out on valuable lessons in grammar, reading and problem solving skills. Technology must become a part of the whole learning process supported by the teacher and the classroom routines.
Tony Hopkinson creates an interesting blog which many people posted back to about whether reading, writing and arithmetic are still important enhancing technology world. Check it out and see where you stand!
