Many of the facts in this video do not surprise me. I am not a technology coordinator for my building, however, I help troubleshoot technological issues on a weekly basis. I think there are several reasons that contribute to the slow and lagging technology education.
Yes, there are older teachers who are slowly getting into the digital age. But, please do not stereotype and say they are all afraid. There are young teacher who are just as slow and afraid.
I think one of the biggest reasons is money! Look at your own laptop. As soon as you buy it, it is practically obselete! There are newer, better, and faster computers everyday.
Districts do not have the resources to replace each computer in the district to keep up with the ever changing world. I know in my district the desktop that I have is more than 6 years old! We have no idea when we will be getting updated hardware, much less software! Our computer labs were recently upgraded, so when students complete work in the lab, they cannot view it on our classroom computer. In addition to that, how many of our computers at home are equally compatible with the computers in our classroom?
Next, of course that goes hand in hand with that training! How many of our teachers really know how to effectively use their computer, the basic "Office" programs or freeware on the internet. Which leads to how often can we not download freeware without signing over an arm and leg to the district and even then we get told no.
These all get in the way of creating a digital classroom for our students. I have college interns coming to me asking me how to use basic technology!
In addition to reports of how other countries are doing it better then us - we get money cut from school budgets on a yearly basis!
Also, in addition to teaching the numerous GLCE's per subject, we have to fulfill multiple roles in our students lives, not JUST teaching them. Please don't compare us to Asian countries until you let us teach as the Asian countries teach. They do not have to teach with behavioral disruptions. They are able to teach students who are all at the same level, etc.
I am not saying I am against a free and fair public education for all students. But, are we really doing students any favors by insisting that everyone should be in the same exact environment, same exact classroom structure, with one teacher who is supposed to teach 10 different ways to meet each student's need? Why not have 10 different teachers who teach in different methods and match the students accordingly?
But, I digress.....I think it is easy to point out where we need to improve and easy to point to our lack of technology. I am waiting for lawmakers, administrators, and PARENTS to please out your money and time where your mouth is! Help us educate your child, don't just point the finger, give us merely a pencil and pad of paper and expect us to teach your child about the digital age!
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Amen! The computers in my room are from 2002, and they were purchased through money that my Student Publications class earned for over 20 years! We also had a donation that helped, but most of the money came because I always made sure the yearbook was in the black and then saved unless we had a yearbook need that the school did not address. For the past 30 years, Student Pub has been a self-sufficient class, which is hard to keep up! It is a lot of work on my part. If I were rich, I would definitely and gladly be purchasing things for the school.
ReplyDeleteI am not so sure the problem is money. In my school about 1/3 of the teachers never use the computer lab. Two reasons: They do not know how to incorporate technology into their classroom. Or they do not see a benifit in using technology.
ReplyDeleteI am sure this varies by district though.