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I recently read Learning from the Met: Teachers as Digital Learners from The Tempered Radical by Bam Bam Bigelow. Here are some things that stood out to me (but you can get more if you read the original article). My thoughts are in italics below each item.
1. "Every year, MetLife churns out an impressive report titled Survey of the American Teacher. Based on one-to-one interviews with 1,000 classroom teachers, 1,000 students and 500 principals, this year's survey---released yesterday and available online here---"documents current attitudes, examines trends and considers future implications" influencing teaching and learning in the American classroom… "
This was a very interesting survey so if you get a chance to read it, please do and notice the trends that are noticeable.
2." The results of the survey, however, were not terribly surprising: Teachers just plain haven't embraced digital forums for personal growth. "
I think teachers are cautious and have seen too many fad programs out there. I think sometimes many feel this digital world is just another fad that will disappear over time. Unfortunately I think they are wrong because I don’t feel this is going to go away. And the longer we stick out heads in the sand and ignore this new world, the further disconnected we will get.
3. "While I can understand the conflict that American teachers feel about these tools----we talk about how important it is to find ways to learn with technology while districts ban any kind of communication between teachers and students in social networking forums and suspend teachers for poor judgment in their personal communication----these kinds of trends should concern everyone who cares about education. "
Teachers should be encouraged to explore these tools and figure out ways to teach our students digital citizenship. By learning how to use the tools and ways it can improve our lives, we can help the students use them responsibly too. I believe that when the automobile first came out, that society frowned on the use of them when young people used them irresponsibly. Then eventually we started to teach our young people how to drive responsibly (Driver’s Education classes came about). The automobile wasn’t going to go away and neither is technology.
4. "Here's why: Because our students have embraced digital forums: I've always been taught that responsible educators try to tailor learning experiences that align with the interests and motivations of their audiences simply because increased levels of motivation most often result in increased levels of learning. If that's true, then digital forums for communication and growth simply must begin to find a home in the American classroom."
When educators refuse to learn digital forums for communication and growth, it is like showing up at school today with a horse and buggy because you refuse to learn how to drive. The world is constantly changing and educators need to be able to look at the big picture and see the changes that are coming. We need to be the “go to” people for our students and not the “left behind” people.
5. He then goes on to ask, “Is it alright to be a technologically illiterate teacher?”
Absolutely not. I think that teachers need to take the initiative in learning more about technology. I know teachers have heard about blogs and things like Twitter since it is all in the news. If they don’t know what these are, they need to find out about them and see how they can use them. I read blogs daily in order to stay current on education topics and learn about other tools that are out there for the classroom. By reading blogs, I get inspired and motivated to try new things. By joining Twitter, and Plurk, I have developed a Personal/Professional Learning Network (PLN) that offers support and encouragement when I need it. I have been able to bounce ideas off of others immediately and get feedback on these ideas. I have grown so much professionally by being around other educators and learning from them. As an educator, we need to constantly grow professionally so we don’t become stagnant. It is not acceptable to be technologically illiterate anymore. I feel it is also impossible to be this way and still be a successful teacher.
Original image: 'Students working on class assignment in computer lab' http://www.flickr.com/photos/27315689@N00/622612084 by: Michael Surran
1. "Every year, MetLife churns out an impressive report titled Survey of the American Teacher. Based on one-to-one interviews with 1,000 classroom teachers, 1,000 students and 500 principals, this year's survey---released yesterday and available online here---"documents current attitudes, examines trends and considers future implications" influencing teaching and learning in the American classroom… "
This was a very interesting survey so if you get a chance to read it, please do and notice the trends that are noticeable.
2." The results of the survey, however, were not terribly surprising: Teachers just plain haven't embraced digital forums for personal growth. "
I think teachers are cautious and have seen too many fad programs out there. I think sometimes many feel this digital world is just another fad that will disappear over time. Unfortunately I think they are wrong because I don’t feel this is going to go away. And the longer we stick out heads in the sand and ignore this new world, the further disconnected we will get.
3. "While I can understand the conflict that American teachers feel about these tools----we talk about how important it is to find ways to learn with technology while districts ban any kind of communication between teachers and students in social networking forums and suspend teachers for poor judgment in their personal communication----these kinds of trends should concern everyone who cares about education. "
Teachers should be encouraged to explore these tools and figure out ways to teach our students digital citizenship. By learning how to use the tools and ways it can improve our lives, we can help the students use them responsibly too. I believe that when the automobile first came out, that society frowned on the use of them when young people used them irresponsibly. Then eventually we started to teach our young people how to drive responsibly (Driver’s Education classes came about). The automobile wasn’t going to go away and neither is technology.
4. "Here's why: Because our students have embraced digital forums: I've always been taught that responsible educators try to tailor learning experiences that align with the interests and motivations of their audiences simply because increased levels of motivation most often result in increased levels of learning. If that's true, then digital forums for communication and growth simply must begin to find a home in the American classroom."
When educators refuse to learn digital forums for communication and growth, it is like showing up at school today with a horse and buggy because you refuse to learn how to drive. The world is constantly changing and educators need to be able to look at the big picture and see the changes that are coming. We need to be the “go to” people for our students and not the “left behind” people.
5. He then goes on to ask, “Is it alright to be a technologically illiterate teacher?”
Absolutely not. I think that teachers need to take the initiative in learning more about technology. I know teachers have heard about blogs and things like Twitter since it is all in the news. If they don’t know what these are, they need to find out about them and see how they can use them. I read blogs daily in order to stay current on education topics and learn about other tools that are out there for the classroom. By reading blogs, I get inspired and motivated to try new things. By joining Twitter, and Plurk, I have developed a Personal/Professional Learning Network (PLN) that offers support and encouragement when I need it. I have been able to bounce ideas off of others immediately and get feedback on these ideas. I have grown so much professionally by being around other educators and learning from them. As an educator, we need to constantly grow professionally so we don’t become stagnant. It is not acceptable to be technologically illiterate anymore. I feel it is also impossible to be this way and still be a successful teacher.
Original image: 'Students working on class assignment in computer lab' http://www.flickr.com/photos/27315689@N00/622612084 by: Michael Surran
