Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Let's Get Digital

In the past few days conversations with colleagues about where we are with technology in our building have been bothersome as our building which was opened six years ago with the idea of being a 21st Century school remains behind the curve of integrating technology into our classrooms.  During our PLC time over the years it seems like the word technology is taboo even with younger teachers who should be part of this "digital age".  Yet, like many Social Studies teachers they continue to lecture like many of our professors did in undergrad.
Having studied e-learning during grad school, I have been a large proponent of integrating more technology into our classrooms.  Cellphones, I used to confiscate all the time, fast forward to today and they play a role within my room.  This article from the Washington Post's Answer Sheet discusses the alleged "digital natives" and the fact that they are vast consumers, but not creators or curators of content.  Teachers are no better in this area either as we seem to either consume or control with our use of technology. If we want them to use it effectively and efficiently then we cannot assume that students are technologically able to do everything we ask of them from creating a presentation riddled with bullets and as much text as possible to discussion forums for class where "I agree with..." is considered a post.
Thus my building goal is to integrate more teachers into integrating technology by continuing to put the bug in Admin's ear about mandating a teacher technology boot camp for our staff.  Likely this will face resistance from some colleagues, but if we as teachers who are supposed to be lead learners will not model life long learning, why should the same be expected of students!