The article assigned for reading was, “Unleashing the Future: Educators ‘Speak Up’ about the use of Emerging Technologies for Learning.” This is a very good article to read to acquire more insight about what is happening with education; what is the trend that education is taking in our present day society. Project Tomorrow, has collected the views of teachers, administrators, principals, students in grades K-12, and even students taking college courses in education . The survey was conducted in all 50 states and in all areas; rural, urban, and suburban areas.
My major focus is in the interpretation to what is meant by having a, “Digitally-rich learning environment”. Students are already experimenting and learning how to use digital devices. Now we have smart phones where students can add,” apps” to their phone, search the web through their phone, and also go on “skype” to take a class with someone who is from another country. Students are developing skills at home that can be applied and used in a classroom setting . According to “Speak Up”, future teachers want to use more digital resources, like teaching aides and software. Future teachers want to use more digital media devices, in contrast to veteran teachers who focus their teaching on digital resource like software; where, they teach math, reading and science.
It is promising to see the involvement of future teachers and see that there is a recognition that more has to be done to incorporate more digital devices into a classroom setting. Future teachers are preparing themselves by taking the necessary classes to prepare themselves. These are the devices that must be given more consideration; such as podcasts, virtual classes, and using digital resources in a lesson. Veteran teachers must also raise the bar and become more informed with regard to the use of these devices within the classroom.
The assessment made by “Speak Up”, can keep us motivated and well informed as to the direction that education is taking with regard to a, “Digitally-rich learning environment”.
Virginia! As a future teacher I am worried about this aspect of my job. It is easy to open up a book and do a lecture but now a lecture consist of many digital elements like you said. I have to not only to able to be knowledgeable in all this new technology but be able to teach my students as well. It becomes more about what you do with the curriculum now in days than what the curriculum is.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the teaching profession has become more what you do with the curriculum than simply what the curriculum is. But I think this can be more important than that. With the rate of expansion in new technology the future is sure to be full of devices outside of our general thought. To be able to harness these devices students must understand the processes involved to use them. It is not only teaching the curriculum, but also teaching to be technology savvy.
ReplyDelete