A Vision of Students Today
I have some of the same experiences as these students had, but not all of them. My college years started at a junior college. The largest class I had was about 35 and all my teachers knew not only my name but what kind of person I am. Since I have transfered to South Alabama I have had only one class larger than 40 and that is the only teacher that didn't know my name.
I do relate to these students in the aspect of managing my time though. I did play baseball in junior college and that in itself is like a full time job, therefore I didn't have much free time after I did all my school work. Most of my free time was spent sleeping. Now that I'm at south I still have to manage my time wisely. My day starts with class at 8 a.m. and ends with work at 7 or 8 p.m. five days a week. Not to mention I still have homework to do, so I do not have much free time.
It's Not About Technology
Mrs Hines hit the nail on the head when she says teachers are to be learners. How can students be expected to learn from the teacher if the teacher can not lean from his/her students. From personal experience when I can show a teacher something, and he/she listens and understands it shows me they care about me and I'm more willing to listen to what he/she has to say. If a teacher doesn't pay me any attention I am more likely not to listen to him/her. It shows they do not care about their students and are teaching just for a paycheck.
I also agree with Mrs Hines that teachers do not have to be technological for the students to be successful in the classroom. For example if a teacher doesn't know how to use a smart board don't use it. Half the class time will be spent figuring the smart board out. Teachers can be effective without technology. The secret is to show the students that you do care for them and listen to what they have to say. If you show them respect they are more than likely to show you respect, and learning will become enjoyable for the student.
Is It ok to Be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher
My first question to this blog is what is technologically illiterate. If that means a person can not open a web page or send an e-mail than I agree with Mr. Fisch post, but if it means for a teacher to know how to use something like blackboard than I will have to disagree with Mr. Fisch. I do understand the point he is trying to make that people are proud by not knowing computers. I would say that people are not proud, but that they are just scared to learn and they act proud so people can not see their fear.
I disagree with Mr. Fisch when he compares the importance of reading with the importance of computer literacy. Yes, technology is important, but not as important with reading and writing. All teachers should know how to do the basics technological things like e-mail, word processing, power point, ect, but I would say some things are not that important for them to learn.
Gary Hayes' Social Media Count
This is amazing at how many people are using technology at every second of every day. Sometimes I forget that the whole world isn't in the central time zone, and have the same sleep pattern as I do. The world is constantly going, and it never stops. People are becoming more and more technologically advanced every day. I will admit I'm not caught up in all the gadgets of today, but sometimes I think these can be a distraction for some people. I do not want to be that person who has internet or some kind of application on my phone and never puts it down. These can become addictions just like drugs and alcohol. When I go out with friends that have an iphone they are playing with it for the whole time we are together. That is ridiculous. Yes technology is good if used in the right way but it also can become an addiction.
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I think that being able to expose our students to technology tools is a way to help them learn skills to be more flexible. Ultimately the thinking skills students learn are more valuable than the tools. On the other hand, ignoring technology is a very dangerous proposition for our students.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that technology can become an addiction. I, too, have friends that have no idea how to put their Iphone down. I actually considered getting one. Then i realized that if I had one, I know I would stay online all day, every day. I would probably even stay on while I was at school, and that would probably NOT help my grades!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I asked the same question about technologically 'illiterate' people. I think that some things (computer wise) are not important for a child to get a good education. Sure, it can help, but its not a necessity. I agree with what you say about how children are more willing to learn when their teacher actually acts like they care. To me, this is more beneficial to a child than new, upgraded technology!
i know exactly what your talking about when you mention people being addicted to technology and i completely agree with that being a bad thing. I have a friend who talks on his iphone more than he does us when we o out and it does get annoying. But i do think you need to know how to use these devices and gadgets because i gurantee they all can be beneficial to you in some way or another.
ReplyDelete"I would say that people are not proud, but that they are just scared to learn and they act proud so people can not see their fear." I think you are probably correct.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a tool or tools. If we, and our students, are going to succeed in this technological world, then we must know what tools we can select from, when to use them, how to use them, and when not to use them.