Some teachers ask, "Why should we use technology? We have textbooks, pencils, and paper...", and "Pencils don't break down on me, computers are too much trouble." A presenter at last week's Region VI technology conference gave this response, "Pencils break on me all the time... You sharpen them, and continue."
We need to stop making excuses, and sharpen our technological skills to prepare our students for the future - not the past.
We also need to have a sense of urgency when it comes to our students' educations. Our students are capable of learning from other students from around the world, so why would we restrict their learning to our classroom walls? They can collaborate, share, and respond to other viewpoints from other cultures and perspectives, so why would we limit them to their 20 classmates?
I think you are correct that we need a sense of urgency when it comes to the education of our children. They deserve the best, always. The main question I have is where will the money for all the technology come from? Here in NJ, the schools' budget has been cut by so much that many regular programs have been cut. Many kids can't even afford to pay to join after school activities and sports and the school system can't afford to pay either. The budgets have been slashed every which way. IF the school is now going to provide technology, they will have to do so in a way that the expense is not left up to the parents who may not be able to afford it either. While every student having an Ipad sounds great, who will foot the bill? If a family can't afford to pay for the technology each of their children require, how will these kids get their devices? It wouldn't be fair for some kids to go without. Just curious.Its something I have thought about and wondered if anybody had an idea.
ReplyDeleteI know that at our campus, money is definitely tight. But as our older computers are starting to crash and burn, we are finding it's been smarter to spend the money that would have been budgeted toward replacing desktops to purchase netbooks or other small laptops. The kids don't need a ton of memory, and their portability makes it easier to share the cart with several classrooms. More kids have computer access at one time, and the money has been spent in a smarter way. Times aren't AS tough here in Texas, but it's on the way. What bothers me is that what technology we DO have isn't always being used wisely... Our teachers need more training to help them know the possibities.
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