The teachers at PHS exploring staff development and creating an on-line learning network
Monday, February 18, 2008
Good reading
Read this blog entry from Bill Ferriter. He succinctly states in this blog many things that I happen to agree with. Warning, the blog itself takes some time to read, but I think it is well worth it. The comments are also valuable! What do you think?
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Dave,
Glad that y'all found my blog on teachers, technology and time. It certainly is the constant challenge, isn't it?
After all, I think we all recognize the importance of preparing kids for a digital future----and I think that teachers generally are excited about the motivational potential of digital tools.
The challenge is learning how to translate those tools into high quality instruction. Simply using tools doesn't benefit anyone....teachers or students. But translating new tools into productive instruction ain't easy---especially when you've got to master the tool first!
So teachers end up overwhelmed...then we resist....then we reject....then our kids end up bored and disengaged.
How do we break the cycle? What steps do we have to take as classroom teachers to show that we're open to new tools, teaching and technology...we just need the time and training to make these tools a part of who we are and what we do?
I agree that teachers need more time, and I also agree that those outside of the educational institution have no idea what we really do and have very little respect for what we do. However, teachers are their own worst enemy when they constantly complain about their jobs and resist change at every turn.
It is a difficult transistion when many teachers lack the time or knowledge to truly incorporate technology. That being said, we should all realize (and I'm constantly reminding myself)this is NOT an all or nothing situation. One does not have to incorporate every piece of technology, nor does one have to ignore it. What we must do is incorporate it at a pace and level that is comfortable to the individual. I have been very frustrated with all the technology talk and the fact that it is all I can do to get an overhead projector that works. After banging my head for several weeks, I have focused on integrating technology where and when I can. A project here and assignment there. This has helped me realize that incorporating technology is a process that will take time. While it may seem like a slow process, many of us will look back in a semester or two and realize that we have made huge strides in the amount of technology we use in our classrooms. We may even think the transition was(somewhat)painless.
3 comments:
Dave,
Glad that y'all found my blog on teachers, technology and time. It certainly is the constant challenge, isn't it?
After all, I think we all recognize the importance of preparing kids for a digital future----and I think that teachers generally are excited about the motivational potential of digital tools.
The challenge is learning how to translate those tools into high quality instruction. Simply using tools doesn't benefit anyone....teachers or students. But translating new tools into productive instruction ain't easy---especially when you've got to master the tool first!
So teachers end up overwhelmed...then we resist....then we reject....then our kids end up bored and disengaged.
How do we break the cycle? What steps do we have to take as classroom teachers to show that we're open to new tools, teaching and technology...we just need the time and training to make these tools a part of who we are and what we do?
Interesting questions...
Bill
I agree that teachers need more time, and I also agree that those outside of the educational institution have no idea what we really do and have very little respect for what we do. However, teachers are their own worst enemy when they constantly complain about their jobs and resist change at every turn.
It is a difficult transistion when many teachers lack the time or knowledge to truly incorporate technology. That being said, we should all realize (and I'm constantly reminding myself)this is NOT an all or nothing situation. One does not have to incorporate every piece of technology, nor does one have to ignore it. What we must do is incorporate it at a pace and level that is comfortable to the individual.
I have been very frustrated with all the technology talk and the fact that it is all I can do to get an overhead projector that works. After banging my head for several weeks, I have focused on integrating technology where and when I can. A project here and assignment there. This has helped me realize that incorporating technology is a process that will take time. While it may seem like a slow process, many of us will look back in a semester or two and realize that we have made huge strides in the amount of technology we use in our classrooms. We may even think the transition was(somewhat)painless.
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