A Common Goal

Having worked in the field of education initially, then the private sector, and back to education, I have seen where education lags behind in the utilization of different kinds of technology to teach for different reasons.

In the private sector, updating technology and its many uses, are essential in maintaining competitiveness in the global market. Marketing by using websites to disseminate information about your company and its employees is a means to attract clients. Podcasts, video conferences, etc. are ways to stay in touch with your clients and promote your business. One is not given the choice whether or not to become technologically savvy. You will not be hired or keep your job, if you do not constantly "upgrade" yourself.

In education, there are teachers who understand the message given in this wonderful presentation, and who would love to jump at the chance to teach using all these fabulous tools. Then there are those teachers who are not comfortable with learning new technologies for their own sake, let alone wanting to teach with them, or even taking a moderate interest in how this could be done. You would think they would want to know what their students know already.

Younger teachers are those who are anxious to implement those things addressed in the video, because they have grown up using all these new technologies. They face a different problem. They are prohibited from using Ipods, cellphones, etc. because these are not allowed in school. The Information Age with all its capabilities, has also enabled some young adults to misuse these tools. One local district recently had to take criminal action against a student for using her cell phone to take inappropriate pictures and then email them to other students. School administrators have to answer to parents and the Board of Ed. on such matters.

Some school districts' budgets have been so drastically cut, they can't even repair the equipment they have. Buying into new technologies for classroom use, and implementing them in every classroom would be an ideal way to engage today's students. But, it would take a lot of effort on the part of administration to support it by seeing the advantages it can have to enhance learning and commit to funding it. Teachers need to get on the same technological wave length so that all classes are working together to make such programs work. Parents need to understand the positive effect this could on their child's learning potential, and still be willing to accept responsibility for any abuse of the technology and its consequences.

Isn't it an enigma that although we are supposed to be educating children to learn the skills that will lead them to successful employment in the 21st century, we are faced with professional, social and economic factors that prevent us from attaining that goal?