http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-p-chavous/in-a-digital-learning-sta_b_1432577.html
This article sums up our class perfectly! It is a rather short article but it discusses the need to overhaul the education system in America to align it with the digital age that our students are facing.
I think this quote from the article sums it up perfectly, "Today, our kids are spending their time with hi-tech video games, on the Internet and mastering smart phone usage. Too often, their knowledge extends beyond even that of their own teachers. Digital learning is the new disruptor and a game changer for education. But, like all innovations, it must be channeled to the end-user's interest. If we do this digital learning thing right, we won't have to recruit techies from India or China, we can recruit them from the barrio and the hood."
Kevin Chavous, the writer of this article sees the imminent need for technology in the classroom, not just for the students, but the teachers need to be able to keep up and understand the digital age. The NETS-S/NETS-T are essential to this closing the gap of understanding. Our class has taught us that we need to be in the know, utilizing current technological tools with our lessons, not only for our students who need extra enrichment, but for those who have a knack for technology who may not exactly be equipped with the tools to pursue that interest.
Shelby, I feel that both your article and your post show the advancements and changes that we are making in schools. We, as teachers, must acknowledge our students successes and knowledge in terms of technology. I can already imagine that my students will be much more proficient with technology than I am - as I still prefer printouts and taking notes on paper. My main concern with the movement toward tech-based schooling is that it not make worse the education gaps that already exist between affluent and target districts. Guiliana just posted to her blog a video where it appeared that the teacher had a large range of technologies, but as acknowledged in the article, the boy who had envisioned the iPad didn't have enough technology to develop his skills. As teachers, we must envision ways to bridge this gap for the benefit our student.
ReplyDeleteShelby,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this article with us! The quote that you pointed out is especially important. The kids that we will be educating are from an entirely different generation than us, as hard as it is to believe. I see many children as young as five years old with not only video game systems but iPads, iPods, cellphones, and laptops as well. Though we have learned to use technology as we got older, they have been completely immersed in it their entire lives. It is important to consider this when we are devising lesson plans and even attending curriculum meetings. These students will learn differently and this pattern will repeat as newer generations reach school. It is important for us as future educators to keep up with the changes that will surround us and adapt to find the best teaching strategies to reach all students.