After reading Riedels article on technology trends, and also the posts already made by my classmates, there was one point that really stood out to me. It is that students are outpacing parents, teachers and administrators in their ability to use technology. The article states clearly we are beyond the tipping point in relation to technology such as phones, tablets and laptops being available and being used by our students. It is therefore about how we utilize the technology, and how we educate our students to use the technology, that becomes imperative.
The reality is that many curriculums need to be updated. The majority of teachers need to update their teaching methods. Likely not the teachers or educators who are participating in this master’s course, but I’m sure we can think of several we work with, or whom may have once taught us, that are simply outdated in their role now. Students now have immediate access to information, answers and solutions from the Internet. They can access this information almost anywhere and at anytime. When I was growing up I had to memorize my friends home telephone numbers in order to call them to go and play. My family and I had to read maps to navigate ourselves around family trips. Now I dont have to memorize anything, I don't know a single phone number of a friend from memory, and when I’m traveling, I just blindly drive in the direction that Siri tells me to go.
Our education system should be revamped to emphasize the world our students are entering rather than the world we were prepared for. Classes should encourage students to use their cell phones or tablets, or school issued device to search a topic, or find an answer. Rather than fight the urge to check a cell phone during class, embrace it. Give them subject specific challenges to research or complete using the Internet, and then afterwards each student should have to present his or her findings to the class, or group. The students will gain valuable knowledge of search engines, primary source information, reputable sources and be enlightened to the content that is available to them if they look in the right place. They should then be forced to talk in front of their peers, give presentations, debate a subject, justify their answer, all life skills that will help them outside of school. Any students that were not concentrating, were just playing on their phones, will be suitably inept during discussion time.
Streamline all classes so that content can be taught online, or delivered through video’s. The classes where the teacher just shares information, and copious notes are just being required to be memorized for an exam, are no longer appropriate for this coming generation. Re-distribute the time that is being saved, and educate students on the health benefits of taking time away from their screens. The social benefits of showing attention to friends and family members, and interacting with those who are actually in the same room as you. Also spend time educating students on the risk of sharing an inappropriate opinion or picture online can have on a future job opportunity, or career progression some time down the line. As the article says the tipping point is past, now it is the responsibility of the educators to keep up with our ever progressing youth.
Simon,
You make a great point about student’s knowledge of technology surpassing that of many educators. Teachers who recently entered the profession likely have adequate training to implement technology successfully, but I have worked with many educators, who have been in the profession for decades, who are less informed. It makes sense that they are less educated in this area, but what is problematic is the individuals who are uninterested or resistant to this change. They either view technology as a distraction in the classroom or they are so traditional in their teaching methods that they are unwilling to adapt with the times. I have especially seen this in physical education departments.
I share the same beliefs that educato…
I agree that technology is always changing and since the students have always lived in a world with technology they understand it more than the teachers and parents. That makes it difficult for teachers to figure our how they can use technology to enhance learning and have students pay attention, understand, and stay engaged. Not only curriculums should be changed but maybe even state and national standards need to incorporate technology as well. Schools always seem to be the last to use the new advancements of technology and by the time they change there is some new technology that is available to use. Students need to be educated on the good and bad of technology and why it is important…
Simon,
You made some excellent points through this blog post. One of the points you made stood out to me and that was your call to making kids practice their public speaking skills in front of their peers. With the rapid advancement of technology, a decrease in communication between people is more prevalent. I worry that moving forward, the younger generations will have minimal social skills because of how glued they are to their phones and tablets. Schools that mandate their students to have these kinds of classes is an excellent way to combat this issue. Looking back, I wish I had more practice public speaking, debates, and presentations. Although in high school and college the opportunities to participate in…