After a wonderful discussion about students and technology at a conference this past weekend, I was delighted to receive the youtube link below from a conference attendee. Our conversations as a group centered around the role, place, and intent of technology in the classroom. I presented on the topic of meeting our students digitally to allow education to surpass the traditional walls of higher education and engage our students in new ways using digital means. It was an exciting! But it was also a slightly disturbing conversation as there were several judgments expressed about our students today that were not flattering and many expressed "blame" toward the role of technology. Yesterday a fellow attendee sent along this link that I think many educators should review. Love it or hate it, technology has become a way that students learn and engage, so consider how you are evolving as an instructor. Are you shaping your teaching to meet the students where they are? Do you find yourself willing to try new modes of communication with your students? Even if you feel intimidated or uncertain, are you open to new processes of learning? Check out this video and share what you think.
The direct link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&NR=1&feature=fvwp
This video is a bit sad but so very true! As educators most of us do not prepare for new ways of teaching media and technology in education. I find that most of it is happening in early childhood education. Most of the classrooms I've observed in the early childhood arena are taught by teachers who have been teaching now for more than 30 years and sad to say but when I introduced technology in the classroom many of them rejected it or was intimidated by it. My question is how do we get those teachers, that specific group of educators, to embrace new technology in order for our kids to grow?
ReplyDeleteJovon-
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! I agree that early childhood education offers a great place to examine how teachers are adapting to technology. I think the same response is happening in higher education. I think we should partner and peer mentor those who are technologically open and those who have shied away from technology in the classroom. Then we can learn from one another and stay open to new pedagogical opportunities.