Random Thoughts
What makes a well rounded teacher?
If we want it to be just what we do…
then it needs to be just what we expect!
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If we want it to be just what we do…
then it needs to be just what we expect!
I’m going to share this to start a web2.0 pro-d session with student teachers in a couple weeks.
I’ve seen a bit of a backlash against technology recently in the blogosphere. This gets to the heart of the issue… technology is no longer an option!
Educators, as David Truss writes above, technology is no longer an option. Most certainly, don’t read the graphics above the wrong way and take it that technology is one more thing on the plate.
While I know you know this, I think it’s important to mention here that teachers should use technology to transform a practice they already do or to radically improve an area in their teaching that they are not comfortable with or is outdated.
If technology were embedded as you’ve suggested before, would it be “on the plate” or already assumed in each of these slices? What’s your definition of technology? The definition I’m working on right now is this: “technology is an innovation that brings about a desired change.” If you accept that definition then anything we do that is designed to bring about desired changes in classrooms (i.e. improved student learning) is defined as a technology. So then, cooperative learning structures, instructional strategies, differentiation, and whatever else is designed to bring about a change is a technology. We then have machine based technology, non-machine, text based, etc. I agree that well-rounded teachers need to be able to bring the use of computers into well structured instruction but that puts all the emphasis on the machine alone. I think we’re beginning to see that it’s not really the machine but how the use of the machine benefits student learning in positive ways.
I love your graphic images here Jeff. They simplify the progression of teacher expertise.
To quote “Anne Galloway, 2004 – Guide to Critical Thinking (http://tinyurl.com/2xx3o6):
“Thinking is not driven by answers; thinking is driven by questions.”
How can educators do their students a justice if they’re not using technology… ?
How are educators keeping up with what’s happening in the world of ‘learning’ if they’re not tapping into the world of social networks?
When will our ‘educational leaders’ understand how web 2.0 will revoluation learning for teachers and students alike?
Allison Miller
twitter: theother66
It’s really interesting to see how we accept that techknowledge is no longer a desirable extra but should be an intrinsic element in every teacher… It’s just a shame that there are still so many teachers who shy away from trying the tools that are available.
Perhaps we need to remind those who are scared that the pupils they are teaching are NOT scared, and are already embracing the tools… but without effective guidance and mentoring from educators, they are going to make many mistakes with potentially far-reaching consequences. It is incumbent on us as responsible educators to learn about these tools (Bebo, MySpace, Facebook, flickr and so forth) so that we can help guide those we teach. This is not a time for fear, this is a time to accept that our role has broadened… our pupils deserve nothing less.
[…] put the word Technology in the circle without defining exactly what that means. It was great to see commenters pick up on this fact. My point in doing this (I think) was to look at how we define technology when […]
It is time educators realize that technology is no longer optional. Yes, you must use technology (for collaboration and creation) in order to be a good (well-rounded) teacher.
[…] met (f2f) before, but Jeff Utecht is in My Neighbourhood. I actually used the images from one of his posts for my Brave New World Wide Web Slide Show then […]