The new tech generation has been hailed as the saviour to education. New apps, tech-based curriculums, and web-based assessment software have been created and developed to make the lives of those entering education as a teacher easier. “The use of technology during whole-class instruction can foster student engagement for auditory and visual learners. Integrating simple technologies such as Power Points, games, internet homework assignments, or online grading systems can be difference makers in students' growth in the classroom”, (School of Education, 2020).However, for some this new educational outlook brings in fear and dread.
When Confucious, (561 B.C.) the grandfather of education, first began his work in education in ancient Greece, he did not have revolutionized technologies or a standardized curriculum. He instead used passion and knowledge to impart learning to those with a thirst for education. Although perhaps not all of us who are technologically inept are as old as Confucious, the use of technologies in the classroom, at times, make us feel that way.
The second teacher is the technology tourist; the casual teacher who embraces technology but only as a teaching aid or to perform a task that requires technology. I think these type of teachers need more trainings on how to use technology effectively in teaching and make learning happen through it. If they know the right ways of using technology in Education then they will understand how technology makes teaching job and learning for students easy, time saving, productive, convenient and efficient.
The third is the technology novice; the teacher that feels as if technology makes the job harder. They dread the need to use technology and wish that they can follow the past and put technology out of the classroom. Furthermore, they believe that technology has negative influence on child's personal, social and emotional develpoment. “Technology could change education negatively through four paths: deteriorating students' competences of reading and writing, dehumanizing educational environments, distorting social interactions between teachers and students and isolating individuals when using technology”, (Alhumaid, 2021).
It is my opinion that technology does indeed have a place in the classroom. Distance learning is a reality in 2022 and most likely, going forward. Without these technologies, 2020-2022 would have seen generations of students one to two years behind in their education. Technology has allowed us, as teachers, to continue to engage our students in education. However, for someone who is not as technologically minded, I believe the shift towards technology-based classrooms has been a disadvantage to me. My training, as a teacher, was not based in technology. Additional training and postgraduate, has allowed me some knowledge in how to involve technologies in the classroom, but the shift to technologies is a huge one. Schools and universities must ensure that future teachers are taught the resilience to embrace technology. Employers should offer training and advice to those who are disadvantaged by technology and ensure that they are given the best possible opportunity to understand how to best utilize technology and create an effective learning environment.
Reference List
Alhumaid, K.
(2021). Four Ways Technology has negatively changed education. Journal of
Educational and Social Research. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from
https://www.mcser.org/journal/index.php/jesr/article/view/10526
The European Business Review. (2021, October 28). The positive effects of technology on teaching. The European Business Review. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/the-positive-effects-of-technology-on-teaching/
School of Education. (2020). How to integrate technology in the classroom. School of Education. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/
It's interesting how you elaborated on the David White's model of digital residents and visitors and tried to classify teachers. Which type are you? Why?
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started teaching, I was more a digital visitor type of teacher. I used technology to introduce a topic through presentations in the class only.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am a digital resident in teaching and in my personal life as well. I do my class attendace on the computer through "Alma" app, I write email if I need to ask someone for anything (gmail, outlook), I use ready materials from internet for my teaching (youtube, pinterest, twinkl.co.uk and etc), I use ipad to do my student's assessment on "Tapestry", I communicate with parents through "Class Dojo", I am connected with my friends and relatives through "Telegram", "Facebook" and "Instagram", I check my own children's progress at school through "Kundalik.family", I keep tracking my little one's (1 year and 4 months old) development "Baby Sparks", I do payments through "Pay me", "Apelsin" apps. So, now, I can't imagine my life without these digital sources because they make my life so easy and interesting.