Education in the 21st century will be centered around technology more and more -- that is an indisputable fact. How we, as educators, choose to react to that fact will determine, to a great extent, our success in the classroom.
Today's child has only known a world filled with gadgets, cell phones, sophisticated video games, plasma TVs, and the Internet. How, then, can we expect that child to be engaged in the classroom of 1965? "Traditional" teaching methods and materials still have their place in the classroom of today. However, if we truly want to reach every child, we must embrace the endless possibilities offered to us by the unique vehicle of technology.
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to observe a teacher in my school use PowerPoint for the very first time. This teacher was a bit nervous about trying out something new in front of 25 techno-savvy 8th-graders and the assistant principal, but plunged right in nonetheless. It was fascinating to see the reaction of the students when the lights went off and the first slide appeared. Every head in the room pointed toward the screen, and students were engaged for the remainder of the lesson. The kids heartily applauded at the end of the presentation!
Immediately following this class, our school began its daily 10-minute break. As I exited this teacher's classroom (after having told her what a great job she did) I noticed that students in the room across the hall were surrounding the SMARTBoard in our popular geography teacher's class. It turns out that they chose to spend their break playing a geography game that challenges them to find places as obscure as Huntsville, Texas, on a map of the United States. The teacher proudly told me that the high scorer was a formerly struggling student. Once the lesson was tied to technology and a game, the learning really began!
As humans, we are inclined to avoid that which we do not understand. My band students will typically respond to a difficult musical selection with statements such as "I don't like this piece" or "This is stupid." We are no different. However, we must not allow the fear of technology to keep us from exploring its possibilities. To do so would chain us to the past, prevent us from reaching our potential as teachers, and do a grave disservice to students who will be expected to use technology in the workplace upon graduation from college.
It is imperative that we as school leaders equip our teachers with the technological tools necessary to reach their students. More importantly, it is critical that we provide our teachers with the ongoing professional development to make them more comfortable with using that equipment.
Is technology the answer to all of the challenges facing educators? Absolutely not. Is it the only method that we should use in our teaching? No. However, we know two things that should encourage us to embrace this marvelous tool: 1) Kids love it, and 2) It is here to stay.
Keep pressing onward and upward!
PS -- For an insightful article along this same line, see
this post from Leader Talk.
