Technology in the 21st century classroom should be as integrated in the fabric of a classroom as the desks and chairs, which may be the only things that stay consistently recognizable in the not so distant future of education. With e-readers and the myriad applications of cell phones, there may be a day when teachers are no longer correcting papers but correcting e-papers. Technology has become a fixture in today's children's lives and educators need to be aware of how technology can enhance different learning styles and teaching methods. While I do think there is too much paper used in the course of a school day, I can envision a time when textbooks are not handed out but e-readers and students will read the text, and take the test all on the same device.
Technology is now just another basic skill to add to the traditional reading, writing and arithmetic curriculums. There are no more excuses to avoid integrating technology into lessons because technology is a prominent feature of the 21st century lifestyle, and it must be assimilated in the classroom as much as it is at home, in our cars, in how we communicate and in every aspect of our lives.
So why have I been so resistant in embracing new technology? Why do I feel contempt for Twitter? While I do have a Facebook page I rarely post and I see it more as a communication tool to see what my daughters are up to or what's going on with long distance friends. I know that on a scale of 1 to 10, one being someone who does the minimum email and only uses a cell phone in emergencies and 10 being a completely immersed technophile, I am about a 3. I know that there is much more to read and discover on the internet than I have ever sought out because I still go to the library once a week to take out books. I cannot give up my books although I know other book lovers like me who have grown enamoured with their Kindles. I'm sure one day I will be too but for now I won't give up my lifelong weekly visits to the library.
No comments:
Post a Comment