Recently, I was able to survey twenty different teachers and administrators. I asked how much they knew about the technology they have available within their classroom. Fifteen out of twenty staff members knew about the majority of the technology in their classroom, and how they can incorporate technology in their lesson plans. One of the teachers that did not know how to use all of the resources stated, “I was expected to know how to use everything in my classroom when I started.”
Nineteen out of twenty teachers said it would be beneficial for them to know how to update and problem solve issues with the electronics in their classrooms. After surveying everyone, I learned that most schools had a technology staff member, but it was hard to get him or her in their classroom. It seemed that the school had technologist in a school of over one thousand students. It is hard for the technologist to get to every classroom that needs help within a timely matter, since they have so many classrooms needing help. Twenty out of twenty teachers mentioned they would be willing to attend a seminar that will help them understand everything they have to work with.
The worse part about teachers unaware of how to use technology or how to fix their technological issues, do not have the ability to incorporate technology in their lesson plans. Unfortunately, the lack of technology used within a classroom can be a disadvantage to their students. After talking to five students that were in a less technological advanced classroom compared to five students in a technological advanced class, the students were on different levels of how to type, research, and take notes. The students in the class with a lot of technology were able to write papers with more resources in a more efficient amount of time. Also, they were able to get more out of lectures because they could type quickly as the teacher spoke, instead of trying to keep up with handwritten notes.
I did learn that some teachers did not use technology as much because they thought it was a lazy way for students to learn. They still required their students to use only book resources in the library, and hand write all of their papers. Honestly, I believe that children who are not taught with technology have a harder time with upper level classes. For example, students in college only use computers for the majority of their education. Personally, I would be unable to get through college courses without my past technological knowledge.
After speaking to the twenty teachers, they said, “A technology foundation should be created for students in elementary school.” The students agreed that they wish they knew more about technology before they got to upper grades. As a teacher myself, I try to incorporate some time of technology in my lesson plans daily, or at the very least on a weekly basis.
My questions for other teachers are: How do you incorporate technology in your lesson plans? What types of technology do you use in your classroom? Do you have any suggestions on the type of resources that would be helpful to give to the students?
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