Changes in Technology Affects Teachers, Students, and the Public's Future

It seems that every minute of the day I spend reading and thinking about how education is changing before our eyes. Many educators think that we haven't changed our practice in hundreds of years, but that isn't an accurate summary. Through the term remains, the "slate" has long left the classroom with the exception of it's use as a "metaphor".

When I left high school, I already had seen the disappearance of blackboards and the appearance of chalkboards. Later while at the beginning of my career dry-erase boards began to appear. Now Smart Boards are taking their place.

My teacher preparation courses were taken in the 1970's. Technology in those days was centered on the new technology of the overhead projector and film strip. Slide shows with 35 mm photos were modified and arranged to make presentations. In our teacher preparation program, our media instructor taught us many tricks to use with this bulky contraption (O.P.). They still exist in K-12 and higher education institutions, but they are being discarded over the use of digital projectors and PowerPoints.

Reel to reel movie projectors are now extinct. It's possible that some new teachers don't even remember these. Movie editing software on computers and tablets give us the opportunity to personalize. The students expect entertainment and as teachers we have to learn to skills to engage them. Some of you may be thinking that we weren't trained to be entertainers but rather as educators. But think again, the time when teachers must work harder to engage students is here and without question or hesitation.

Student response to our question is heard or seen by the teacher with a simple raising of their hand. Now electronic surveys, clickers, tablets, and smart phones make immediate response possible and visible to the teacher and the class. The ability to see individual and class responses places the teacher as a greater advantage. The anonymity gained with these devices allows the meek student to respond without fear of ridicule.

There is a need for all to enter and accept technology, especially in education. The educational environment is ready for teachers who can use the technology to reach students. School boards and administrators need to see the advantages of the use of classroom and web-based technology. They need to become smarter about making and implementing policies that protect children and promote learning with a medium that children accept. The public should put aside there fears of child exploitations to support safe and innovative instructional practices. We should go beyond teaching the basics, but integrating them in problem based initiatives that ask students to apply what they learn to become critical thinkers and innovators. We certainly need that kind of student to leave our classrooms in today's world.