Technology is an important tool in the learning process. Today's students don't want to learn from somebody that speaks in a monotone voice and stands with a piece of chalk in front of a classroom. Students these days have access to vast resources of information that the previous generation didn't have. To keep up with their students teachers must keep up with the ever changing technology.
When I become a teacher I know that I will have keep up to date with technology. I will create my own web site and will allow students to have access to practice problems, old tests, and have links to web sites that can be useful. Practice problems would not necessarily need to be printed. I would allow the students to solve the problem on the computer and then the program would allow students to see whether they are right or wrong, what mistakes they made.
Like in the video, Integration of 21st Century Skills; Hygrology I would require each student to use a laptop with access to the internet. Science is very much dependant on technology, and the two are interdependant on each other. Being a science major, simple things like creating your own blog, web page, or power point documents is nothing like working with half a million dollars machine during analysis of substances. If you plan on getting a degree in science having a laptop and using it to learn is a must.
When I become a teacher I certainly would look for a school that would have access to newest technology. I would have no choice, because I feel that if I don't keep up I will end up like the teacher in the video, which after 30 years of teaching finds herself relying on students on help with technology. These days either you keep up or you are Darwind out of the race.
Marcin
You are correct - it is about engagement. Could technology make teachers irrelevant? At their fingertips are resources they can access through Google.
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