Embracing Technology (CTF Report)

In  September  Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty sparked a  string  of  debates among  Canadian teachers,   students, parents, and  the  public at large  with  his  comments  about  the  use  of cell phones in  the classroom.  Initially negative images were conjured up in people’s  minds:  students  texting and  messaging  during  class  time, cheating,  causing  interruptions and  discipline  issues  —   until the media   started  talking  to teachers.

In  our  world of  growing technologies,   rapid   sophistication  of these  technologies,  and  innovative practices, it  only makes sense to  incorporate these technologies into our classrooms. Whenever teachers can find a true educational  purpose from any type of  innovation that  students can learn and benefit from, they will embrace it.

I  was  so  impressed as  I  listened  to  and watched reports  of teachers already using  cell phones, iPods, and social media networking tools such as Facebook,  but was even more impressed as I listened to how they were using them with their  students:  group discussions, organization skills, voice recordings, digital art  projects, tools for  special  needs  students.  Students teaching teachers the logistics and teachers teaching students how to  make connections with and apply the knowledge they’ve acquired  – and this is just the beginning!

As with anything new, however,  this does not come without  challenges. We must be cognizant of  issues such as  equity,  training  opportunities, health and, of course, misuse. Parents are already worried about the cost of these items. Who will be responsible for  providing them for  students? Parents? School  boards? Ministries of  education? Will it  require fundraising efforts on the part of the school? Will teachers end up contributing  from their own pockets, only to increase the $453 they already spend (on average) on classroom supplies?

As we advance our knowledge and capabilities, teachers will need professional learning opportunities to keep up  with the rapid changes, and the newest teaching and learning strategies. They will need time to exchange and share  ideas with each other.  There have already been concerns about health issues that accompany  the use of current technologies. What  effects  will  new  and  emerging technologies  have  on  our  teachers and  students? One of the biggest  issues now –  the misuse of technology – is sure to cause stress and anxiety for the whole school community.

All  of these concerns will require the school community to work together. Education and communication are  needed to address these concerns, and an understanding  of the appropriate  uses of technology  is crucial to the  success  of its use in education. Just  as  graphic  calculators and  computers crept  into  our  everyday language and  use  in classrooms,  so, too,  will these new technologies. It’s  called visioning for the future and teachers have a huge role to play in it.  They are creative, innovative and are on the cutting edge, and they will  be the  leaders, as  these great educational resources unfold.