When the TV rolled into class on the mobile cart, we knew it was going to be a special day. When we got to write on the overhead projector, we were secretly superior to our classmates. Now if a teacher uses those, he or she gets laughed out of the room, and not just by students.
Technology is progressing at an ever increasing rate. Most classrooms have digital projectors in them. Most students (in secondary levels, anyway) have some sort of personal device. Unfortunately, many teachers are not only NOT keeping up with it, but some are even actively resisting the use of technology in their classes.
Technology is progressing at an ever increasing rate. Most classrooms have digital projectors in them. Most students (in secondary levels, anyway) have some sort of personal device. Unfortunately, many teachers are not only NOT keeping up with it, but some are even actively resisting the use of technology in their classes.
From apps like Poll Everywhere and Quizlet, to LMS like Schoology and Google Classroom, the digital world is becoming more and more classroom friendly. Learning management systems offer a way to create either a digital or blended classroom complete with links to outside resources, tests that grade themselves, and even a way to take attendance when the school system isn't working (we've all been there, right).
Odds are, if you’re reading this article, you’re already interested in incorporating tech into your classroom. So what do we do about those who refuse to use technology in the classroom? As teachers there isn't much we can do without overstepping our bounds. Don’t be the guy who tries to tell everyone else how to do their job. Just don’t. As an administrator, you have a little more leeway. Apps like Khan Academy will not only incorporate the digital world into classrooms, but can offer great help in trouble subjects like Math, and they’re working on adding more all the time. Where a coworker can suggest an app for use in the classroom, an administrator can require use of certain apps across an entire department.
Unfortunately, there are some teachers who, even when required, will not make use of these tools. We are not advocating for their termination. A teacher should only be fired if they are either really bad at their job (and refuse to show any sign of improvement), or doing something against the law in their work. Some of these teachers will actively resist technology until they retire. Instead of trying to change people, we need to change the overall climate and technology culture in our schools so that our teachers WANT to stay up to date on the latest and greatest. We need to be discussing new ways of approaching material and using technology in our department meetings.
Staying up on technology is important, but don’t do it for the sake of doing it. There needs to be an applicable purpose to everything we use. There are few things teachers hate more than wasting an entire PD day learning a piece of software or a website that they can’t even use in their classroom. Stay up to date, and stay relevant.
Have any questions or want to contact us, click here!
Odds are, if you’re reading this article, you’re already interested in incorporating tech into your classroom. So what do we do about those who refuse to use technology in the classroom? As teachers there isn't much we can do without overstepping our bounds. Don’t be the guy who tries to tell everyone else how to do their job. Just don’t. As an administrator, you have a little more leeway. Apps like Khan Academy will not only incorporate the digital world into classrooms, but can offer great help in trouble subjects like Math, and they’re working on adding more all the time. Where a coworker can suggest an app for use in the classroom, an administrator can require use of certain apps across an entire department.
Unfortunately, there are some teachers who, even when required, will not make use of these tools. We are not advocating for their termination. A teacher should only be fired if they are either really bad at their job (and refuse to show any sign of improvement), or doing something against the law in their work. Some of these teachers will actively resist technology until they retire. Instead of trying to change people, we need to change the overall climate and technology culture in our schools so that our teachers WANT to stay up to date on the latest and greatest. We need to be discussing new ways of approaching material and using technology in our department meetings.
Staying up on technology is important, but don’t do it for the sake of doing it. There needs to be an applicable purpose to everything we use. There are few things teachers hate more than wasting an entire PD day learning a piece of software or a website that they can’t even use in their classroom. Stay up to date, and stay relevant.
Have any questions or want to contact us, click here!