In the article,
iTeach & iLearn, Tim Van Soelen describes the classroom as a very different place than it was a few years ago, explaining how technology has been a major contributor to this change. He sites Marc Prensky's concepts of
digital natives and immigrants which outlines the differences between those who are comfortable with the tech environment and those who are not. The learning environment has changed for our students in three areas:
- it is moving online (e.g. classes)
- it is becoming more personalized (e.g. there exists individualized learning paths for students)
- it is becoming ever more engaging (e.g. through gaming such as Angry Birds to teach physics)
In this new environment, the author states that teaching will not become obsolete; rather, teachers will have to adapt using characteristics common to good teacher--engaging, exploring, exchanging. He states teachers should embrace the term lifelong learners and that schools should provide teachers with opportunities to learn. This includes making technologies and technology coaches available.
Our schools should be providing teachers with time and space to use technological tools to compose ideas; research new information; reflect on their practice; and communicate, network, and collaborate with other teachers, as well as time to create. p.22
I leave you with a final quote of a vision of a 'textbookless' future:
Imagine students reading about what happened this morning in Egypt in their social studies online textbook! p. 22
This is one of the strongest arguments for using classroom technology I have found so far as it's both engaging and current.
Select references from the article:
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