A New Project!

Recently I read a journal called “Project targets new teachers’ tech use”, by eSchool News staff. This journal is about a new study that Indiana University School of Education is embarking on. This $3.1 million study focuses on how current and emerging technologies are being used most effectively in classrooms, and how best to prepare new teachers to use these tools. In order to complete this study Indiana University is teaming up with a Vienna, Va. Based technology consulting firm. They titled this project “Leveraging Education Technology to Keep America Competitive”. This study was designed because society has been criticizing that with all of the technological advancements teachers are not changing the way that they teach, and it’s not change the way that students learn. The hopes for this project are that the results will help direct federal policy toward technology in education.

My first thought after reading this journal was “It’s About Time”. I was getting tired of reading journal after journal criticizing teachers on the lack of technology begin integrated into the classroom. I am so happy that finally someone is taking some initiative in correcting this problem. Hopefully the results to this project will show us, (teachers, principles, parents, government, etc.) what we are or are not doing correctly in the classroom. After we see the results then hopefully we will be able to work together to better educate students and teachers and “Keep America Competitive”.

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Comment by Christina on November 28, 2007 at 6:33am: Hi Jessica,

I agree that it is about time. I think that there is so much technology out there for teachers to use. One of the problems is that some schools can not afford to purchase the technology for their school. Other schools may not be able to find the training that they need to educate the people on how to use the technology. However, the schools that do have the ability to use technology should be recognized. I feel that it is a bad generalization when people say how teachers are not using technology. I feel that if the administration says you need to use technology in your classroom, the teachers will not have a choice if they want to use it---they would have to use it. Also, some teachers say they just do not want to learn how to use it. This statement makes me mad because teachers should always be willing to learn. I mean isn’t that what education is all about? Our society changes over time and all people need to learn to adapt to changes. If teachers are not willing to change how they do things, maybe they should not be in education. If they are not willing to use technology they are being almost selfish. They are not giving their students the chance to see how beneficial technology can be and how it can help students learn in different ways. I hope to see more grants and funds given to schools in order to be able to get technology and train people on how to use it.
Chrissy

Comment by Michaelene on November 29, 2007 at 4:32am: Jessica,
It really is good to see that someone is taking initiative to provide feedback to these new teachers. However, don't you think that colleges and universities should be offering classes similar to the one we are taking now to undergrad education majors? I graduated from college in 2005 and the only "tech" class that we were required to take was a basic core class that was required freshman year, where we learned how to use Microsoft Office applications. I don't know if things have changed since then, or if other colleges/universities had more computer requirements, but maybe it would help if there were someone to teach these new teachers how to effectively incorporate technology into their classroom. I've learned about so many different technology tools since starting this graduate program, and I think it would be great of some of these techniques were taught in undergrad.

A New Project!

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