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I’ll be the first to admit
that I was reluctant to consider the shift of adding
technology to the classroom. I felt as though we teachers
could lose sight of the personal connection and the role we
play. Yet, now I’ve come to accept the I’ll be the
first to admit that I was reluctant to consider the shift of
adding technology to the classroom. I felt as though we
teachers could lose sight of the personal connection and the
role we play. Yet, now I’ve come to accept necessity of
incorporating it into the curriculum. It doesn’t have
to be the center of the curriculum, but itcertainly can play
a role in teaching students some basic skills in
communication, research techniques, critical reading and
etiquette. Most importunity, it can be aligned to the
Arizona Standards of reading and writing.
Researching
Skills
By learning to research through the
Internet, a student can learn techniques involved that will
help down the line. For instance, students can find
information about a certain topic or about how to get the
cheapest plane ticket. A student can also learn to find
necessary phone numbers, bank on-line, find out who his
congressman is. The Internet also provides access to places
many students couldn’t otherwise go. The pictures
available of other countries or of landmarks in history are
abundant on the Internet. A student can get a better idea of
a lifestyle across through the digital cameras throughout
the world and even see the Egyptian pyramids live via
webcam. This may even encourage a student to want to travel
or research the country further.
Reading
Skills
An important skill accompanying
research is the critical skill of learning to sort fact from
fiction and data from propaganda. With a teacher’s
direction, after having researched several topics and
practiced this reading skill, the student will have the
competency later in life where it could become critical.
Another important reading skill is prediction which a
student will constantly have to do based on the name of a
website, the graphics that appear, and the summary provided
by a search engine. Additionally, a student will learn to
summarize main ideas in order to take accurate
notes.
Writing
Skills
Not only is reading practiced, but
writing as well. With technology, a student can learn to
word process, create power point presentations and write
memos. These are all marketable skills in the job market. By
giving the students assignments such as research assignments
concluded with a report or power point, they will master the
craft.
Communication Skills
As I look over documents that show
what the job market is looking for two qualifications often
arise - communication skills and ability to work in a group.
Many on-line assignments, using Web quests for example,
require students to work in groups. Again, teacher guidance
and coaching is the key. A teacher needs to provide the ins
and outs, but the students will put those into play by doing
an assignment using technology. A student who has a lot of
technology strength may finally have a way to help his peers
and feel good about his abilities. Good collaboration is the
key to strong final products. Secondly, by allowing the
student to use e-mail, the student learns etiquette involved
in communication via Internet. This has become the foremost
means of communication in many businesses and the student
needs to feel comfortable in responding to e-mails as well
as initiating them. E-mail is not only one on one
interaction but can also involve conferencing which allows
the sharing of so many ideas.
Creating
Excitement
Last of all, the Internet can
create excitement in many students. I think most students
are interested in mastering the ability to surf the Web and
may not have the means to do this at home. Therefore, the
students who do not have access to technology at home will
be excited to learn a new skill they hear so much about
while the students who do have the knowledge and know-how at
home will feel pride when they are able to help their peers
navigate around the world of the Web.
Getting
Over It
So, although there are a great many
barriers in our way to get the hardware, software, training
and support needed for such a huge undertaking as getting
all students prepared to enter the technology world which
awaits them out of school, it is slowly happening. We can
safely assume that with the pushes from our Federal
Government as well as the influence from our businesses,
that eventually more and more schools will have the funds to
get their school running in the new ways of the 21st
century.
Despite my young age, I am already
an old fashioned mule. Yet, I am reluctantly seeing the need
to open myself up to the inevitable. Hence, I am on the road
to being equipped with the knowledge I’ll need to be
the best teacher I can to my students. necessity of
incorporating it into the curriculum.
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