Why can't we use technology more effectively in schools?
Are our students college and career ready?
I look at this picture and see lots of technology, but are they using it to their advantage?
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scientiamtech.com%2Ftechnology-page.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tes.com%2Flessons%2Fp5ZhxuMkWWka_Q%2Ftechnology&docid=NBry7QVK8L8yAM&tbnid=gEo05syQkXfoSM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwj_k9-sw5TZAhVK2oMKHerTAdUQMwi-Aig1MDU..i&w=540&h=405&bih=667&biw=1366&q=technology&ved=0ahUKEwj_k9-sw5TZAhVK2oMKHerTAdUQMwi-Aig1MDU&iact=mrc&uact=8
So instantly after reading the article and finding this picture on google, I began to reflect on my students, classroom design, classroom technology and of course my instruction. Many people that come to my house call me a Geek. I love technology and its possibilities.
Let's talk about my students' for a minute. Most are technology deprived partly because they come from low socio-economic status. Secondly, our schools do not have enough technology for each student to use during class. Finally, between slow or non-working technology and wifi that does not fully work aid in our students falling behind with college and career readiness. I agree they are not college ready and lack technology skills.
If we had 1:1 technology in every classroom in Chicago Public Schools, I believe we could begin to close the technology gap. More teachers would probably come into the technological error because it would be more of a demand. Right now, they have plenty of excuses not to be more technology literate.
According to an article in Project Tomorrow (Speak Up) ( http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/ ) , two-thirds of parents in the fall of 2016 from all types of communities (urban, rural, and suburban) believe that if their child or student received effective use and training of technology in the classroom, it would help them meet the challenges to be college and career ready. I don't disagree. I believe it to be true.
In order to become more effective with using and teaching students responsible ways to access and use technology, teachers require proper training and resources. So many classrooms lack technology and resources. As a teacher, I'm teaching myself through trial and error to learn to use new technology. It would be great if Professional Development opportunities were presented for technology. Most Professional Development Days are Administrative directed.
Project Tomorrow also, states that "56% of parents of school aged children noted that they are concerned about their child not learning the right skills in school to be successful in a future job or in college." I share this concern. The article also states that "in April 2016, only 37% of high school seniors in the United States are ready to tackle college level reading and only 25% can handle college level math in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments." I trust in these figures as well. During my nine years as a high school teacher, I received special education students and witnessed general education students entering 9th grade with a 3rd grade reading/math score and ability level. It was haunting that this could happen to a student. I can't blame the teacher alone because we as teacher are not alone in the educational process. This is so much greater than that. It is about funding (adequate number teachers and staff per school), training (teachers and parents), resources (textbooks, updated technology, and other resources).
Let's look at how training parents might help students meet the target. If you train parents to monitor homework, read to their children and provide them with access to learning coaches for their children and themselves, we may just make a difference. We have lost generations of students that did not become college and career ready. In Chicago, they have gotten rid of the Vocational Schools which I attended in the late 70"s. When I left there, I was on my to become a nurse. I made it all the way to the end and decided I wanted to become a teacher. It's okay that I changed my mind, because I had other options. I went on to complete them and became a teacher with many endorsements. This can not be left on teachers shoulders alone. This is societies issue. Until we recognize this everyone issue, our students will stay stagnant in college and career readiness.
How can we close this gap? Think about it and please leave a comment.
I look at this picture and see lots of technology, but are they using it to their advantage?
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scientiamtech.com%2Ftechnology-page.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tes.com%2Flessons%2Fp5ZhxuMkWWka_Q%2Ftechnology&docid=NBry7QVK8L8yAM&tbnid=gEo05syQkXfoSM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwj_k9-sw5TZAhVK2oMKHerTAdUQMwi-Aig1MDU..i&w=540&h=405&bih=667&biw=1366&q=technology&ved=0ahUKEwj_k9-sw5TZAhVK2oMKHerTAdUQMwi-Aig1MDU&iact=mrc&uact=8
So instantly after reading the article and finding this picture on google, I began to reflect on my students, classroom design, classroom technology and of course my instruction. Many people that come to my house call me a Geek. I love technology and its possibilities.
Let's talk about my students' for a minute. Most are technology deprived partly because they come from low socio-economic status. Secondly, our schools do not have enough technology for each student to use during class. Finally, between slow or non-working technology and wifi that does not fully work aid in our students falling behind with college and career readiness. I agree they are not college ready and lack technology skills.
If we had 1:1 technology in every classroom in Chicago Public Schools, I believe we could begin to close the technology gap. More teachers would probably come into the technological error because it would be more of a demand. Right now, they have plenty of excuses not to be more technology literate.
According to an article in Project Tomorrow (Speak Up) ( http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/ ) , two-thirds of parents in the fall of 2016 from all types of communities (urban, rural, and suburban) believe that if their child or student received effective use and training of technology in the classroom, it would help them meet the challenges to be college and career ready. I don't disagree. I believe it to be true.
In order to become more effective with using and teaching students responsible ways to access and use technology, teachers require proper training and resources. So many classrooms lack technology and resources. As a teacher, I'm teaching myself through trial and error to learn to use new technology. It would be great if Professional Development opportunities were presented for technology. Most Professional Development Days are Administrative directed.
Project Tomorrow also, states that "56% of parents of school aged children noted that they are concerned about their child not learning the right skills in school to be successful in a future job or in college." I share this concern. The article also states that "in April 2016, only 37% of high school seniors in the United States are ready to tackle college level reading and only 25% can handle college level math in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments." I trust in these figures as well. During my nine years as a high school teacher, I received special education students and witnessed general education students entering 9th grade with a 3rd grade reading/math score and ability level. It was haunting that this could happen to a student. I can't blame the teacher alone because we as teacher are not alone in the educational process. This is so much greater than that. It is about funding (adequate number teachers and staff per school), training (teachers and parents), resources (textbooks, updated technology, and other resources).
Let's look at how training parents might help students meet the target. If you train parents to monitor homework, read to their children and provide them with access to learning coaches for their children and themselves, we may just make a difference. We have lost generations of students that did not become college and career ready. In Chicago, they have gotten rid of the Vocational Schools which I attended in the late 70"s. When I left there, I was on my to become a nurse. I made it all the way to the end and decided I wanted to become a teacher. It's okay that I changed my mind, because I had other options. I went on to complete them and became a teacher with many endorsements. This can not be left on teachers shoulders alone. This is societies issue. Until we recognize this everyone issue, our students will stay stagnant in college and career readiness.
How can we close this gap? Think about it and please leave a comment.
Great points on the statistics you featured. Love the idea of training parents.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteThank you
DeleteI feel like you and I teach at similar schools. My students will be expected to compete for college placements and jobs someday, yet they'll certainly be far behind other students, even other students in the same city, because they'll be less familiar with technology. It's such an unfair way to start adult life.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I'm passionate about my students succeeding, but the system isn't.
Delete