Jessica: Changing Her Luddite Ways

This past weekend, I attended the California League of Schools (CLS) Technology & RTI Conference. The opening speaker was Will Richardson. His inspiring message challenged all teachers to become students again. He referenced a rather fabulous quote by Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, relearn.”

Richardson opened with two stories, the first about his daughter’s history exam questions on the middle ages and the second, about a young man who had created a name for himself as a cinematographer. The latter was essentially self-taught, having learned all he needed to know about video editing through online communities. These people represent two kinds of learners - those learning what they are told to learn and those learning what they love to learn.

Which type do you inspire in your classroom?  This is a wonderful question to pose to a room full of educators, and a difficult one to answer. I’m sure we would all appreciate having passionate learners in our classroom, and appreciate it even more if we were the source of inspiration. This is not always easy, though, when we’re beholden to state and federal expectations on what we should teach, and in some school districts, even how we teach these topics may be dictated.

It’s sobering to consider Richardson’s words that we’re educating students of the 21st century to be prepared for the 20th century. Fortunately, after his session, I proceeded to spend the rest of the weekend learning about different ways to introduce technology into the classroom in a meaningful way that enhances the standards. This was a mind-boggling experience in that I couldn’t believe all the free options that existed for me right now to integrate technology into lesson plans - and equally mind-boggling that most of this technology would probably be obsolete in another year.

This is why I ask all new teachers to decide now: are we going to keep up with technology or not, knowing that saying yes means we are agreeing to a lifetime of sitting in the learner’s seat. It could be the best decision we ever make.

One of the last questions Richardson posed was whether our students would be able to tell him how much their teachers know. If you asked my students if I am smart, how much I know, etc., they would (I hope) say, oh sure, Miss knows about multiplying and percents and reading. If you asked them how I learn, though, I doubt they’d have an answer.

That’s about to change. I am shedding my luddite ways and embracing new technology. More importantly, my students will move alongside me, learning as we go. If you truly want your students to excel as 21st century learners, then you are acknowledging that technology must be included. Educators often teach through modeling. It’s time to model learning.

P.S.  This post is the first of several covering some of the sessions I attended at the CLS Conference. I’ll be doing the same for the CEC 2012 Convention & Expo to be held April 11-14 in Denver. If you haven’t registered yet, you don’t want to miss the educational and networking opportunities you’ll find there.  Register by March 19 and save $50 off of onsite registration!  In the meantime, follow me on Twitter @AllRileyedUp.

Comments

[Mackenzi]

Toni,

I agree with you on the governor. I also feel like technology is highly effective when correctly implemented. I currently teach to a student on homebound (health related issues) through skype. I am thankful we have a strong technology department. Have you ever thought about writing a grant to receive Ipads for your classroom?

[Jessica]

You are right!
We have to make the decision to be learners right along with our students. This applies to many aspects in teaching. As everything changes so much we have to change right along with it.

[Toni Wilkinson]

I agree with you completely on how teachers must be continually learning to be considered a highly qualified 21st century educator. I am currently enrolled in a master's program and I am amazed how much information I have processed in just four classes. Technology is definitely an area I must make a point to improve in order to assist my students. Technology skills will be an area educators should spend a "lifetime of sitting in the learner's seat". With that being said, my school is behind in technology and my students have limited opportunities to implement their technology skills. I am always in hope the technology situation in all our state schools will improve when our current governor is out of office. His decisions concerning education has not been in best interest of students, parents,schools, and teachers. I am looking forward to a new administration and new positive educational decisions.

[Manna]

I totally agree with how schools deal with the technology issues. In this 21st century technology is very important from an early age. I teach the younger age and to be honest with you'all they are more advanced than me reagrding iphones and ipads etc. I also agree that we teacher need to be educated more in dealing with technology in the classroom. Starting next year on, our district is planning to have all the assessments on-line. It is a pleasure to say that our schools are enrolling teachers to sign -up for these technogloy classes.

[Bailey]

The state in which I attend college has recently added a technology component to the lesson planning standards. When teaching a lesson, whether it be in a university classroom or during a field experience, the teacher must use technology. There is even a specific rubric that is set up for this technology component. The university is providing the candidate teachers with E-Learning classes, in which they teach many of the current technology resources to be used in the classroom.
I also believe that students today are in the 21st century, while many teachers and schools are stuck in the 20th century. I am so glad that my university is preparing me to use technology in my classroom. My professors really emphasize the importance of technology and how students are 21st century learners.
What are some of the best resources that you have found to integrate technology into lessons?

[JoAnn Irrgang]

Veronica, We could be from the same place. Our "laptops" are 10 years old!!! The kids have better hardware than teachers do! My problem is that I teach Exceptional Children with Significant Disabilities, who historically don't have much in the way of technology. Our district says they are broke and when they did get money they never asked us what we needed......we will never get ahead.

[veronica walker]

You hit the nail on the head!
We are teaching our children to be prepared for the 20th century; although they live in the 21st century.
My fifth graders all come with cell phones that put my cell phone to shame. They all have at least two email accounts and several other social network accounts.
I applied for a grant for IPADS and KINDLES for my classroom. The reason (I was told) I did not receive this grant was because our (very highly rated) district can't accommodated them.

SO, I asked if I could begin a blog where my students respond to comprehension questions from a book in class. I just received their blessings since August.

Our school districts preach they want us to teach technology to our students, however, our technology is stuck n the 20th century and our children are in there 21st.