Does this look any different than any other school out there today? At first, you might think yes because students have their own desktop, but of the thirty minutes I spent in this classroom, 20 of it was spent filling out reading logs, silent sustained reading, and shuffling worksheets from one student to the next. As a school described as a Technology High School, I found computers for nearly every student, equipment for every teachers, and skills that did not go far beyond the lowest levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. I watched as classes supposedly used multimedia to reinforce the curriculum, but it was more of the same. Teachers read a book with students and then reinforced the plotline and history with a MOVIE!!!!! I asked the teachers how much of the movie would be shown. “We’re going to watch 20 minutes of the movie…” I was relieved to hear that…but then she continued with “…each day until we finish it.” This isn’t promoting higher order thinking, contributing to the greater good of a global community, or nurturing ICT skills or digital literacy. So I have one question, what would you do to support this school’s endeavor to become a technology enriched environment?

In response to a blog post by Karl Fisch, I agree 110% with what he has to say. Any one that labels themself an educator and refuses to learn ways to implement technology into daily instruction (providing the technology is available), should lose their license. Yes, I know that’s extreme, but if we want to provide students an education to make them ‘globally competitive’ and ‘future-ready’ we just have to get down to it and ensure that teachers receive the highest quality professional development. Don’t just offer technology instruction in isolation. After all, we don’t work in technology isolation. Hey life, hold on a minute while I go check my e-mail and pay the bills online. NOT!!!!

Each day, I set my mind on the task that when someone needs my help, I give to them. I do this with one thing in mind – educate others so that they might be able to help themselves. Give them the knowledge and confidence to tackle problems when they encounter them. Today’s education system no longer needs to cram information into student’s brain, but we need to show them how to dissect information and use it in meaningful ways. Critical thinking is vital to learning today.

So as we as continue down the paths of technology and education, we have to make sure that teachers focus on becoming technologically literate. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Try something new and celebrate your successes. From that, you will only move forward.

If you haven’t read Karl’s article, then please do so – and share it with others – after all it’s been around for more than a year.

By the way, here’s a shot of Karl I took at NECC this summer: