Teachers, Are You The Problem With Technology

Teachers must incorporate technology since students are 21st century learners. It's all teachers hear. "Be sure to utilize technology." "Lecture only won't cut it." "Where's your smartboard?" "How many computers are in your classroom for students to use?" Teachers hear it constantly. Educators are aware that technology is here. They even understand students prefer playing with technology over completing homework assignments and studying for tests.

On the other hand, if teachers are not prepared to utilize the technology in the classroom, then where is the value? Let's address some questions. Are teachers prepared to utilize it? Are they provided adequate introduction and training to the equipment? Do they have time to learn how to use it? Teachers, you must make time to engage in technology. Do not be afraid. Children want to be able to use it. Wanting students to be engaged requires changing the dates on those lesson plans, incorporating differentiated instruction, and meeting the needs of all those students in that classroom.

Repetitive professional development days, fear of facing the facts and future, and spending Winter Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Spring Break at home, shopping, etc, and not seeking ways to engage students is detrimental to a classroom. When teachers lack the necessary tools needed for success, should they be blamed for the reason students aren't effective 21st century learners?

Times Have Changed - Should Teachers?

It is evident that times have changed when it comes to education. Where has it changed you asked? In homework. In attire. In respect. In consequences. In parental involvement. Lack thereof or too much. The list goes on. Teachers became teachers years ago for obvious reasons. Why? They wanted to make a difference. Now, is that true today? Teachers are facing the same issues no matter the District. Here are some: -Students not doing homework -Students being disrespectful to teachers -Students not reaping consequences for their actions -Parents "holding up" children's actions -Parents absent from their children's lives -Parents expecting much more of a teacher -Drugs and weapons in school from elementary level on up I'm sure some are saying "Not my child! Not my child!" You could be right. It's not all but a vast number of students are apart of those changes. Everyday brings on new visions for teachers. They dont know what to expect from day to day. They may face an excessive amount of emails from parents. It may be another trip to the principal's office. It may be getting cursed out by the student. It may be another day of a student having no supplies. When does it end? How does it end? Times have changed. I can remember speaking with my aunt, Ruby Lee Thomas, some years ago and I asked, "Did you ever think you would be dealing with some of the issues you deal with when you went into teaching?" Her reply (replying sadly) "No." You have some teachers questioning their effectiveness. Teachers used to be able to call home and action was taken. Guess what? Action wasnt just taken at home, but at school, and church as well. Everybody was involved in raising a child. Not now. Times have changed. Who would even think of a child (elementary level) even thinking about USING profanity with a teacher? It's commonplace now. Discipline? Teachers cant do what they used to do. Times have changed.