The other night I was once again lost on Twitter. I started with checking out the social studies chat (#sschat) and listening and reading links to blogs and other articles discussing best practices in teaching social studies with technology integration. Then I came to an article, that led me to another article, that led me to another blog post, etc. that was discussing how pre-service or aspiring teachers are not being trained and/or educated with the necessary tools in technology integration and are not prepared for the demands of today's students, principals and districts.
Overall, the tone of the article just seemed so negative. Clearly, there is a lot of truth there, however. Without my one (and only) technology course at the University of Akron with Garth Holman, I would know next to nothing. BUT, how did these new innovative educators learn about technology themselves? Didn't they start somewhere? The argument of the article was mostly focusing on teacher education programs, but what is out there in the world now, was nonexistent when some of most cutting edge teachers were sitting in a methods course.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the negativity is tough to digest. I would label myself a pre-service teacher that is trying. I feel like I have a better grasp on technology than most pre-service teachers in my situation, as well as many practicing teachers at the building I am in now. BUT, I am by far an expert. Another blog post I was reading was about using technology not just for technology's sake. That is something I am working on, and endlessly trying to improve. But the original article failed to leave a suggestion, solution or even propose an idea to connect the disconnect. Basically you finish reading it and feel as though hope is lost....new teachers will never be equipped with the knowledge of ed tech. Period.
Then, to add to this sentiment, when taking the PLT this weekend there was a question that stuck with me...it was something along the lines of "How do you stay connected to the most up-to-date practices in the classroom?" and the answer choices were: your district curriculum guide, government documents, mentor teachers or something else that I cannot quite remember. Twitter or educator blogs were not possible answers, and neither was professional development courses. So to qualify for a teaching license I also must learn and memorize that the most cutting edge practices in education come from my teacher education programs. So can you blame us pre-service teachers? What are we supposed to do?
My best advice is to keep working and trying! So many of us are learning as we go through trial and error. Go ahead and get lost on twitter; read all of those blogs and follow the best people and learn and read as much as you can. There is hope! Start bookmarking or blogging about great finds or start files with all of the great articles and technologies you have read about. Show what an innovative and hard-working teacher you will be. Keep the hope alive.
Overall, the tone of the article just seemed so negative. Clearly, there is a lot of truth there, however. Without my one (and only) technology course at the University of Akron with Garth Holman, I would know next to nothing. BUT, how did these new innovative educators learn about technology themselves? Didn't they start somewhere? The argument of the article was mostly focusing on teacher education programs, but what is out there in the world now, was nonexistent when some of most cutting edge teachers were sitting in a methods course.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the negativity is tough to digest. I would label myself a pre-service teacher that is trying. I feel like I have a better grasp on technology than most pre-service teachers in my situation, as well as many practicing teachers at the building I am in now. BUT, I am by far an expert. Another blog post I was reading was about using technology not just for technology's sake. That is something I am working on, and endlessly trying to improve. But the original article failed to leave a suggestion, solution or even propose an idea to connect the disconnect. Basically you finish reading it and feel as though hope is lost....new teachers will never be equipped with the knowledge of ed tech. Period.
Then, to add to this sentiment, when taking the PLT this weekend there was a question that stuck with me...it was something along the lines of "How do you stay connected to the most up-to-date practices in the classroom?" and the answer choices were: your district curriculum guide, government documents, mentor teachers or something else that I cannot quite remember. Twitter or educator blogs were not possible answers, and neither was professional development courses. So to qualify for a teaching license I also must learn and memorize that the most cutting edge practices in education come from my teacher education programs. So can you blame us pre-service teachers? What are we supposed to do?
My best advice is to keep working and trying! So many of us are learning as we go through trial and error. Go ahead and get lost on twitter; read all of those blogs and follow the best people and learn and read as much as you can. There is hope! Start bookmarking or blogging about great finds or start files with all of the great articles and technologies you have read about. Show what an innovative and hard-working teacher you will be. Keep the hope alive.