This article attempts to examine, rather than the immediate
benefits of information and communication technologies in the classroom, the
nature of the environment and individual which is able to effectively
incorporate such technology into an effective learning environment. From this
perspective, the article analyzes preservice and inservice teachers as having
different backgrounds and separate obstacles to overcome when it comes to
incorporating technology effectively. The article offers numerous suggestions
and ideas on how both the teachers and their environment may be modified to
overcome these obstacles.
For
preservice individuals, the authors suggest sufficient background to the point
of that instructor’s criterion be ultimately based on the ability to
effectively teach with technology. To do this, it is suggested that these
teachers be exposed to methods for and examples of effective technology
incorporation within the classroom.
Inservice
teachers are acknowledged as having greater obstacles to overcome, I that they
may be set in their methods and introduction of outside technology to a
seemingly functional environment would be understandably unappealing. To
overcome this, introduction to successful models as well as a tiered system
recognizing the progressive importance of familiarity, expertise and personal
belief as necessities for successful inclusion. I doubt I do the entire article
complete justice here, but hope I hit on the key points.
My most
pressing concern for the ideas expressed in this article is that effective
teaching is not reliant upon the mastery of applicable technologies. The
article seems to state this several times and I completely disagree. The
article, in fact, makes several allusions to the ineptitude of any instructor
who is not using technology effectively within the classroom, which I do not
believe sets prospective or current teachers with a helpful mindset nor do I
believe is true in any way.
What I
do believe, and an argument which the article makes well is that teachers
should make every effort to expand and adapt their lesson plans to changing
times, which will likely include the effective incorporation of new
technologies if the students are to gain the most benefit from their classes.
It may be difficult to see how these are particularly different ideas, but in
my mind they could not be more opposed. On of these concepts encourages
personal growth and continued learning while the other disparages instructors
who may work very hard and have different emphasis on what is important for
students to learn in their classroom. Whatever you definition of effective
technology in the classroom, It need not incorporate only cutting edge devices
as a means to being relevant to the world. Quite the contrary, technology will
only ever be a medium by which we can better (or worse) express ourselves
within a discipline.
While
that dichotomy frustrated me a bit, believe the authors here have compiled a
highly effective outline for how to encourage yourself and others to be more
progressive in the incorporation of technology within the classroom. I believe
this has rendered me more aware as a potential instructor and look forward to
taking these opportunities in my professional development.