This week I have come to the realization that no matter how much I learn about technology, there will always be more to learn. Things change so rapidly, you have to constantly be searching out the next new thing. When I found out that we were discussing social bookmarking this week, I thought that, at least this portion, would be easy for me. Then I sat down to begin the work... I have been using Delicious and Diigo for a little over 2 years now and I love them both. I try to convert everyone that I can, because it has made my life as a student and an educator much easier. However, I had never heard of Diig, Furl or Stumbleupon.
I began using Dropbox about a year ago to share larger files with my classmates and pictures with my family, but I was unfamiliar with Evernote and I had absolutely no idea what FERPA was.
It's easy to see why some of our colleagues get set in their ways. They find the constant change of technology frustrating and unsettling. I try hard to remember my absolute sense of panic and hysteria when I began this journey 2 years ago so that I can be more understanding when I try to talk about the next new thing that I want my staff to try.
Okay, now I feel really stupid. Here I was thinking that FERPA was some new technology that I had never heard of. Of course I know about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I was so busy thinking about all of the things I didn't know, and about technology in general, that I didn't stop the really think about what the question was asking us about. I guess students of all ages are the same!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how you talked about the fact that some teachers are in a rut and they will not get out of them. With a lot of this new technology it is very easy for teachers to just sign up for a program and tinker with it. They can then think about how to use it in their classrooms. It is very simple when you really think about. It just takes a little time and an open mind.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb,
ReplyDeleteI certainly feel the same way regarding how fast technology is changing and that we have to continuously search/investigate long and hard to stay current. I had no idea how easy Elluminate was to create an account in and use. Dropbox was totally new to me and I am already using it for documents that I use both at home and at school. I am going to also start using it with my wife and kids, all of whom work out of town. I am starting to work with our Library Media Specialist to find out what technology tools to use next year when my middle school Computer Apps course goes from a quarter to a semester. Certainly, social bookmarking (which one to use?), Google Docs, and DropBox/Evernote would be useful tools for my students to learn. These digital natives would love working on this cutting edge and probably even provide more great programs to use in class.
It's that ever-changing technology that always makes me wonder exactly how to go about teaching technology to middle-schoolers. I realize that by the time they are old enough to start using technology in the "real world", they will likely be using entirely different programs. But offering students (and co-workers!) all these different options can get them used to the idea of exploring technology and choosing the right tool for the job. And I think that's worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteAs a technology facilitator of sorts, I absolutely see what you are describing. At one time I would have assumed its generational, but after experiencing such a wide spectrum of technology adoption, I don't believe this is the case. Personally, I think it comes down to exposure and incentive. First, are instructors exposed to new technology in a way that is not intimidating and can they make a connection to its usefulness? Second, is there a specific need that a technology could address that will help them be more effective by investing the time to learn it? If the answer to both is yes, then the odds are good that it will be a positive experience.
ReplyDelete