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A reflection on changing times
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Sixth
grade teacher and technology coordinator from Harris Middle School,
talks about how she sees technology in the classroom as a catalyst
for improvement. Technology opens up the sharing of ideas among teachers.
By Betsy Norris
Some teachers whisper in the hallways about the differences of modern
education. Some teachers that have taught many years express their
concern as to where education is headed. "Too much to do and
too little of it seems subject oriented," they complain. They
elaborate on the endless and impossible list of daily tasks: they
must instill a sense of pride in a student's ethnicity; modify disruptive
behavior, observe students for signs of abuse; fight the war on drugs
and sexually transmitted diseases; check their backpacks for guns;
and raise students' self-esteem. They should teach patriotism, good
citizenship, sportsmanship, and fair play. They are to ready students
for today's world by teaching problem solving and technology skills.
Then there's another group of teachers, not whispering and muttering,
but joyfully shouting! These teachers also understand that there's
much to teach, much to share, and too little time. They understand
and appreciate the differences of today's classroom in comparison
to one of several years ago. First, they are excited about the chance
to use the many resources of the Internet to teach about diverse people,
which helps restore a sense of pride and self-worth in the minds of
diverse students. A history teacher's dream come true! These teachers
also embrace the chance to take virtual field trips, motivating students
to see and become involved in the "real life" pictures and
sounds of another country.
In addition, these teachers learn how computers can actually help
resolve discipline problems and address student issues. For example,
one such teacher requires word processing of her students' journals.
It's nothing extravagant, yet what you don't see is the Guidance Counselor
upstairs, counseling a young student for a drug problem that came
to light as the result of the daily computer journals. Some of us
may not notice the slow, maturing changes taking place in the students'
lives as a result of their use of technology. For example, the students
that have an e-mail mentor are beginning to understand tact and responsibility
in their learning process.
These teachers do understand that by doing, seeing, and experiencing
content in new ways, students benefit. Some of these teachers have
the pleasure of watching the classroom's "problem child"
blossom in front of the computer, a tool with infinite patience. Some
students are in the computer lab right now in fact, working on a presentation
that will become their first successful school experience. Students
with and without disabilities, students with attention or behavior
disorders, or those who are not yet proficient in English all benefit
from the strengths of learning with technology, and help their teachers
prove that technology is a sound, educational investment. These teachers
see that students are showing up in the mornings and the afternoons
to work in the computer lab. They are choosing this -- learning --
over other neighborhood activities after school, whether that be gangs,
drugs, or just the daily dose of TV time.
"I hear my 'you have mail' sound and I realize some concerned
parent needs me to e-mail them their student's English grade."
As a veteran teacher of 20 years, I see educational changes everyday.
I realize that not all changes are good, but I know that change is
a catalyst to improve. Technology is proving to be a great catalyst.
Technology has opened the doors of communication for teachers. Teachers
are sharing ideas, methods, lesson plans, tips, techniques, and bits
of personal information. Communication among teachers has never existed
like it exists today. Collaboration and communication is providing
me with a portal into the minds of great teachers, and that gives
me the opportunity to become a better teacher.
Long gone are the days of locking up materials and hoping your cohort
won't "steal" your bulletin board idea. There are enough
great ideas to go around. Who would have imagined it 10 years ago?
I pass by classrooms today, and I don't hear teachers' lectures quite
so often. I see portfolio evaluations of students on CD-ROMs. I hear
sound clips of students' reports being played. I hear students discussing
their group's PowerPoint presentations. I see students e-mailing their
mentors or parents. I hear my "you have mail" sound and
I realize some concerned parent needs me to e-mail them their student's
English grade. I see and appreciate progress. I see, am motivated,
and have vision for education.
http://www.4teachers.org/testimony/norris/ |
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