The New Jersey Department of Education mandates a series of teaching standards for educators. Each content area has their own set of standards. Today I will be looking at the standards for Technology and how they affect the school, district, and myself as a future educator.
Technology has become an integral part of our society. A major part of this society is our education. The standards set for technology (which is listed as a content area right next to English, Math, and Science) cover grades P-12 and are broken up into subcategories such as Resources for a Technological World, Research and Information Fluency, Research and Information Literacy etc. The information under these subcategories are guidelines for the material that the students should be learning and the teachers should be instructing. Implementing a technological standard communicates to both the district and the schools within that district that the students must have access to computers and computer software. It also implies that the teachers must have the proper technological training to teach students how to create PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, and explore the Internet. The principal of Chatham High School located in Chatham, NJ explained, “You can’t expect the learner of today to be engrossed by someone who speaks in a monotone voice with a piece of chalk in their hand.” The student of the 21st century demands more from their education and the teachers, schools, and school districts of the 21st century must provide this for them.
As a future teacher of the 21st century I hope to encompass the ability to teach from a technological standpoint. After this class I anticipate to develop my teaching methods both with and without technology. I realize that technology is an important part of a student’s life, but it doesn’t have to be their whole life. The science teacher in the video clip, Integration of 21st Century Skills: Hydrology provided a great example in which students could learn the effects of erosion from the outside environment, computer software, and a real life in-class model. Technology wasn’t his only teaching method, but a part of an overall whole of his lesson on erosion.
When I job search and interview I want to be a part of a school that includes technology into their teaching curriculum. I also want to ensure that I am able to provide students with a proper grasp on technology through activities and presentations.
You are correct - teaching is about choosing the appropriate tools to teach the standrds.
ReplyDeleteI agree that you must be able to teach both with and without technology. Sometimes it is just used for conveniance. It also depends on what you teach. As a science teacher I know that I will have to use technology. I would have never graduated if I didn't know how to use it.
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