Cross-posted at ThumannResources.com
This is how the day started this past Thursday morning. I was about to begin Day 2 of ActivInspire training with a group of elementary school teachers when one of the 18 educators came right out and said "I just don't like technology."
DAY - TONE = BROKEN
How did I respond? Well as others in the group chuckled, guffawed and attempted to defend their colleague, I quickly brainstormed some follow-up questions.
- Do you not care for using technology in your classroom because you don't feel comfortable using it?
- Do you allow for opportunities for your students to interact with technology in your classroom?
- Are you open to seeing how interactive whiteboards (IWB) can help make lessons more engaging for students therefor helping them understand and retain more of the content of your lesson?
Well, in the moments that I was deciding what to ask this teacher who had announced to the entire group that she didn't like using technology, the group had asked her to expand on what she had said.
Since the elementary teachers were from four different buildings within the same school district, they all didn't know each other. This particular teacher was an in-class support teacher who "pushed-in" to several different classes who had IWB's so she was told to come to the training. She shared with the group that she didn't want to use the IWB, she didn't use computers, and that she didn't even want to use a cell phone. Actually, her colleagues from her school shared that this was the case and she had no problem being vocal about it in the building.
SHE IS NOT ALONE
I was reading one of Doug Peterson's recent posts about how he doesn't want to be "trained" on a professional development day. He writes about how he wants to be given resources on where to go if he needs more help. He wants to be given examples on how to use the skills and tools with his students. I read this with a bit of confidence as this is how I design my professional development.
THIS IS AN ISSUE OF
I sat in the doctor's office for several hours the other morning to wait to see him. I feel he is a good doctor. I go to him because I feel he keeps up with current research and trends in his field. I do not care to see a doctor who is practicing what they learned when they went to medical school. I want them to remain current and to continue to research and learn.
Should we expect the same from educators? In the No Future Left Behind video published by Marianne Malstrom andPeggy Sheehy the students actually say "I can't create my future with the tools of your past". Should teachers be accountable for demonstrating they are effectively using current technologies with our students? I'm interested in your opinion.
