I came across an article on Twitter (via @SteveGlass) by The Economist entitled Catching On at Last that really caught my attention. The article outlines the advances in technology over the past few decades and how during that time new technology has promised its ability to increase student learning and success with limited results. The claim now is that emerging technology is finally able to accomplish what it has strived for in education for a score of years. With the development of programs that can track student progress integrated with activities that not only teach but engage and entertain students, many schools and districts across America and throughout the world are experiencing success with the implementation of these programs.
What I found most interesting was the attitude that the teacher unions have taken toward technology. Clearly responding out of fear, teachers are defensive toward technology that can eventually take over their jobs. With more and more technology resources available in schools and to students, many teachers fear they will no longer be needed. I, on the other hand, think this is, well, somewhat ridiculous. I see the growth of technology in education as something that is impossible to achieve without teachers. What schools need is the availability of technology alongside pedagogically well-trained teachers that are also well-versed in educational technology.
That being said, I found this article from The Economist a very interesting and, quite frankly, exciting read. While the article itself isn't overly exciting, the prospect of being a teacher in an era of such rapidly advanced and developing technology is exciting.
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