The students of today are more technologically advanced than ever before. As a teacher, every year it seems to be getting harder and harder to motivate and keep my students’ attention. It is almost as if we have to compete with the internet, video games, cell phones, etc. in the classroom. The students are so used to constantly being entertained outside the classroom. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states, “There is no question that more and more of today’s kids are entering our classrooms having had years of “screentime” and that in general, while they still may have a lot to learn about living in the digital world, they are by nd large fearless in their use of technology.” (p.56). As a teacher, I know that is important to find ways to grab their attention and motivate them to want to be successful. It used to be that textbooks, a blackboard, and an overhead projector were the only materials needed to create a successful lesson. Today, it is necessary for teachers to incorporate the latest technology into the curriculum so that students will be prepared for the future. In the article, Technology and education: Expectations, not options, Thornburg (2004) states that “today we clearly are in the realm where the question is not how technology should change to fit classroom practice, but rather how, given current technology, classroom practice should change” (p.4). In other words, it really should not be an option as to whether a teacher needs to change his/her teaching practices. Classroom practice has to change because the technology has so drastically changed. Teachers have to have the right attitude for this change to be successful.
Currently, I am becoming more comfortable with a few new advances such as the ELMO, LCD projector, and school pad. These definitely make a difference in my lessons. My school has also incorporated a weekly technology class for the students. They are involved in typing lessons each week as well as different programs such as PowerPoint. They are really enjoying this class. The internet has become such a great tool for the students to use for research projects. In Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.), Richardson (2009) states “We are no long limited to being independent readers or consumers of large storehouses of information. In the process, we can learn much about ourselves and out world” (p.2). There is a wealth of information on the internet that we would not have had access to fifty years ago. In the next few years, I feel that it is my responsibility to become educated on the latest technological advancements so that my students are prepared. I hope that other educators feel this way. I would be interested in finding out others’ opinions on this topic.

Citations

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful tools for classrooms.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Thornburg, David. (2004) Technology and education: expectations, not options.
Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf.