Fischbowl: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

I thought the "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" blog was great! I think that it was interesting to see how other people have some of the same feelings as I do about computers in the classroom. It is shocking to me that any teacher, principal, school inspector can make it today's world without being held responsible for knowing how to operate computers effectively. It is frustrating when you see and know things should not be operating the way they are, but their is nothing in writing to enforce certain expectations.

I love the list that was posted by Terry Freedman. I think it would be great if we could have technological standards for our teachers, principals, and others involved with schools. I think that in today's society it should not be acceptable to be in a classroom and not use the computer effectively. I like the point that he made when he said that computers are a part of life and not something extra. Also, I think we need to always remember the important point about how we can't just sit and watch as some of our children's futures are being jeopardized. I also hope that one day educators will be held accountable for this part of their responsibility.

I know it does sound harsh, but I think I agree with the statement on the blog: "If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write" and will more as time goes on. There are very few jobs already that do not require certain computer skills and I firmly believe as time goes on there will be less and less. I think that he has a great point that our times are changing quickly and there will be little chance for success for the technologically illiterate.

I have also experienced this a great deal away from the classroom. My parents are a great example. My dad was forced to learn to use computers through work and has a basic understanding of them. He can use them to search the web and do certain things online. He has trouble with some things, but can figure out and use what he finds necessary. My mom, on the other hand, has trouble using a mouse. She has not ever felt the need to learn to use a computer and gets easily frustrated when we try to show her how to do things on it. She is interested, but does not take the time to learn. She just gets her children or husband to pull things up and then show her. I think it most interesting when her two grandchildren that are 5 can use them much better than she can. She openly says "I just can't use the computer".

I hope that as time goes on everyone will realize that computers have become a part of our everyday life. You will need them to be successful in the near future and we need to prepare our students for this. I think that this blog definitely deserved any awards that it received and enjoyed reading it.