Teachers and Technology

In reading the post entitled "Is it ok to be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher" I do see Karl Fisch's point. If you are going to be a teacher in today's classroom you must have some technology background. Students in the classroom in this day and time must be students of the world, that is just a fact. In order to be successful as adults they must have some computer skills. So then we must ask, why not the teacher that is molding their young mind? I really like the comparison of standards that the Fisch makes, would you tell someone you can't read, then why would you tell them you know nothing about computers? I like this, computer skills should be right up there with learning to read and write in today's world.

I feel that educators should take every opportunity to learn about technology, not just computers but ways to better their own classrooms. This can be done by simply learning how to create a Power Point presentation or learning how to upload a grade book on to the computer. These skills will simplify and better their classroom. If the teacher is willing to learn then allow them to do so. To some degree I do agree with letting a teacher go that is not willing to learn, chances are they need to retire anyway. On the same note, the school boards should be providing opportunities for their teachers through workshops to learn educational technology. If everyone pulls together teachers can learn new things as well.