Time for a Change - Why it is Imperative that Teachers Wholly Embrace Technology

I feel I must start by introducing myself. I am a high school teacher in Waskom, TX. I teach English II, English III, and World History. Oh, did I mention I am at a Title I school? What does that mean? In the easiest terms; the majority of students live in a low, or poor, socioeconomic area. For the majority, they may know what a computer is, and how to use it, they just don't have decent access to one at home.

As tech-savvy people who read this website, you know how terrible it is to not have a computer at home, or any Internet access. Also, one wouldn't expect many of these students to know how to utilize new technologies like an iPad or Android tablet. That is why we need to focus on putting new technology in the classroom.

Let's face it, technology is now part of the fabric of our everyday life now. If we want our students to succeed in the future, they need to be proficient with all aspects of technology. It not only requires money to fund these tech items, but a willing teacher that will introduce it within the classroom.

For example, there is a new teaching idea that wholly embraces new technology. Instead of giving a lecture or oral lesson at school, you record it and have the student watch at home. Instead of requiring the student to do homework after spending all day listening to a lecture, they come into class the next day (after watching the lesson at home) and do said 'homework' with the teacher in class. This is called 'flipping the classroom,' and is a great way to not only keep student interest in the classroom, but provide them training with new technology to prepare them for the world outside of high school. The teacher utilizes technology to record a lesson (Live Paper for the iPad is a great example of doing said recording) and wirelessly transfer the video/lesson to the students' tablets, where they then use to watch the lesson at home while doing activities that enhances their training with a tablet device.

It's true, this will take money. It will take great effort to gain this funding for schools (ours has applied for grants to do this) but it will take an even greater effort from teachers. We must embrace technology, otherwise we will have students that fall way behind other countries, and who won't be prepared for the technological proficiency needed in the 'real world.' I truly believe this can be accomplished, with a little push by teachers and those interested in improving our country's education.