I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What’s The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. According to Tony’s friend:
This whole experience seems to be one of the best examples I have ever seen about the power and importance of self-directed learning…
The organic way this whole day unfolded blew me away…
All seemed to be going well in winning a convert to the connected side and then it came.
The only thing I am wondering about is the heavy emphasis on technology and sometimes I think the technology tool or tip became the focus as opposed to the conversation or overarching topic… is that always the way?
For too many educators the second statement wipes out all of the wonderment that the first statement brought to the table. It always comes down to the requirement of educators having a need to know or have some perspective on technology in today’s world. That however, is the very least we must prepare our children for. How can we prepare them for their future when so many educators have yet to learn about the needs of learning today in the present?
Let’s place two classrooms side by side and instruct each teacher to use collaborative learning to explore a given subject. One teacher will be limited to 20th Century methodology, pair share or group work at their seats using chart paper, posters and the always-present overhead projector. The second teacher may use 21st Century methodology and tools: Skype, Google hangout, Google Documents, Social Media, PowerPoint, and Prezi. Both classes will learn stuff, but which class will take with them presentation and collaboration skills that are career ready in a tech driven society?
Using that same two-classroom scenario let us teach a writing class on voice in writing. Again one class will do compositions and hand them in to the teacher to grade. Of course 20th century methodology is fine. Peer editing should be employed. The second class will teach Blogging. Students will create blogs, comment on blogs and respond to comments on their own blogs. Again, which class is getting real world authentic experience in the 21st Century? Which class will get a deeper understanding of voice, the class with an audience of one, or the class with an unlimited audience that interacts, comments critiques, criticizes and praises?
Too often educators view new methodology and tools with a 20th century mindset. It is their own educational experience that is driving their teaching. A big problem is that we are no longer in that time period. Many educators are losing relevance. It is not something that we can point out without creating friction, and most people refrain from doing so for that reason. Educators like to be fair and let people learn for themselves when it comes to their colleagues. Of course students and parents assume that they are getting the biggest bang for their buck for an education that will provide a path to, at the very least, a safe and competent ability to make a living in a world that will be using technology that advances further even that which we are using today.
Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. With a Masters degree in Educational technology I can assure you that not one piece of hardware, or software that I studied with and used so much to get that degree exists today.
The pedagogy should always be the focus of education discussions, but the technology will always continue to be the accelerant of the pedagogy. Educators no longer get to decide whether or not to use tech as a tool. If they are scared to learn about it, that creates a problem. Technology is not going away as many expect that mythological pendulum to swing back. Educators have been programmed to believe that, if one waits long enough, the worst things will eventually go away. Barring apocalyptic disaster, technology is here to stay and it is a tool for learning, as well as curation, collaboration, communication, and creation, which include many of the things that we need to teach Again, to better educate our kids, we need to first better educate their educators. Edcamps do just that, and most will be dominated by technology discussions, because that is the very discussion educators need to engage in to maintain relevance. As an educator if you are just standing still in your personal development, you are falling behind.
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
‘ technology is here to stay and it is a tool for learning, as well as curation, collaboration, communication, and creation, which include many of the things that we need to teach Again, to better educate our kids’
Yes Tom the students and I are learning together that creating an iMovie requires same skills as writing a narrative- object is to get the reader/ viewer (your audience) to want to read on… See more… Sizzling start as introduction. Planning- voice recording; music; images. Conclusion?
Kids ( and I) realising that a good iMovie requires as much draft planning as other pieces of text types. It’s basically just another text type. They then created their own rubrics and when presenting their iMovie they were required to give evidence re their rubric. IMovies were posted on the blog for all to enjoy.
I am so not a tech person. Very slow to learn. But getting there… The more we learn together ( with my year 5 class) the more I am understanding your posts re the wonders of technology and your above comment.
[…] Using that same two-classroom scenario let us teach Read the full article […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
I really enjoyed this post Tom! Although we discuss it from different angles, we are acknowledging that school, education, and teaching can be so much more when we put personal, connected learning at the forefront. In my post, http://goo.gl/IKAL4Q I suggest that our classroom success and experiences may be hindering our ability to change and grow as educators. Your examples are right on the money. There is a richness and authenticity that technology adds to classroom learning. Last I checked, Father Time, Mother Nature, and Innovation – all undefeated! Thanks for the opportunity to share in this conversation. Bob
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
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[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
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Reblogged this on Halina's Thoughts and commented:
Too often educators view new methodology and tools with a 20th century mindset. It is their own educational experience that is driving their teaching. A big problem is that we are no longer in that time period. Many educators are losing relevance. It is not something that we can point out without creating friction, and most people refrain from doing so for that reason. Educators like to be fair and let people learn for themselves when it comes to their colleagues. Of course students and parents assume that they are getting the biggest bang for their buck for an education that will provide a path to, at the very least, a safe and competent ability to make a living in a world that will be using technology that advances further even that which we are using today.
Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools
Great post Tom, I think that teachers could help move the profession forward, if we would collect data on using tech as a pedagogical tool and published that data. Most educational journals won’t publish it, but those of us on the Twittersphere and blogosphere can pass around good ideas faster than AERA anyway. I posted some results from my Blended classroom here: http://petridishing.net/2014/06/24/sharing-blended-learning-outcomes/ Keep up pushing those of us in the field to think deeply about our practices.
[…] something that just “adds” to your plate. It genuinely isn’t an extra. Tom Whitby had a great post about the separation of the tech world and the academia world. Angela Watson […]
[…] something that just “adds” to your plate. It genuinely isn’t an extra. Tom Whitby had a great post about the separation of the tech world and the academia world. Angela […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] I just read a post by my friend, Tony Sinanis, #EdCamp: What's The Point? Tony had an unconnected colleague attend an Edcamp. The colleague was most impressed with the ever-present passion. Accordi… […]
I am concerned about the idea that technology is everything. From what I have read Common Core puts an emphasis on technology but there are many teachers who either don’t want or cannot have technology.
Based on your final sentence you seem to dismiss these teachers as old fashioned. I think you need to recognise there are many teachers facing many different teaching problems and technology does not of itself solve them.
I teach English as a Foreign Language mainly to older teens and adults. Yes I could create a presentation about the first conditional or I could encourage my class to talk to each other and try and use the grammar. Would getting them to blog be better? Would getting them to create a video teach them how to use it? Maybe it would but it would not suit all students.
My worry is that technology alone is seen as the answer and that thinking leaves little or no room for the teacher. The growing idea that a computer and a big question can allow children to teach themselves is gaining a lot of credence and is becoming an attractive proposition to some.
Education has to be about more than the technology.
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Source: tomwhitby.wordpress.com […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]
[…] Teaching is not easy. It is a profession that requires educators to be relevant. Being relevant doesn’t come with age. Just the opposite occurs, and it requires work to keep up. Teaching is not a profession that enables one to stop learning after the degree is earned and the job is secured. Technology is moving us all too fast for anyone to sit back relying on old methods and tools. […]