Article Link: "Schools, Teachers Behind in Technology Use"
Annotation
On
one hand I agree with the article "Schools, teachers behind in
technology use" in regards to the fact that a good majority of children
are familiar with the computer and know their way around compared to
some adults. I was surprised to find out that "the largest
group of new users of the Internet from 2000 to 2002 were kids age 2 to
5." I couldn't believe that a two-year old could even
be familiar with the Internet. I also agree with the article
in regards to teachers being required to take a technology course.
With the way technology changes year-by-year, even a teacher that
is very comfortable with the computer should be up to date with the
latest programs, and even websites that are available. On the other hand, I don't agree with the article in regards to the push for
teachers to use the computers as a tool for homework. Yes the
computer could be helpful to students for reading lessons and/or
tutoring, but should not replace the real thing-the teacher.
After all, it's all about meeting the needs of the students, and
a computer may not be able to fulfill the auditory, visual, and
tactile learner. Another thing to keep in mind as a teacher
is the stability of the families in terms of their financial status.
Some families may have one or two computers in their home, while
other families, may not be able to afford one, therefore, it wouldn't
be fair to assign homework, project, anything that requires a computer.
Yes it's true, everywhere
you look now a days there are computers-in
schools, businesses, hotels, even places like coffee houses.
They are
becoming more and more important by the minute. The computer
enables a
person to do everything from communicate with another person to paying
their bills online. Children should start to become familiar with
a computer at an early age; it will definitely help them in the long
run. As a teacher, I would use the computer in my
classroom as a learner center for the students, and I would use it for
myself to communicate with parents. However it's more important
to remain non-biased and stick to the old fashion way-pen and paper.