I initially only took this Personal Learning Network Course for the PLU; I wanted to get it over with and get my credit, and if I had to pretend that I cared about blogging and Twittering in the process, well, what was the harm? The funny thing is, the more I got into it, the more I could see the possible benefit. I say "possible" because I am not one of these technological radicals who feel that technology unfettered and unleashed is always a good thing. I, along with the other people who took the on-line course, are all reasonable educators. We realize that the use of technology in the classroom without a plan is, at the very least, aimless, and perhaps dangerous. I don't believe that any of us leave this course as some technological Pollyanna type; we know that there is a great responsibility, as well as opportunity, to reach kids, but it must be done by methodical means and not willy-nilly.
I really have been able to see how podcasts and Twitter with the right plan could be useful to the classroom (I've never sold on Facebook in the classroom - too many exhortations to help people make the best Farmville ever, I suppose.) However, we must not lose sight of the fact that a bad teacher with a world of technology at his or her disposal is still a bad teacher; a good teacher with limited technology is still a good teacher. In other words, technology will only enhance the educational opportunities in a good teacher's classroom; however, it will never mask the deficiencies in a poor teacher's classroom.
The possible danger here, as I see it, is seeing technology as a panacea for those who are methodically and pedagogically unsound. From what I have read from the posts of my fellow classmates, this is one thing that I do not have to fear from them; I am not as sure that is the case with some of the technology "gurus" which we have read during this course. We must never lose sight of the fact that advanced technology may change a mangy mutt into a pedigreed canine and a broken-down old mare into a Kentucky Derby-winning filly. WIthout a strong teacher, however, it's still just a "dog-and-pony show."
I really enjoyed your last paragraph! You are so right! One teacher came to mind when you shared the dog and pony analogy. Technology in and of itself is not good teaching, or good leading, only a tool to help students problem-solve, collaborate, and using those higher level thinking skills. It also is a good tool for professionals for the same reasons. As administrators, we need to give teachers the tools to reflect on their teaching and guide them towards best practices. And as we have learned, technology is one way to do that.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point on those who are weak in pedagogy & how they rely on technology to be their "crutch" towards sustainability but not effective in the classroom. I have seen many of 'em in my 14 years...