Comments on: Report reveals teachers’ fear of classroom technology

By: Nicole Shive

Nicole Shive — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 15:09:36 +0000

I think the biggest thing that really holds teachers back from incorporating different technologies is lack of knowledge. Until taking this course, they only types of technology I’d seen used in the classroom were pretty basic…PowerPoint, Excel, Overheads, all the stuff we learned in the first few weeks. I for one was not aware of tools such as WebQuest, which once I found out about it and explored it, I really liked. I think that if the knowledge were more redily avialable that teachers would be more apt to use it.

By: Jarnegan, Jay

Jarnegan, Jay — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:23:22 +0000

A lot of People in our society is very routine based. They get up in the morning and do the same thing time after time. Some whom are scared of change. People also fear what thy donâ€™t understand. A lot of teachers are stuck in their way of doing things they often donâ€™t want to try something new.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:17:41 +0000

People in our society is very routine based. They get up in the morning and do the same thing time after time. Some whom are scared of change. People also fear what thy donâ€™t understand. A lot of teachers are stuck in their way of doing things they often donâ€™t want to try something new.

By: Nathan Kade

Nathan Kade — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 01:56:15 +0000

First of all I feel that the above report is rather ambiguous, {Some 30% of teachers surveyed failed to make good use of computers in the classroom}what exactly is “good”? There isn’t any standard used that clearly defines what good use is. Is it using powerpoint in class or teaching students how to use the internet? If so, for what percent of class time? I think the fact that there is not a clear standard for measuring a “good use of technology” is not only true of this study, but is true in school systems across the US. Eveyone has some form of acess to technology, they simply don’t implement it into the classroom because, by and large, it was not how they were taught. Every district has different standards for implementing technology, some good some bad. The blame can’t be placed entirely upon teachers who are under the authority of a school district, whose policies may be bogus and antiquated. Additionially, the idea that teachers who rely on book-based learning are lazy is ludicrous; they’re just showing their age. And I imagine that the older the college degree certificates get, the less those teachers use technology. I really believe that this generation of teachers (graduating within the last five years) have a good grasp of what to do with technology in the classroom; how to use it effectively and enhance their cirriculum. Hope I wasn’t too mean:)

By: Brett Sanders

Brett Sanders — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:37:29 +0000

I believe that it is important for teachers to teach the best way they are able to. I think it is a waste of time when the technology being used is to difficult to operate for the teacher using it. Many times, teachers spend more time trying to figure out how to work the laser disc than they do showing pictures. However, as the technology incereases and allows for easier learning methods, teaching teachers how to use it becomes very important to the evolution of todays Educational System. All in all, it is to the students advantage when they can fully understand what is being taught, so whether its with new technology or not, it depends on the teachers ability to teach their material effectively.

By: Mike Schrum

Mike Schrum — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:37:00 +0000

I do not agree that book-based teaching is an “easy” way out. I think it can be a very effective method and obviously it is the most traditional method. Teachers can do quite well with a book-based curriculum if they include a variety of other teaching methods. One of those teaching methods being making better use of technology. If a teacher can impliment other effective ways of keeping the kids interested and engaged in the material while still effectively teaching…more power to them. Teachers are only wasting their potential use of teaching with technology only when they are still failing to teach the material in new, fun, and an effective alternative ways.

By: Sarah Larson

Sarah Larson — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 19:49:30 +0000

I think that teachers that do not use technology are not necessarily â€œlazy teachersâ€ but by not using technology they are blowing the opportunity to have more effective lesson plans. I think that after these teachers learn how to implement various technologies in the classroom they will find that it makes teaching much more efficient. They will probably find that the students will respond better to say a PowerPoint presentation then a lecture and reading out of a textbook. Teachers should face their fears of technology for the sake of their students.

By: Melissa Bedell

Melissa Bedell — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 18:00:06 +0000

I think that teachers should be able to use textbooks effectively regardless of whether people think it is the lazy way out. It is important to remember that some students learn best this way, even if it isn’t many of them. However, at the same time i think its silly that those teachers from the article that received a technology grant were not using it effectivly. Like several people have said already, it is important that teachers integrate technology in with their lessons so that the students that learn best interactively have that chance. I also think that it is difficult for some teachers to ‘break the cycle’ of teaching from a book because like you said, that’s how they were taught. I think that most upcoming teachers know better and are working toward breaking that cycle and becoming teachers that are able to use technology as well as texts effectively.

By: Amy Lindenbaum

Amy Lindenbaum — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 15:32:42 +0000

Teachers that have not been exposed to using compuers in the classrooms may have a fear of teaching by using technology. But, perhaps many teachers have not been taught to properly integrate both book learning and technology. I feel if motivated teachers were given the opportunity to use programs that would improve both their teaching styles and improve the students skills they would step forward and implement these programs. Frist we must educate our teachers on the benifits of technology before we buy all the programs!

By: Kristen Timmons

Kristen Timmons — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 13:47:41 +0000

I agree with what everyone has said so far in the fact that book-based learning is an easy way out for most teachers. I feel it is important for the child to read the text, but also not to soley rely on the text. The teacher should also be able to explain through class lecture how that certain subject works. I also think that technology as it continues to grow is a very important part of education and should be used as much as possible in the classroom.