Ready for a Pop Quiz?
Think about following three statements regarding Technology and Education. On a scale of 1 to 4 (with 1 = I strongly disagree and 4 = I absolutely agree), where do you stand on the following issues:
Do you think:
- Technology Improves Education?
- 21st Century Teachers Need to Be Tech-Savvy?
- Today’s Student’s are Digitally Literate?
I actually posed these questions back in July and still do at many of of my workshops. Take a look at the comments, then come back (I’ll wait 
)))
Here are the responses (89 complete submissions):
A lot of the comments in the survey post and in workshops match-up with these results. And though I should be impartial, I’ll share my views here.
- Technology Improves Education
The use of technology can improve education. The proper use of the proper tool to increase and impact the learning and/or engagement of students can improve education. I’m right between a 2 or 3 on this one. - 21st Century Teachers Need to Be Tech-Savvy
I believe 21st century teachers need to be tech-comfy. Our kids’ future demands us to become tech-comfy. This should bring a sigh of relief to you. I don’t know how a microwave works, but I know how to work one. I’m a 2 on this one. - Today’s Student’s are Digitally Literate?
No! And this is why they still need us. I’m a 1 here.
Dean Shareski recently opined that the term ‘Digital Resident’ makes more sense than ‘Digital Native,‘ and I’m inclined to agree. Our kids are practically born with remote controls and keyboards in their laps. This doesn’t mean they know how to use them. They are tech-comfy…not tech-savvy.
We can easily go digital with many of the things we already do in the classroom:
- Do we Read or Tell Stories?
- Do we Engage in Conversation?
- Do we Send Them Away with Homework?
- Do we Share Knowledge?
We can do that (and more) with podcasting, video, digital storytelling, collaborative software, blogging, wiki…and many other tools.
Their isn’t really a digital divde between ourselves and our students. And if there is, we all standing on the same side together. Your students need you to be the bridge so they can cross over to digital literacy.
Survey and Results courtesy of SurveyGizmo
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=4bd90065-7d44-4593-96e3-00b66f394288)