Read the Marc Prensky article, "Backup Education."
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-Backup_Education-EdTech-1-08.pdf
Answer the following question:
What research (include APA citations) could you share with current teachers that validates the article titled "Backup Education"? Why might some teachers be reluctant to change in spite of their knowledge of 21st century learners?
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I chose to focus on one particular subject, math, from the article. I read the article “Backup Education,” I first agreed with the opposition teachers. I went into a local 6th grade classroom as a sub and was blown away to find the students did not know how to do simple fraction computations with pencil and paper, but only on calculators. I looked at two websites regarding the use of calculators in elementary and middle/upper grades. After I read those articles, I understood where Marc Prensky made his argument. From the article from the SEDL organization, I learned we are doing kids a disservice if they re not made comfortable and know how to use calculators. From the Worsley School article, I learned teaching with calculators allows teachers to cover more material. Mainly, calculators help students feel more positive and confident about math. Some teachers might be reluctant because they are not familiar with technology themselves or sadly, it would require teachers to change the lesson plans they have been using for years. What teachers have always thought to be important is changing. Change is hard, sometimes it is easier to stay the same. The articles I chose would be great for teachers reluctant to use calculators more in the class.
Worsley School. (n.d) Calculators in the Classroom: Why They’re Necessary, and When They’re Not. Retrieved on February 12, 2009 from http://www.worsleyschool.net/info/calculators/intheclassroom.html.
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. (1998, March) Quick Takes: Calculators in the Classroom. Retrieved on February 12, 2009 from http://www.sedl.org/scimath/quicktakes/qt9803.html
Some teachers are reluctant to change because of the "what if" syndrome. "What if" this breaks...and believe that it is neccessary to teach the "basics". My opinion is what is wrong with teaching basics? From my observations, my students cannot not write legidably or even spell. The sometimes spell using the texting method (abbraviations). Now I also think that part of the spelling problem also has to do with phonics because there is just some words that when you sound out you cannot spell correctly.
It has been proven that the best time for learning is between the age of 2 until the age of 8(Vygotsky etc...). So, I think that the students can handle learning basic math, writing, reading, spelling, and grammar along with technology in school. What Mr. Prensky seems to forget is that when students go home, they are on the computers doing homework, gaming, and chatting so they are still recieving some technology problem solving and practice.
Also, did anyone notice that he has created all these games and websites to enhance learning? So, doesn't it make sense that he is against teaching the basics for the fact that he will not "sell" his programs or not be sought out as much.
K Ruthven, S Hennessy, S Brindley -The web as a classroom resource: Reactions from the users. Mathematics and Science Teaching & Teacher Education, 2004
Staples, MC Pugach, D Himes - Rethinking the Technology Integration Challenge:Cases from Three Urban Elementary Schools.Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 37 no3 Spr 2005 - ed101.bu.edu
The articles "Evaluating Classroom Tech in the Classroom", {Utecht, J. (April 2008). Evaluating classroom tech in the classroom(ASSESSMENT). Technology & Learning, 28, 9. p.52(2).} and "A New Way to learn," {Moltenbrey, K. (Oct 2008). A new way to learn.(Editorial). Computer Graphics World, 31, 10.p.2} validate Marc Pensky's opinion that the use of technology in education is a positive, and a must. The first article I found, " Evaluating Classroom Tech in the Classroom," explains that technology isn't really replacing the basics. It is simply replacing the way we once did things with faster, easier, and more accurate methods. For example, publishing a piece of writing in Word rather than writing it out by hand, or doing research on the internet rather than in an encyclopedia.
The second article I found, "A New Way to Learn," explains that technology can be used to keep less attentive studnents tuned in. Students see using technology as fun and different. Students are usually much more attentive during special times when technology is being used. For example, the author's son studies using pod casts downloaded from his teacher's web site. She explains that this method of study held his interest much longer than simply reading notes or skimming in his text.
Some teachers may be reluctant to change because they are not confident about their knowledge of technology. If a teacher is afraid that his or her knowledge is inferior, they will not use the available technology. If they are not comfortable using technology, they will definetly defer from presenting it to their students.
I found many articles that shared the views of the "Backup Education" article. I only referenced two of them, but I could have listed several more in addition. I found that through these articles many educational systems and teacher are learning how imperative it is to integrate technology into the lives of their students, and how they play intricate roles in the ability to shape the mind of how the student approach and utilize the new and emerging technology of today. The "basics" that were spoken of are beginning to change, and although older teachers are more reluctant to change their ways, the younger generation of teacher (which are not based on "age" so to speak) are more understanding because of the way technology has been in their lives. For example, some have "grown up" with technology and have a certain comfort with the everyday use of it; and therefore, understand the need for responsible methods of using technology to be taught in classroom's. I feel as though some teachers are reluctant to change because of their comfort level with technology and possibly the era in which he or she grew up. Others on the other hand, may be reluctant to change their opinion because of the education they received and this may be a direct reflection of it. Overall, I feel as though technology as a whole is beginning to make a stonger impression in the classrooms and on the eduction of the students.
Rhoades, Emily B., Curtis R. Friedel, and A. Christian Morgan. "Can Web 2.0 improve our collaboration?(TECHNOLOGY USAGE IN THE CLASSROOM)." Techniques 84.1 (Jan 2009): 24(4). Academic OneFile. Gale. East Tennessee State Univ Library. 13 Feb. 2009
Zahorchak, Gerald L. "Classrooms for the Future.(correspondence)(Letter to the editor)." Education Next 9.1 (Wntr 2009): 7(1). Academic OneFile. Gale. East Tennessee State Univ Library. 13 Feb. 2009
LaurenFox021509
Teaching the art of cursive writing may be a thing of the past (Hernandez, 2009 ).Cursive writing has been taught in the classroom for many centuries but the time has come where technology has reached more importance than a hand written task of any kind. Teachers have stated that technolgy needs to be taught as well as writing skills and they each should be givin prper time in the classroom. I can remember learning how to write my cursive letters and connecting them together in the correct way, but now assignments are only acceptd i a type form, emails are sent rather than hand written letters. job applications and resumes need to be types and where ever we look a new for of communication dealing with a keypad is being made for society. so I agree with the concept of taking more time to teach the technology methods of writing and less of the cursive skills. As for each student I do believe that he os She needs to know how to write a curisve letter and their personal closing to a better but computers are a thing of the future and will only continue to increase in demand. as the article mentioned as teacher we need to prepare the studentes foe the future.
Cited
Hernandez S. 9 2009,15 Feburary). Technology Pushes Out Cursive Writing.The Ball State Daily News Online. Retrieved from http:// www.bsudailynews.com
I wasn't sure how to Italize the title of the source in the cite part....
Some research that I could share with teachers that validates the article "Backup Eductaion" would be:
Prensky, Marc. (2001 October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon. Volume 9, Number 5. MCB University Press.
Prensky, Marc.(2008 Nov.-Dec.) The Role of Technology in Teaching and the Classroom. Educational Technology.
Teachers may be reluctant to change in spite of their own knowledge of 21st Century learners due to the fact that technology can sometimes malfunction. For example...what is going to happen to a child who has always depended on a calculator to add, subtract, divide, and multiply...and then during a specific moment (i.e. an assessment test, etc.)the child is not allowed to use the calculator. The teacher may wonder how the child is going to solve the problem. The thing is...we need to include technology in the teaching curriculum. The world is changing day after day in the world of technology.
Rosche, J. M. (2000, January). Changing How and What Children Learn in School with Computer-Based Technologies. The Future of Children, 10, 76-97. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from Sherrod Library database.
I believe that some teachers may be reluctant to the change and the way technology is used in the classroom because they do not want to learn it. There are so many teachers that know that times are changing as far as technoogy goes, but they do not want to take the time to learn it. Some teachers believe that technology is a waste and do not want to take the time in their scheduled class to apply what they have taught to technology. Although some teachers are excited about the use of technology in the world, some are not and think it is very useless.
Back-up education is innovative and new, but as a potential educator I have to ask myself if it is really the new way of thought. I do believe that it is important to move forward in education, and constantly find new methods to teach our students in this ever changing world. Although, I would include myself in the group of teachers who is skittish about not teaching our children the basics. I feel like it is only safe because we all know that technology is not always 100% accurate and reliable, so if the children do not know the basics then they will not know how to reboot any the main problems. Then on the other, there are those who agree completely. For these examples I am providing a citation:
Kennedy, C. (2008, August 13). A blog by clint. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from Prensky's Backup Education Web site: http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=2&reqsrcid=39&mode=form&more=&source_title=Web%20Page&source_mod=&stylename=APA
I believe that most teachers in today's society believe the way that I do. Most people are reluctant because it is the unfamiliarity of the matter.
There are many different research articles published that share the idea of modern learners from Marc Prensky’s “Backup Education” article. This article is for teachers who will teach in the age of technology. The best example of modern research that demonstrates the importance of new technology is the video on visual aids that we watched on Monday. It is my personal belief that many teachers do not want to advance to the newer forms of teaching due to the effort that will be required. Many teachers that will teach with the aid of new technology will require additional education.
So much of our world today is centered on technology; therefore, it is imperative that students are being well rounded in this subject. Many ask how teachers are to integrate technology into the curriculum along with everything else that is required. With our present and future’s needs being centered around technology, some changes may be made to what is being taught in the school systems. Others see that the basics must never be taken out of education.
It is important that the point be made the technology must be in school systems today. An excellent article that depicts this is: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-technology-in-schools.html (Oak, Manali. 2008). Importance of Technology in Schools. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from Buzzle. Com).
Rosche, J. M. (2000, January). Changing How and What Children Learn in School with Computer-Based Technologies. The Future of Children, 10, 76-97. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from Sherrod Library database.
A lot of teachers want nothing to do with new technology. They are stuck in their old ways and do not want to conform to the new era of computer technology. our students would learn more and be more attentive if teachers would integrate new technology.
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