Dec
2
Are we ready for change?
December 2, 2009 | Tagged change, professionalism | Leave a Comment
http://www.cognitive-edge.com
Are educators equipped to do their jobs in the 21st century? Are districts ready to allow teacher do their job in the 21st century? Are districts and teachers ready? In many job sectors, employees are expected to keep up with relevant technologies or risk job loss. What if my family physician did not keep up with his job. What if he never changed with modern medicine and technology? What if he/she stayed a practicing physician from the 19th century? Would I knowingly allow him to take care of me and my family? A sounding NO!!!! Why do we allow teachers and school districts do it!!!
When do we require that of K-12 and post-secondary educators to keep up with changes in teaching and technology? At what point do we say to them “No, we’re not training you how to use this. It’s easy enough for you to learn on your own. And if you don’t, we’ll find someone else who can.” Matter of fact many district have spent ten of thousands of dollars in getting us up to date. What happened?
A retired teacher came up to me the other day and said “Bill, I sure wish I had paid attention to you when taught all those tech courses I took. I took to get the credit and keep up my certification. I went through the motion. Now I am having trouble sending an email.”
When will we, as educational systems, redefine the job descriptions and expectations of educators to include their regular and effective incorporation of relevant digital technologies?
Wake up educators!!!!
