I think that the way things have grown and evolved with our internet usage, it has left a lot of people in the dust. Certain groups of people that are older, that work in jobs that don’t require the continual learning that constant new technology requires. There is basic things of course like watching YouTube, scrolling Facebook or internet banking. Without it being required daily, I think people are behind including myself. I just think of my mom who still refuses to use internet banking and drives to the bank to do things. Future classrooms are going to need to fully engulf in what technologies are being used to achieve certain things. Teachers have some tools to use and incorporate into the classroom but it takes time to learn and to practice. Teachers will use basic things like the Smart board for example, but often as a note tool or lunch time entertainment. I found this to be true in the different classrooms I worked in. I know that there are teachers that are using these tools to their full advantage but from different discussions, I think there are a few struggles as well!
I think that technologies available are amazing and growing by the minute. The more digital interaction, the less personal interaction that is required. This is a challenge with so many virtual options available but something that needs to be considered moving forward in our classrooms. Teachers have their hands full and I think they need a lot of time for their own learning, to really have things become part of the regular day, to be comfortable with each new tech tool that becomes available for the classroom.
I am extremely nervous about integrating technology into my future classroom, especially as an Elementary major hoping to teach the really little ones, like grades 1 to 3. Although technology should be in every classroom, it will look different depending on your student’s age and maturity. That is a huge reason why I took this class in the first place – to hopefully get a head start on what technology can look like in different classrooms, how to teach appropriate internet and social media usage, and to hopefully get some different resources that I can use throughout my career as a teacher. I think it would be really helpful for teachers to do some professional development regarding technologies in the classroom since, as you mentioned, technology is always changing and will continue to change.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!