Jan
27
The Four Precepts of Solomon
January 27, 2008 | |
Is there access to up-to-date hardware, software and connectivity? In my opinion, there is access to hardware, software and connectivity. Most of the people, including students, have a way to get up-to-date hardware, software and connectivity. Even the poorest students at my school know their way around a computer. They want to be just like everyone else to be up-to-date and participate when it comes to technology. They have gotten the experience of technology from somewhere. Several blogs have spoke about the use of public libraries. Our school has a computer lab with a teacher who is very good at her job. People can have access if they really want it.
Is there access to meaningful, high-quality and culturally responsive content and the opportunity to contribute to that content? If there is access to precept number one, then this one is a given. If one can get connected, then there is access to meaningful, high-quality and culturally responsive content and the opportunity to contribute to that content. Whether or not someone utilizes the information needed or content available is another issue.
Is there access to educators who know how to use digital tools and resources? For me, this is one of the precepts that falls short. In my experience, teachers are hesitant to use technology for a variety of reasons. Teachers, sometimes, get boxed into one particular methodology of teaching that has worked for them. Teachers, sometimes, don’t want to get out of their comfort zone. With that said, I have often commented that teaching for me was juggling. Teachers are juggling bowling balls in the air, when a ball is getting ready to hit that is the one a teacher takes care of. I am hopeful in the next few years, the adaptation of technology in the classroom is going to become the next bowling ball to hit teachers. Either teachers are going to adjust or they will be getting hit upside the head.
Is there access to systems sustained by leaders with vision and support for change via technology? I do not think there is access sustained by leaders with vision and support for change via technology. In my experience, leaders do not sustain the use of technology and support change. Leaders in schools are for the most part former teachers. A fellow teacher was getting observed not long ago by an assistant principal. He used a powerpoint that had a link to another web page which showed a video. The assistant principal thought he had discovered lightning in a bottle. This is a basic form of technology that can be used in the classroom and one of the leaders in the school was a follower when it came to technology. The change is slow. There is still a long way to go, and the leaders have to lead.
