I met an EFL teacher working at a Private Secondary School yesterday and the encounter was very interesting for me as he told me something interesting when he learned I am working on my thesis: Our students consider educational technology-user teachers ‘better’ than traditional teachers. Is it really like that?
I know the school where my colleague works and it is a place where they have interactive white boards (iwbs), computer labs with internet connection, expensive and quality course books accompanied by iwb materials, CDs, and DVDs etc. As you may guess, almost of all of these students have laptops/PCs at home and Facebook accounts. They are considered as digital natives since they are growing up in a digital world.
My colleague has told me that these students consider technology-user teachers ‘better’ and don’t hesitate saying it. If they have a chance to compare teachers, they choose the ones who benefit from technology most. But I’m not sure if it is the case in general. I believe some ‘digital native’ teachers are very good at educational technology integration but they lack of experience which is one of the key factors to be a great teacher (you can be good without experience but not great, I think). But when experience meets digital nativity, I believe we will see the teachers that modern world requires more often. But I guess we need some time for that. There are many great teachers out there already though!
I would like to hear if your students also have impressions like the ones I have written about.
Do your students appreciate your usage of technology in the classroom?
Does this help them consider you ‘better’ than your colleagues?
Replies & Discussions are very much appreciated! Thanks!
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I work at a Private Primary School that has all the resources you mentioned and I agree wholeheartedly with your colleague that students definitely consider tech-savvy teachers "better" than the rest. That said, most if not all of the teachers I work with could be described as tech-savvy. All of the homerooms (K-8) have interactive whiteboards (Promethium boards) and Teachers are expected to use them extensively - and they do. Moodle is used at several levels, though most extensively (2 of 5 Language Arts lessons a week) at grade 8 by yours truly. All of the teachers have been equipped with laptops and gone are the DVD players, TV, CD players etc. of the past. Everything these days is done using a laptop, the whiteboard and/or a projector.
The sky's the limit!
:-) CoffeeAddict
Hi Osman,
Students do appreciate your usage of technology in the classroom. Take a look at this video called "you can't be my teacher" and a kid will answer your question.
Bülent
Dear Sir,
Please have a look at my new post about PREZI. It should answer your questions to some extent.
Yes, students are usually impressed with teachers who are more computer literate than they are. Kids are astonished to discover new web sites and learning opportunities on the web with us. There is one “but” for me here. I still believe that a good, experienced teacher can do better with a chalkboard than a bad one with an IWB. The use of technology does not exempt us from the use of “traditional” printed materials and communicative games as well as it is not an excuse for stagnating in terms of professional development and continued learning. It should not be a pretty cover for one’s incompetence only because students think it’s cool to have a teacher who frequently uses technology. (IMHO)
Cheers,
Elena
traditional teachers must improve themselves. Students changes their ideal as the technology develops. Teacher- students have got a goal but same goal. Teacher must use technology in order to have same goal with their students.
Thank you everyone for leaving the comments and expanding the topic. I loved reading all of them and each comment gives another perspective. I loved the video too!
Depends.
For me a teacher who refuses to update herself, her teaching skills whether new or experienced is a worse teacher. I know lots of tech savvy teachers who knows everything about technology and computer still doesn't search things to improve themselves.
A student, I believe, can see the difference between a bad teacher and a good teacher very well.
What do you think?
Cheers,
Eva
Dear Eva,
I prefer the teachers who can integrate their computer skills and teaching skills. As you told, some teachers are tech-savy, but they lack of using their abilities for educational purposes. I believe students can see the differences well but sometime they may tend to love tech-savy teachers more just because they are enjoying multimedia more. Maybe the topic could be taught in traditional way better in some situations.
All in all, it depends! :)
Thanks for passing by and stopping!