Teachers and Technology–some doubts
Posted in Uncategorized, technology on June 10th, 2009 and tagged technology, web 2.0Beginning tomorrow, I’ll be attending and presenting at “ELTing in a Hi- tech World” at the Instituto Dominico Americano in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I’ll be well accompanied since Susan Gaer will also be presenting. I’ll be giving a plenary, an introduction to Web 2.0, and two talks on blended learning and listening comprehension.
I’m writing this from Santo Domingo…a very nice place. However, here come my doubts. More and more schools and organizations are planning events dealing with technology and teachers attending the events seem to come to the “techy” talks, but how many of these teachers will really use what they see? Not because they don’t want to, but rather because the speakers are assuming a much higher level of technical knowledge than the teachers have.
I hope I’m wrong, but I really don’t think most classroom teachers use technology much beyond the level of checking email and making calls on their cellphones. (Just to be clear, I usually give my technology talks in Mexico, but I have given them in other Latin American countries.)
I must admit, I have noted changes in the last few years. Around two years ago I was surprised when I asked a group of middle school teachers outside of the Federal District in Mexico if they had email addresses—they all did.
Recently I have asked attendees if their schools have Interactive White Boards (IWB)…very few do. When I ask if they use the Internet, most raise their hands and when I ask if they have read a blog, maybe 75% have. However, if I ask if they have a blog (even if they write in it as irregularly as I do), I only get one or two hands raised.
I plan to ask participants here in Santo Domingo how much they use different kinds of technology in their classes. I’ll report back on the results on Friday.
