WEEK 2/EDLD 5306 Post #1

Educator Preparation and Development

As we enter the 21st century, we enter a digital age. The industrial age is transforming into a digital and technological age. Our students nowadays, have no idea what life was like back in the day when there weren't cell phones, ipods, and computers. They are learning in a whole different way than how most of us were taught, paper and pencil. We need to move from traditional education to 21st century learning.

We as educators need to learn how to effectively teach 21st century learning with technology. Professional development needs to teach teachers how to transorm their teaching and learning into lessons that are going to keep out students engaged. By not preparing our students for a digital future then we are doing them a disservice. Their are certain guidelines set up through the SBEC Technology Application Standards for districts to use. Teachers that are entering the field nowadays are required to be proficient with technology.

I would say our campus is split down the middle. We have an older crowd and a very young crowd, in which most of them are very proficient with the computer and technology. Many of educators that have been there for years are more reluctant to change. they feel that they've been successful in the past, so why mess up a good thing. They just don't understand that by not giving the students what they really need to be successful in their futures. Yes, what they've done might have worked, so let's add technology to it, so that our students can be successful when they graduate high school and go on to college. Core curriculm subjects can have technology integrated into them. The technology should support the curriculm and bring about learning opportunities that would not be possible without the technology.

Professional development needs to be an ongoing job embedded process, in order for the veteran teachers to be successful at it. Distance learning and online classes are another way for educators to be trained. Our campus is making strides to be technology friendly and for our students to be engaged. I plan on implementing some of the blogging ideas for next year's lesson plans. The only drawback will be only being able to get to the computer lab once a week.