Yes, education is preparing students for what they will encounter in the real world. And it is so true that technology is here and millennials do breathe technology. Technology is so "normal" to our current generation that they can't imagine what it was like without it. (I am like you...I can remember when there was no such thing as a cell phone and I was SO excited to get a typewriter for graduation.)
It's hard to prepare kids for the "world" when technology continually grows. It grows and grows and grows so quickly, we can hardly keep up. I have heard it said that we are preparing kids for jobs that don't exist yet. That is a scary thought. So - how do we do that?
My belief is to first of all help them grow to be disciples of Christ. God will equip them with what they need. We, of course, need to do all we can to keep up with current trends. But as Christian teachers, we need to prepare kids to do His work in the world. We can also help prepare them by showing them ways to use their brain (critical thinking) so that they will be able to adapt to the new technologies that are on the way.
Krista, Your video had me smiling from the get-go! I bet your students have that experience a lot. While you confess not to know as much about technology as some, you clearly know how to engage and teach. The Millenials do practically breathe technology, but I do believe they are missing an important component of using it. While it is almost intuitive, they sometimes take such a casual approach to using technology that they overlook some of the more formal (and structurally important) parts of use. I've had class with Pam Jimison before, and she always has such a positive and sensible way to remind us to put God first, and to let him do the heavy lifing as only He can. With His help, we can build on the millenial instincts and hurtle ourselves into the tech world where we can reach them.
Nice video! I agree with your premise. Although they find different levels of comfort with application of technology, they all breath the stuff! While technology makes it easier to find sources and bring resources to bear, as we demand more in-depth use of those tools, students will stratify. Those who are more comfortable on the entertainment end of the line will become more resistant, while those who are true natives in the new technology world we are offering them will embrace the opportunity to use new tools in new ways.
Hi Krista, Great job! I am so proud that you were able to get the video uploaded Wednesday :) (By the way, there is no such thing as a dumb question - we are all learners so ask away :)
What is the focus of your doctoral research? Where does your passion lie? Have you discovered a gap in the literature yet?
Looking forward to your thoughts and lots and lots of questions, Dr. Courduff
Hi Krista ~ You make me smile!!! It was frustrating this week because I couldn't get my video to upload and then my youngest has been really sick with a stomach virus so I'm behind a little and your video is what I needed to get me started. I love the 3 words you use "Millennials Breathe Technology". Like you, I was once without technology and I grinned reading Pam's reply because like her, I too was so excited just to get a typewriter for graduation. I thought I was something else getting that typewriter too; and now look at us. We do need to step up to the know how's as teachers and I have a long way to go but am looking forward to the learning experience this course has to offer. Technology is all foreign language to me. Blessings ~ Ruth Sholes ~ Phil. 4:13
Hello Everyone--My heart goes out to our friends on the Eastern coastline. I live close to the Joplin, MO area who had the bad tornado a year ago. The majority of the city was completely destroyed. If anything good came from it, we were able to see that Christian values are still alive and well. You are in the country's prayers and thoughts. Bless your hearts. Bless your hearts.
We have had an interesting assignment this week. We heard many different variations of the most important points of the technology world. I believe Mr. Ozolnieks touched on the situation I am seeing with technology in my school. He mentioned the immigrants (people who have taken on and learned technology) and the natives (the later GenXers and Millennials who have never lived without it). I believe herein lies the biggest challenge for my school and schools in our conference. Faculties are of mixed ages and training, as they have always been since the years following WWII when schools changed to the form we see today. The gap is growing wider however, as schools use limited resources to cover a variety of programs including the expensive technology issues. Some teachers reject learning any of the new technology ideas by ranting about the useless nature and waste of funds. I was one of those people several years ago mainly because it was thrown at us without the proper training. Our tech guy was a good history teacher but a poor and extremely arrogant tech teacher. Many people simply rejected his taunting nature during the inservice meetings. We lost precious time. As the years flew by and younger, tech-savvy teachers hired on, I changed my views about educational technology. When my husband passed away ten years ago, I was forced to become even more independent in my thinking. One of those areas was knowing I needed to keep teaching and I needed to step up and learn everything I could about the tech world. It is a slow process. I avoid asking questions of the teachers who have the same "make fun of the question" attitude the early tech guru had. I avoid them. I have no time for people who will not share the knowledge they have in an attempt to make themselves feel powerful. I have a group of teachers with whom I can discuss tech issues. We share information and we all are the winners. I believe the key point of educational technology is our willingness as seasoned teachers to learn the ways of the future and the knowledeable techies to recognize their opportunity to be a huge part of moving schools into using technology in a precise and admirable direction.
Yes, education is preparing students for what they will encounter in the real world. And it is so true that technology is here and millennials do breathe technology. Technology is so "normal" to our current generation that they can't imagine what it was like without it. (I am like you...I can remember when there was no such thing as a cell phone and I was SO excited to get a typewriter for graduation.)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to prepare kids for the "world" when technology continually grows. It grows and grows and grows so quickly, we can hardly keep up. I have heard it said that we are preparing kids for jobs that don't exist yet. That is a scary thought. So - how do we do that?
My belief is to first of all help them grow to be disciples of Christ. God will equip them with what they need. We, of course, need to do all we can to keep up with current trends. But as Christian teachers, we need to prepare kids to do His work in the world. We can also help prepare them by showing them ways to use their brain (critical thinking) so that they will be able to adapt to the new technologies that are on the way.
Thanks for your thoughtful post!
Pam
Krista,
ReplyDeleteYour video had me smiling from the get-go! I bet your students have that experience a lot. While you confess not to know as much about technology as some, you clearly know how to engage and teach. The Millenials do practically breathe technology, but I do believe they are missing an important component of using it. While it is almost intuitive, they sometimes take such a casual approach to using technology that they overlook some of the more formal (and structurally important) parts of use. I've had class with Pam Jimison before, and she always has such a positive and sensible way to remind us to put God first, and to let him do the heavy lifing as only He can. With His help, we can build on the millenial instincts and hurtle ourselves into the tech world where we can reach them.
Thank you,
Dyan Lester
Nice video! I agree with your premise. Although they find different levels of comfort with application of technology, they all breath the stuff! While technology makes it easier to find sources and bring resources to bear, as we demand more in-depth use of those tools, students will stratify. Those who are more comfortable on the entertainment end of the line will become more resistant, while those who are true natives in the new technology world we are offering them will embrace the opportunity to use new tools in new ways.
ReplyDeleteHi Krista,
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I am so proud that you were able to get the video uploaded Wednesday :) (By the way, there is no such thing as a dumb question - we are all learners so ask away :)
What is the focus of your doctoral research? Where does your passion lie? Have you discovered a gap in the literature yet?
Looking forward to your thoughts and lots and lots of questions,
Dr. Courduff
Hi Krista ~
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile!!! It was frustrating this week because I couldn't get my video to upload and then my youngest has been really sick with a stomach virus so I'm behind a little and your video is what I needed to get me started. I love the 3 words you use "Millennials Breathe Technology". Like you, I was once without technology and I grinned reading Pam's reply because like her, I too was so excited just to get a typewriter for graduation. I thought I was something else getting that typewriter too; and now look at us. We do need to step up to the know how's as teachers and I have a long way to go but am looking forward to the learning experience this course has to offer. Technology is all foreign language to me.
Blessings ~ Ruth Sholes ~ Phil. 4:13
Hello Everyone--My heart goes out to our friends on the Eastern coastline. I live close to the Joplin, MO area who had the bad tornado a year ago. The majority of the city was completely destroyed. If anything good came from it, we were able to see that Christian values are still alive and well. You are in the country's prayers and thoughts. Bless your hearts. Bless your hearts.
ReplyDeleteMost Important Point: Here's what I'm hearing.
ReplyDeleteWe have had an interesting assignment this week. We heard many different variations of the most important points of the technology world. I believe Mr. Ozolnieks touched on the situation I am seeing with technology in my school. He mentioned the immigrants (people who have taken on and learned technology) and the natives (the later GenXers and Millennials who have never lived without it). I believe herein lies the biggest challenge for my school and schools in our conference. Faculties are of mixed ages and training, as they have always been since the years following WWII when schools changed to the form we see today. The gap is growing wider however, as schools use limited resources to cover a variety of programs including the expensive technology issues. Some teachers reject learning any of the new technology ideas by ranting about the useless nature and waste of funds. I was one of those people several years ago mainly because it was thrown at us without the proper training. Our tech guy was a good history teacher but a poor and extremely arrogant tech teacher. Many people simply rejected his taunting nature during the inservice meetings. We lost precious time. As the years flew by and younger, tech-savvy teachers hired on, I changed my views about educational technology. When my husband passed away ten years ago, I was forced to become even more independent in my thinking. One of those areas was knowing I needed to keep teaching and I needed to step up and learn everything I could about the tech world. It is a slow process. I avoid asking questions of the teachers who have the same "make fun of the question" attitude the early tech guru had. I avoid them. I have no time for people who will not share the knowledge they have in an attempt to make themselves feel powerful. I have a group of teachers with whom I can discuss tech issues. We share information and we all are the winners. I believe the key point of educational technology is our willingness as seasoned teachers to learn the ways of the future and the knowledeable techies to recognize their opportunity to be a huge part of moving schools into using technology in a precise and admirable direction.