Technology in our world is every changing and becoming an integral part of everyone’ s day to day life. Whether or not people like the changes that technology brings, the changes have come, are here to stay and impact the way student’s need to learn.
Assessing educator’s technology leadership has it pros and cons. On the pro side it will become evident where our educators are at in their proficiency in using technology and integrating it successfully into education. This will enable schools to see the strengths and weaknesses and provide what is needed when an area of deficiency shows itself. On the other hand in assessing teacher’s knowledge and skills a problem could arise if the situation of that educator is not fully understood. Is the educator in a school where little technology access is provided? Is time offered to them in the area of professional development? A school may say these things are provided, when indeed they are not. Then the teacher will look bad, when they truly may be excellent. Also should a teacher’s excellence be determined mainly upon their ability to use and implement technology or their ability to reach the hearts of their students.
Assessing student’s skills and perceived needs is a huge plus when at the end of the assessment responsibility is taken to make up for any deficiencies. If they have excellent skill levels they can be encouraged and the school will know it is reaching its goals. On the other hand a student may assess poorly in technology skills and yet have areas of strength and character that are not assessed. They may be deemed a failure, when indeed their skill sets may lie in drawing, athletics, hands on building, and ability to care for others. Could we end up focused so much on technology that we forget to look at the child as a whole? Will the children who are not technologically savvy then not be affirmed and looked down upon?
No comments:
Post a Comment