Journal 1 - Do Our Teachers Need A Personal Trainer? (NETS-T 5)

This article discusses the benefits of an elementary school working closely with university students, in order to incorporate better technology in the classroom. One thing that stood out to me in this article was the fact that the elementary school students were using computer and Microsoft programs in second grade. It is surprising to me because I think of when I was in grade school; I didn’t even know how to use a computer. However, I think that it is great to start children on technology at an early age. Before this school began working with the Duquesne University, teachers were spending more time with an instructional technology coordinator. The students at the university were already creating integrated technology lesson plans. So, David Carbonara and Aileen Owens thought to match students to teacher needs. Allowing both the teacher and the student to learn from each other. The university students while helping the classroom teachers they were “learning the ropes” to classroom teaching. Rather than learning about it in a university classroom, they had the opportunity to experience it first hand in a classroom.

Some of the things that they taught were Word, netTrekker, Power Point, pod casts, and etc. As I mention earlier I think that both parties were able to benefit from this. The teachers learned more from having a student there to help them every step of the way, than with one instructional coordinator for the entire school. And as for the Duquesne University students, they gained experience and had integrated technology lesson plans to include in their portfolios.

Is it really a good idea to integrate so much technology into the classroom?
I personally think there is too much reliance on technology. Are we just creating lazy students and teachers? I have been substitute teaching for a little while now and hear students say “Why do we have to do this by hand, can't just use a calculator?” Today's students have become lazy and too reliant on technology. With the reliance on technology to complete assignments we are just alienating and making it hard for the student without access to a computer to complete assignments and thereby creating a classroom that is not equitable.

Is this a good program and should more colleges create partnerships with school districts to run a plan like this?
I do think that this benefits schools tremendously by giving future teachers training in creating lesson plans and experience in front of a class while also helping older teachers become more tech-savvy and streamline their teaching practices.

Owens, Aileen M. (Jun/Jul 2009). Do your teachers need a persona trainer?. Learning and Leading in Technology, Retrieved July 13, 2009 from, http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_ July.htm