Teaching with Tech: How Blending Education and Technology Gives You a Leg Up in the Workforce

WITH TEACHING ТЕCH First, the bad news. For aspiring teachers, there's a big gap between the tech skills they have, and the skills Principals demand. THE SKILLS ASPIRING TEACHERS HAVE THE SKILLS PRINCIPALS DEMAND Ability to use digital media Identify quality digital content for class Incorporating student owned devices Using social media in class Teaching an online class 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% But that isn't to say that teachers aren't open to using technology to teach. 68% of teachers want more classroom Teachers Want technology; respondents from low-income schools even more so, with 75% saying More Tech! they wanted more classroom tech. 45% of teachers say they give their Online Gaming on the Rise students access to web-based educational games or activities. 43% use online video, images and articles to enhance their lessons. 65% of teachers report that Technology to the Rescue technology allows them to demonstrate something they weren't able to show in any other way. So how can teachers embrace tech tools? Start with these four steps... 1. Find the Right Tools "Teachers need to continually seek out the innovative technologies that will engage their students in their learning. Not to use technology for the sake of technology, rather the best tool that will enhance and support their learning." 2. Introduce 0ne Tool at a Time EASY "Take a well-developed lesson and implement one effective and appropriate technology tool to enhance and deepen the learning." 3. Learn to Evaluate Tech "A good program of study will help prospective graduates learn how to effectively evaluate the proper technology tools needed and to implement them appropriately into well-designed lessons." 4. Use Tech to Engage Students "Tech-sawy teachers use Wikis, Screencasts, and a variety of powerful websites to engage their students in meaningful collaboration and creativity." Mike Ramirez, MET, MAED. Instructional Technologist, Assistant professor of Education, and Coordinator of Technology Enhanced Teaching at Midamerica Nazarene University MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY Sources: tomorrow.org/speakup/tomorrowsteachers_report2013.html Edudemic.com May 2013 Harris Interactive Poll of US Teachers