While reading a blog today on Classroom20.com I came across an entry that wondered why education is so behind in adopting technology. Here was my reply:
We’re behind because we can be!
I hate to say it, but think about it. We all could find an almost unlimited number of teachers who have no use for technology, and who use no more than may be required for reporting of grades or attendance. The result? Same as always; some kids pass, some kids fail, the teacher keeps the students for the semester or the year, sends them on ready or not, gets paid on a regular basis, secure in a tenured position. On the other hand, the results for teachers using technology? Some kids pass, some kids fail, the teacher keeps the students for the semester or the year, sends them on ready or not, gets paid on a regular basis, and marches toward retirement. Oh yes, I forgot, the teachers who are using the latest technology to help their students are working much harder (but that can’t be reflected in pay or anything more than the intrinsic knowledge of a job well done).
Our problem is not the lack of technology adoption. Our problem is not a lack of caring or commitment to kids. Our problem is the 100 year old institution of “School” that for some reason we hold so sacred.
By using technology could our students learn any subject more quickly? By applying what we know from brain research and by actually benefitting from the billions of dollars spent over the years on professional development and computer hardware and software, shouldn’t we be able to cause learning to occur more rapidly and effectively? You bet! But the system won’t let Maria out of Algebra I until she has served her time; it won’t let John out of US History, no matter how much the technology we serve him with sparks learning, interest and a passion for the subject. He still has to serve his time in the class. It’s a joke. He knows it, and deep down, if we think about it, we all know it.
Why should John or Maria or their teachers rush to use technology? The system doesn’t really care about their learning.
School was not set up to help individuals learn at higher levels. School was set up like an assembly line, a reflection of the best thinking of the day, but it’s woefully rusted out in the 21st century.
Why don’t we free the future for our learners? Why don’t we free the future so that we can be the educators who spark, kindle, ignite and fan the fire of learning with all the marvelous tools at our disposal?
When will we understand that “School reform” of any type, no matter how well intentioned, and individual student achievement, are mutually exclusive terms? We simply cannot both strengthen SCHOOLS AND empower each of our children to learn at high levels. That’s not to say there aren’t schools doing better and better things for kids, but let’s look at the facts, let’s examine the data.
Who wants better schools? I sure don’t! What I want are learning opportunities for every child in this country that are mass customized to their interests and needs. This is the 21st century! We CAN do that today. We have the tools, we just don’t have a system to allow it. I’m not arguing that we close down our schools; not at all. I’m just saying that those buildings are just one of dozens of apps on a student’s “learning iPod”.
It’s time to claim the 21st century and its opportunities for learning for our children!
