“The future of the nation is on the shoulders of teachers and how they teach the kids; the future of the world is in the classroom where the teachers are. And if we have any chance to guarantee a positive bridge to the 21st century, it is how we educate the children in the classrooms today. “- Richard Reginald Green
When I saw the slogan, “Teach me how to think, create, analyse, apply, invent…Engage me.” conspicuously displayed on the video, I asked myself quietly: How did (do) I teach? Did I fulfil my obligations faithfully and skilfully? Did I help my students acquire thinking skills, hone their creativity and critical faculties, realise the relevance of their learning and motivate them to produce new things?
Because of the infiltration of technology in almost all aspects of people’s lives, a new group of students called DNs whose number is increasing, apparently constitute a significant portion of the 21st century learners. This scenario carries significant implication on how teachers should teach today. With the availability of technological tools, it is certainly vital for educators to broaden the spectrum of their methods in order to respond to needs of the increasing number of DNs.
In re-appraising the nature of the teaching and learning process, however, teachers should not rely on technology alone. It certainly is vital but one should not forget that it is only one in a range of tools for enhancing teaching and learning. Technology is a means to achieve a desirable end; it is not the end itself. To note, the teaching process comprises of a number of elements which include teaching strategies and styles, instructional materials, classroom management, lesson planning, and the teacher himself or herself. The learning process, on the other hand, is influenced by the learner’s motivation, interests, IQ, learning styles and strategies, needs, interests, socioeconomic background, and the likes.
Technology can enhance the effectiveness of teaching practices. It can help sustain learners’ attention and make the learning and teaching process more fun-filled. But it cannot replace teachers. As learning and teaching entail a partnership between learners and teachers, a trusting and nurturing relationship between them play a crucial role in creating a favourable classroom atmosphere. Being a director, moderator, planner, adviser, mentor, guide, facilitator, arbiter, the teachers remain the most crucial element in the ‘teaching and learning process. “
Truly, to teach is to be an artist, a psychologist, a director, a manager, a technophile and more. It is a complex role not all individuals have the right personality and/or appropriate skills to handle effectively. It is a huge responsibility for it is through teaching that minds and hearts of future leaders are shaped. Technology plays a crucial role in it, but it may not suffice. What the world needs is a technology with a heart.
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I agree so much with your line that "Technology is a means to achieve a desirable end; it is not the end itself." Yes! We should not use technology thinking that it is be all and end all. We should harness its strength and use it to achieve our goals of educating our students to become good contributors of the economy when their time comes:), and to lead happy, upright, and fulfilling lives!
ReplyDeleteHey Eula
ReplyDeleteI am definitely on your side - that teachers cannot be replaced! Otherwise we'll all be out of jobs ;) On a serious note, I agree that Technology can enhance the effectiveness of teaching practices but then again,as teachers, we must know what we are doing and why we are doing it in a certain way, as in our earlier discussion, know what ICT is for and use it only if it adds value to achieve your obejctives. After reading Tan & McWilliam's article, I am kind of sceptical about whether we have arrived at the stage where we know why we need to have ICT in schools. Have we really achieved that change of mindset? that academic achievement and success should now be assessed and measured differently with the integration of ICT into the curriculum? Hmm....i think that is another milestone we have yet to cross .....
Hi Chiayen and Ras,
ReplyDeleteApologies for a very late response. Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I truly appreciate them.
I have not come up with answers to your questions, Ras. You gave me a number of reasons to read more...