Thing 1 Reflection

Educators who have been in the field for more than 5-10 sorely need to get caught up to where the newer teachers are and our student bodies. I *used* to consider myself literate and up-to-date with many of the latest gizmos for technology, but no longer.

As I see it there are two major challenges:
1) Getting the teachers caught up to where the students are, and using the technology in the classroom; and
2) Dealing with school districts who have not been able to keep up with the latest technologies, for whatever reason

After watching the video last night I mentioned the suggested lesson about text messaging and getting 3 responses in 10 minutes. There wasn't one student who seemed to think that it would difficult, and most commented that they wouldn't need all of the 10 minutes. There were several who knew that could get the bonus points but getting a response from someone in a foreign country. Our school district does not allow the possession of phones in the classroom let alone using them for lessons. That will take a major shift in paradigms for education.

Hopefully throughout this process I will find ways to achieve and implement some new technology into the classroom, and perhaps find sources for funding of these lessons.