Response to a blog (thing 2)

Is it OK to be a technologically illiterate teacher?

Can I just say, Amen? This post really resonated with me. I *hate* when people proudly announce "I'm technologically illiterate" ... One of my professors says that every time we have class! And I love the one commenters question about whether being able to do a powerpoint presentation constitutes being technologically literate - because I know many people who think powerpoint = technology. Especially in higher ed, colleagues will often say "I have to do a powerpoint to meet the tech requirement" (we are required to integrate technology into our teaching) - or worse yet, ask "does showing a video count as technology?"

Computer are EVERYWHERE. My husband's 91 year old GRANDMA is on facebook ... my 4 year old neice has an email account. And there are teachers who don't know how to access the school's webpage!

Honestly, once you get past the initial learning curve, almost everything is SO much easier!! Research for a paper, paying a bill, coordinating a night out with the girls ... You can find any song you want to hear, instantly. Don't have to wait for the radio to play it or go to the store and buy the CD, just go to lastfm or grooveshark! Need a picture for something? No need to dig through old magazines or try to draw it yourself - google images to the rescue! Miss last night's episode of your fave show? Hulu baby! Going on vacation? Don't worry about re-folding the huge roadmap - go to mapquest, print out your route and turn-by-turn directions. I could go on and on - but I won't.

As far as education goes, the possibilities are seemingly endless. You can find lesson plans, videos, photos, almost anything you need! Kids can write to other students across the globe and hear back from them almost instantly - or even videoconference with them (if you can work out the time differences) and SEE their classroom, materials, their teacher, etc. Learning about government? Watch a live stream of a congress session and videochat with your congressman afterwards!

I love the analogy in the bloggers post that compares being unable to use a computer in the 21st century to being unable to read and write in the 20th century. I wholeheartedly agree that currently you have many more opportunities available to you if you know how to use a computer, and that soon you won't be able to participate in society without at least a minimal level of experience and comfort with technology.