Technology and Education

Technology Skills are Important

Today I came across a very interesting article titled ‘Technology Offers Opportunities, Challenges for Substitute Teachers” in US News and World Report.  I found it to be particularly pertinent as I’d had a similar conversation with the head of a substitute office in a major urban district just yesterday afternoon.  She let me know that her substitute teachers could use more educational technology skills and more technology skills period.

Educational Technology Skills

There are specific tools that are used in classrooms like interactive whiteboards (SMARTBoards and Promethean Boards, for example).  If you know how to use such a tool the classroom teacher can leave the lesson on his/her computer and you can just run the lesson plan using the board.  But if you don’t know how to use this tool and the classroom teacher did not leave a paper-based lesson for you, the lesson may turn into silent reading or study hall, which is a waste for the students, teacher, and sub teacher.

Skipping the lesson will also lead to more misbehavior.  Substitute teachers are sometimes under the false impression that students prefer to be given a ‘free’ period like study hall.  Unfortunately today’s students are savvy enough to know when someone is wasting their time.  They may resent being ‘babysat’ by someone who is not capable of delivering the lesson.  Or they may grow bored.  Either way, period-long study hall often turns into an effort to maintain control and keep the volume down.

If the school district in which you plan to work uses educational technology tools such as interactive whiteboards, it is an excellent idea to seek training in the use of those tools.  It will add to your overall success and will result in your being offered more opportunities.

There are great FREE videos on You Tube that demonstrate how to use interactive whiteboards.  To visit those links, login to EDTrainingCenter and click the Go to My Training link.  Click the Browse Resources tab to view all the additional resources we offer.

Do you Google things?

General Technology Skills

Do you know how to get on and off the internet?  Do you understand the difference between a browser and a search engine?  Are you familiar with Microsoft Windows?  What about Microsoft Office products, with WORD and POWERPOINT being of particular importance?

You may wonder if it really matters if you have these skills.  The truth is that yes, it does matter.  Substitute teachers who are comfortable with basic technology and the internet in particular will be more successful and more valued by their school districts.  Sorry, but that is just the truth.  The reason for this is twofold:

• Today’s classroom frequently uses technology to deliver and/or support lessons (see above).  If you cannot navigate the internet and the day’s lesson requires it, you will have difficulty delivering it at all.
• Today’s kids are tech-savvy.  It’s not essential that you be as zippy as today’s kids, but you have to have some clue about the internet, text messaging, social networking, etc.  If you don’t then the kids will run circles around you while you attempt to teach.  They will text each other, hop on Facebook, and visit unauthorized internet sites.

What do we suggest?  Two things will serve you well:

• The first is to try to get as much opportunity to access the internet as possible and get comfortable with basic aspects like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, LinkedIn (great for your career), webmail, etc.
• The second is to seek training in basic computing.  If you are not familiar with Microsoft Windows (or Mac OS), or Microsoft Office (or Google Docs, which is free), then you may very well need to further your education.  EDTrainingCenter offers TONS of high-quality training in these areas.   Just click to browse these resources.

Regardless of whether substitute teaching is a stepping stone to a permanent position, a temporary stop on your career path, or something you simply enjoy, you will be a better substitute teacher if you take advantage of every opportunity to improve your skills and technology skills are no exception.

[tags] EDTrainingCenter.com, technology skills, educational technology, SMART Boards, Promethean Boards  [/tags]