Technology in the Classroom

Not so long ago, teachers did not have to combat the constant allure of technology in the classroom. They merely had to control classroom talking, note passing, and the occasional sleeping student. In today's classroom, the cellphone/ipod/ipad amalgamation is an omnipresent distraction. The question teachers face is whether to pause the class and reprimand the offending student/students or to ignore the problem.

In writing, teachers must face the plague of text speak. Students no longer capitalize their I's or spell out such things as you. They write in short, jaunty little fragments and treat grammar as a dirty word.

There is no question that technology has changed the atmosphere of the classroom and the mindset of the student. The speed of the internet has made student's crave instant gratification. The mass amount of knowledge available at a click on Google has made them shun the library. The question is, "What is a teacher to do with this changing classroom environment?" Should instructors fight with vigor, attempting to distance their students from twitter, facebook, and the like?

In order for students and instructors to really thrive, instructors must abandon the hopeless fight against technology. What cannot be driven out must be embraced and incorporated into assignments. Instead of forcing students off the computers, they must be sent there to do their work. Online programs such as Audacity can turn an average paper assignment into an audio presentation to be played in class. Traditional journals written in class can be transformed into blogs on blogspot where all the students can read and respond to each other's work. Whole classes can take place on online chat and students can create films on their computers instead of traditional poster boards.

Technology is now the norm. It is an important part of education now and assignments must adapt to include it. The days of pen and paper are over.

Teachers need to feed the belly of the beast to stroke the interest of the modern day student. Teachers at the end of their careers must adapt or become extinct relics of a time long ago becoming dinosaurs to their students. The best teacher changes, adapts, and conforms. It is key to classroom survival.