a teacher's perspective?

Question

“Computer training should be mandatory for anyone planning to become a teacher, no matter what subject the person will teach.”

agree/diagree
+reasons

Answer 1

Let's play Devil's Advocate; a good argument always does...

Computer training should be voluntary, not manditory. Although the workforce is turning younger and the newbies were raised on computers, this does not mean that teachers should be REQUIRED to become certified in technology. The web is a phenomenal resource, but books (especially encyclopedia) are still often quicker, easier, and more accurate in their reporting of information (think Wikipedia where a picture of Emperor Palpatine was placed under the new listing for Pope Benedict XVI).

Although PowerPoint makes for flashier presentations, teachers can still "entertain" as well as teach without having to spend a Sunday Afternoon creating a 10-minute presentation.

Legislators are complaining today that the US is falling behind the world because of a faulty education system, yet this was the same system that got them where they are today. Just because a teacher does not use online tools, flashy presentations, or streaming video, does not mean he/she cannot educate the student. In fact, many teachers who do create flashy presentations do not know their information as well as those who have taught without it for 20 years. Going into the ACT/SAT, who would you rather have teaching you - the entertainer or the grammar guru?

Training for current teachers can be expensive, especially if the training is never used. To mandate training, the school systems must establish a trainer (often paid upwards of $100/hour), computers - either on a cart or in a lab, and materials (like handouts) which will most likely be tossed on the way out by teachers who feel they have done it the same way for 20 years and won't change now. If it is to be mandated, the current teachers better be grandfathered.

I don't have the time to look it up, but is there any hard evidence that shows that kids who learn with computers score better on standardized tests than those who don't (no fair comparing wealthy districts to poor districts - there are many more factors involved other than how many computers are used)?

Based soley on the students in my classroom, I would guess (and if I were really arguing this, I'd look it up) that it does not make a difference. Those who do bring technology (Palm Pilots/Laptops) are often more distracted during lessons, wanting to play, using the technology as a toy instead of a tool.

Teachers who do use PowerPoint and other technologies in classroom are losing precious content time as they must block time to teach the program. I can't simply tell my students to create a PowerPoint presentation without first teaching them the basics of the program. That sounds like the Federal Government and NCLB: "You must jump through all these hoops, but we are not going to help you, and if you fail, it is YOUR fault."

Ahhh...that's enough of a rant. I really do agree that teachers need to use technology in the classroom, but I would never make it mandatory.

Answer 2

Disagree. I'm twenty-three years old and I'm a middle school teacher. I grew up with computers. I've never been in a situation where I needed to use a computer for work purposes but not known how. Maybe really old people who haven't used many computers need some training, but it shouldn't be mandatory for everyone.

Answer 3

Agree. I'm a dinosaur. Been teaching for 20 years. A teacher MUST have average to above skills in Word (letters home, various documents), Power Point (Smart boards are the future as are LCD projectors), and of course The Web (answering questions, Friday surfing Ha Ha). Most teachers had a fit when our school first got these bad boys a few years ago, but now they are as important as the paddle (kidding).

Long Live the Web!

Answer 4

I agree. Computers are a tool all teachers should use in SOME way. Most schools use email to communicate within the school, so basic computer skills would be a must. It would also be irresponsible to completely disregard the plethora of resources available through the use of computers.

Answer 5

I am a recently retired elem teacher and we started teaching them in K. WE had a marvelous computer lab that was a classroom of 30 computers and we taught it. Personally, in this day and age, I think not knowing computer skills would be like not teaching them to read.

Answer 6

I totally agree. Teachers must keep up with their students. Technology has become such a necessity today. You can find so much information in such little time. It would save a lot of time consuming research done by hand. It also saves space by eliminating paper in record keeping.

Answer 7

My district has computerized grade book and lesson plans. If a teacher is to comply with district policies, then computer training is mandatory.

Answer 8

Is this a question for a test? A credential or something?

You REALLY can't answer this one on your own???

Answer 9

It is... and we have to renew our computer certification every 3 years to keep current... at least in california.