I believe that addressing the diverse issues that are faced in education is increasingly important as the world continues to change. The goal of a master teacher should be to create well-rounded human beings that are equipped with the knowledge to be successful outside of the school setting. Not only do we need to ensure students understand the content at the level it is being taught, it is essential that master teachers help students to be tolerant and informed human beings. Being an effective member of society includes much more than knowledge-base, more importantly it includes being able to socially interact and accept other members of society.
In order for us to accomplish this goal, I feel that technology has to play a role in the education of today’s students. Schools and teachers who are not using technology as part of the classroom are doing a disservice to their students. Teachers who use technology in their classroom are going to be more successful in gaining the attention of today’s students. The students that are going through our schools today only know of a world in which not only do the majority of the households have a computer, they also have the Internet, smart phones, and other technology that they use on an everyday basis.
With technology advancing at such a rapid rate, it is important for teachers to continue their education in order to best utilize this new technology as it is developed. If a teacher is not willing to put in the time and effort to update their knowledge level in the area of technology, they will not only be passed up by those teachers who understand and use technology in their classrooms but also by the students who are in their classroom.
I feel that this furthering of a teacher’s education can provide some additional benefit to their students. Students will see that their teachers are putting in the time and effort to further their education in order to keep up with the latest and greatest ideas and hopefully this will instill and excitement for knowledge for the students. I think it is priceless for students to see adults furthering their education and pursuing higher degrees to show the students that there is no limit and no end to the education that we need in today’s world.
A favorite quote of mine that deals with technology that I have heard but do not know the source is “Technology will never replace teachers, but teachers who use technology will replace those that do not.” Based on things that I have learned throughout the completion of the MSET program, I believe that this statement could be taken even a step farther. Simply putting technology in the hands of the students is only part of the battle. If a teacher simply has their students use technology to surf the Web for information and then present that information in a word processor document or slideshow, then they are not teaching their students the full potential of technology. Today’s teachers need to teach students how to use technology to connect and collaborate together.