Reflections on Today’s Education

by Tom Whitby
Professor of Education in Secondary English. Linkedin group founder and owner of Technology-Using Professors, TWITTER-Using Educators, as well as NING-Using Educators.

Reflections on Today’s Education from an Old Guy, or Experienced Educator...

Getting older has its perks, not many, but some. As a retired Public school teacher, I can look back over a 34 year career and make some observations based on my personal experience and share them with others whether or not my audience agrees. My experiences prepared me for my observations, so agreement with my opinions by others is not necessary. I taught at a time in Education when teaching was steeped in tradition. “If it worked for me when I went to school, it will work for these kids today.” That was the attitude of many of the educators that I worked with, and one that I myself subscribed to. It carried us through decades of education. Unfortunately for today’s students, some educators might share that view even today.

Information is the commodity that we as educators deal with. It comes to us in many forms. In my day it came to us by way of encyclopedias, books, journals, magazines, newspapers, radio, and television. These were the sources of information for educators back in the day. I bought a four function calculator from Sears for $99 to do my averages. This was in the 70’s. It may be ages ago for you, but it was yesterday for me. That should offer a snapshot as to where technology was then.

For whatever the reason many educators stick with the tried and true. This is not a bad thing, but it is not a great atmosphere for change. Before change occurs committees need to be formed, research must be completed and finally everyone must buy into it before it happens. Yes, I understand we need to do research, but why is it that the one guy who never wants to change anything always stands up in a meeting and calls out “Show me the research that says this will work”. This all takes time but it is a safe way to go.

Unfortunately, at the rate information is formed and communicated today, what was relevant six months ago may no longer apply by the time a decision is made about the direction a school will take, especially in the area of Technology. I could never understand why so many schools required a five year plan for technology. Six months in technology terms could wipe out an application’s use or make certain hardware obsolete. Remember eight tracks, Beta video, or Laser discs?

With all of that laying out the groundwork I can now get to the point of this Post. Why we should develop a Professional Learning Network. The analogy of the dinosaurs not being able to adapt and then being wiped from existence from Earth never worked for me. I never saw the relevance. General Motors however, means something to me. It was once believed by many if it is good for GM it is good for the country. That held true for decades. GM however did not look to the future and read or interpret the information and trends that were so obvious to others. Bigger is not always better. Remember the Private jet ride to ask the government for money?

We as educators need to learn to look to the future and read the trends as we use information to teach kids how to learn. We cannot rely on the past performers. Literacy takes on a whole new dimension in terms of technology. Encyclopedias are expensive and can only be updated after a period of years. Textbooks are being replaced by E-readers affording students with more bells and whistles than the printed page can offer. Newspapers and Magazines are disappearing on a regular basis, being replaced by digital alternatives. The Internet is the digital Library. Access to that Library is no longer the expensive PC but rather the mobile phone. We must understand and accept that these changes are real and lasting until the next technological advancement takes hold. We cannot tell our students that we are not comfortable using an E-reader rather than a book. If this is what the future holds, then our comfort is irrelevant to one who will live with that E-reader as reality.

I am not saying that to be a good teacher that one must use technology for every lesson in the classroom. Any good teacher can engage students with any number of conventional teaching methods which have worked over the years. I do believe that if we as educators want to keep up with the pace of information’s delivery, we cannot maintain business as usual. We need to communicate and share ideas, collaborate with other educators, learn about and deliver best practices of other educators. This is all possible through the use of Social Media and the Professional Learning Network.

Information did not stop developing the day we received our last degree or our teaching certificates. We need to keep up with that which we need to know, in order to be relevant to our students. Students should not need to go to the internet for what they do not learn in school. As Adults in an ever-changing world we can make choices to use technology or not. That same choice will not hold true for our students. Technology will be the delivery system of their information. We need to teach them how to learn with that system so that they may continue to learn after us.

I managed to come to these conclusions based on that which I have learned from the People of my Professional Learning Network. Not bad for an old guy trying to stay relevant.

Comments

[Liz Farrell]

This was a very enlightening read for me. I'm someone who is usually fairly hesitant about things, just because I'm not very good with technology. However the more I read on this subject the more I come to understand that it really is a good thing if used properly. My mother has been teaching for over 30 years and is very overwhelmed and put off by all of the new technology entering into her school. I'm going to show her this to try to help her understand the benefits technology offers. It's interesting how some people can adapt and some can't. I think in reality it's really about the fact that some people are willing to adapt and others are not.

[Mohammed Rhalmi]

Great post! I totally agree with you! To keep up with what's happening in the world of technology, we need to update our knowledge with what our students are already familiar with!!!

[Shelley]

My network of enthusiastic life-long learners has made me much more intrepid about my own learning, and I think/hope that vibe feeds into my work with students.

Thanks for all you do, Tom, and for continuing to learn... out loud!

[Harold Shaw]

Technology is change and change is scary for many teachers.

It means that we have to go out of our comfort zones and do things differently than the past. Isn't that what life is all about - change and yes it does have a bit of Social Darwinism about it. You either come to terms with it or you get left behind.

I do get rather tired of the stereotypes that seem abound out there about the aging resistant teacher who abhors technology.

Just because a teacher does have silver on top - does not mean that will not adopt or embrace technology and today's Web2.0. Everyone seems to overlook or forget that our generation is the one that invented most of this technology.

Many of us have been using this "stuff" since Windows 1.0, the Commodore and the old Apples.

Many of the Web2.0 evangelists seem to have plenty of the gray on the outside as well as the inside - so it isn't the stereotypical aging teacher who always disregards the evils of technology.

I do not believe it is a generational "thing" but more of a conscious choice by individual teachers not to continue to develop themselves professionally or use the tools that are now available to all of us.

It is up to each of us as has been said in other comments that we provide leadership and guidance to those who are willing and need out help. Natural selection will eventually take care of the rest as they are pressured more and more to use teachnology in their classroom, if they choose not to.

I proudly carry my laptop to work everyday and for those who are hesitant to join me on the journey or mock me for being a "geek", I simply tell them I don't look back something is gaining on them and it isn't just their age. But hey that is stereotyping or is it?

Thanks for the soapbox :)

[Sandra Adkins]

Thank you for your thoughts and I totally agree. The same "lecture" method doesn't work for all students. You see, I see the kids after they drop out of school because it didn't "work" for them. They come to my classroom to pursue their GED. We study on-line to prepare, we try out new technology (that I found by the way through my Twitter PLN). But even at that Social Media is blocked on my students internet connection (decision made by those above me) so I can't use those tools for teaching. Some of the technology works and some bombs for me - just makes me go back and rethink how I presented it.

Students have such a wide variety of tools available to them. However, we still need to be providing them with the basics - you shouldn't have to look up what 2 times 2 equals or use a calculator to figure that out. We need to have them practice and understand how to evaluate what they find - it is a valid resource - can you find the information collaborated on another site (and NOT Wikipedia!)

Wikipedia is a pet peeve of mine - I think it is a great starting place for research but it should not be used as a primary resource due to its nature that everyone can edit it.

I find myself suggesting some great sites to my daughters computer teacher - someone you would think would be up to date (or at least trying to be)! It amazes me sometimes that people can be so closed minded to try something new - you can't fail if you don't try and if you fail you try again. Shouldn't we be teaching this to our students. Failure isn't the end - just one more way that we found that won't work (Edison).

I want to thank all the people that I follow - you all are great in sharing what you know and how you have tried to do things - I love learning from you!

[Mary Beth Hertz]

"Information did not stop developing the day we received our last degree or our teaching certificates."

With that one sentence you've basically summed up what we as educators need to keep in mind in order to be masters of our trade. No other profession in the world (that I can think of--maybe wine and beer making?) keeps doing things the same way no matter what new comes along.

We need to hold teachers accountable, but also provide them with the support they need to take the step toward new tools and methodologies.

Thanks for starting this conversation!

[Bonnie Frampton Faust]

The ones who refuse to 'adapt'? They will find themselves 'phased out' eventually. The tide will turn, as the new teachers like myself gain a foothold in education. The dinosaurs (or General Motors) will find themselves obsolete and unable to compete. Eventually they will find themselves at a crossroads where they will have to adapt or retire.

That said, there are some amazing educators out there who do NOT use technology...but not because they are against it, but because they haven't necessarily seen a need for it (in their opinion). I believe it is OUR duty (the believers!) to gently show them the way, but in a way that compliments what they are doing, not overhauling their (already proven) methods. An 'added value'.

Three months ago I had never heard of Ning and I had never Twittered. I used FaceBook and was familiar with MySpace. At 40 years old, I have peers who don't have an email address (except at work, because they 'have to') and think an iPod is only for music. As a parent, I'm finding myself 'homeschooling' my daughter a lot of technology, how to use it properly and safely, and I'm already surprised to find that she's quickly showing ME things (she's begging me to teach her about podcasting). I'm already seeing exponential growth in my very own home. I can't even wrap my head around what we will see in the next 10 years but i'm excited to be a part of it! And I'm hoping that students like my daughter will also help pave the way, by DEMANDING to learn the way they need to; creatively and collaboratively.

I agree with both Carl and Angela though; I think we need to keep talking, encouraging, demonstrating and learning. For the sake of our students, our children, and our own future (after all, they'll be taking care of us, right?) its our responsibility. At the same time, you can't take everyone with you. Some will resist no matter what. Don't let them drag you down...save the ones you can.

Every school has its own culture. If it is one of enthusiasm and collaboration, that's great. If its one of negativity and 'not fixing what isn't broken', then you have to work to change it, create your own microcosm within, or find a more supportive environment.

I'm hoping that the momentum that has been building over the past few years on forums such as Twitter and Ning will take jumpstart this revolution!

[Eric Sheninger]

I could not agree more with your post Tom. One thing that all of us learned during our training is the concept of life-long learning and how as educators we must inspire this thought process in our students. If we do not adapt to the times it is our students who suffer. Thank you for being a driving force in delivering a message that so many more people in education need to hear and accept for the sake of all students.

[Hadley Ferguson]

Forcing myself to engage with technology has reawakened my own love of learning. As I enter into the unknown, seeking to find my way, I live what I am asking of my students each day - to take chances, to ask questions, to move out of their comfort zone. I am always amazed at how hard it can be to be a student, to leave behind the comfort of the Old Degree. When I try a new program or follow a lead from my PLN, I have to become an explorer again. It has made me a much better teacher to live the confusion and the joy of learning on a daily basis. I can then share that process with my students. I am not All-Knowing authority, but another traveler along the road. I have some wisdom from the years on the road, but they have new instincts and strategies learned from the different world that they live in. Together, we can succeed.

The only way to get others to join our adventure is to share. I am doing it through passing on links that might help them. At times, it feels like bringing the horse to water, but you can't make it drink. There is so much available, but I have to admit, in the busy life of teacher, it is work. It is a regular commitment, one that I confess, I have days when I don't want to fulfil. But I do believe that we owe it to our students and our colleagues to be constant in our own growth...otherwise the world and the needs of our students will pass us by.

I couldn't do it without my PLN. I never knew I needed one, but now that I have a steadily growing one, I can't imagine how I would stay as invigorated by my teaching as I do with their help.

[angelina pereira]

Great reflection, thanks Tom, 'old guy'! I fully agree with you. You put things very clearly and I think this issue should be 'mandatory' in all teachers' forums. Here, in Portugal we are going through a very interesting program launched by the government 2 years ago: "Technological Plan in Education' which is commited to install PC, norebooks, wide board band and wireless internet, smart boards and develop a portal for teachers and students. But... teachers, many os them, act as this is a kind of 'fashion' and soon it'll be out of date...Fortunately there are good teachers willing to do something innovating and web 2.o has been a great support enabling us all to read, share, learn...
http://www.pte.gov.pt/pte/PT/index.htm

[Cathy]

I couldn't agree with you more, Tom! When I hear hesitant teachers, I think about my friends in other fields who have to learn new technologies and go through tons of professional development in order to stay relevant. Why should education be different? I can't think of a single profession that has stayed the same for the last 20 years--except teaching. I'm very glad to be teaching now and to be part of the push for change because I think that it's essential if we want to prepare our students for post-high school life.

I didn't realize the power of a PLN until I joined forces with two librarians and a fellow English teacher at my school 5 years ago. When we discovered like-minded people online using tools like Twitter, Delicious, Diigo, and Ning, we found the support and resources we needed to jumpstart a school-wide movement this year. As a teacher, I want to give those opportunities for growth to my students through social media as well.

Above, Carl wrote that reluctant teachers are not worth his time. I disagree. I understand how difficult it is to get those teachers on board, and I certainly don't want to drag them into social media kicking and screaming, but I do think that all teachers, if shown how beneficial something is to students' learning and success, will opt for change. The difficult (and seemingly impossible) task is getting them to see the benefits. I'm remaining optimistic because I think it's a good change, and I don't want to give up on my colleagues even if they seem determined to become obsolete. If I do, I feel like I'm giving up on my students who might be in their classes next year.

[Sigi]

Hi Tom and Carl,
when I read your reflections it was as if I was reading my own ones! I am almost in the same position as you are - retiring from school after more than 30 years in secondary education and I made the same experiences here in Germany. When none of the teachers wanted to give IT lessons ages ago I volunteered and step by step built up a multimedia language room . When all other teachers still did their oral exams by questionimg students for 20 minutes individually I taught them PowerPoint and how to make a good presentation for the final oral exam. My activities have always aroused scepticism to say the least. Today I am working with Moodle (VLE), MAhARA Eportfolio and Blogs with all of my students and am again regarded as an alien. Teachers still ask students to print out their ePortfolios for them because they say they can't read on the screen! Worse, students have to copy all their entries and pictures - well, there is a problem with sound files and videos LOL - to create a hardcopy of their online stuff and I have to negotiate terms and conditions again and again- which in the end also puts my students off.... Teachers on teacher trainings tell me how bad it is that students use sites like Wikipedia and all that other stuff you can't trust on the internet for their research instead of going to the library and that this was the end of our civilization...
I am optimistic when I work with my network and the network kind of supports me- but at least 3-4 times a week I have one of these "Show me the research that says this will work" and other stupid comments to justify old school learning that I am coming home frustrated and asking myself if this will ever change.
Thank you Tom - your contributions to the network are extremely valuable and even if you (and me) could not make as many changes as you/we wanted during our school career, you-we will encourage oher teachers who are still struggling for the future of their students.
So lets continue to twitter, to blog, to skype etc.... and keep our students involved- they are the ones who appreciate it!

[Patrick Larkin]

Tom - As much as things have changed technologically for our schools, some things have not. We still have a range of professionals who we call teachers. Some are open-minded and will try anything that may help engage students, others just maintain the status quo because it was good enough yesterday.

The true educators like yourself are never satisfied that they have learned everything that they need to know. I believe that real teachers worry about becoming irrelevant and ineffective. They will engage learners with tools that the learners find meaningful.

You walk the walk everyday with the members of your PLN. I look forward to the day where each student will create their own PLN so that educators who are not willing to make changes will be forced to make career changes.

In the meantime, I too will focus my attention on the true educators who see value in infinite learning and are excited about a future that will be...?

[Teri Wilkins]

Great post! It's so important to practice what we preach. How can we expect our students to be excited about learning if we aren't? I've been immersed in educational technology for the past two decades, and what I'm seeing right now is is fabulous and much of it is free and getting easier every day! Back in the '90s, I was videoconferencing with a dial-up connection and a primitive webcam. Naysayers told me I was overshooting, but the heck with them. My philosophy is to take baby steps, to ask for help when needed, to let our joy in learning shine through.

[Carl]

Teacher adoption of technology should have happened long ago, 25-30 years ago. That is when I started using technology in my classroom, at first it was expensive as even a lowly C64 was $695. Within three years, I had someone willing to repair broken ones free and donate them to me along with old TVs that were being discarded.

So, I had eight computers with programming, a BBS system, learning games, etc. in my classroom. We even simulated a presidential campaign at the time when one was going on and learned about the electorial system.

So, where was everyone else? I am sure that I was thought a little "different", (or maybe a lot).

Here we are 10 years into the following century and teachers are still back where I was in the early 80s. Staff was very suprised that I was on Twitter when I introduced the idea of a PLN to them, I was told by one that there isn't enough time, well, just when will there be?

Once, I was determined to pull everyone along with me, I have given up on that, not enough teachers care to learn something new. I am taking the new teachers and getting them up to speed and trying to encourage the other curious ones to stick their toes in and try. The rest? Not really worth my time, they never come to me with questions, so I am not going to bother them. So I will push those teachers I can and drag my students into the future that is going to be theirs.

A Twitter PLN is worth its weight in gold.