Tonight we had a delightful
presentation by Dr. Mike Vollmert. He is the head of technology integration
department for the Rio School District. He presented via teleconferencing through google from his home. I thought it was amazing that the presentations content and educational goals were met with minimal errors in the technology. I really enjoyed and I agreed with many
of his pedagogical analogies and philosophies. I do believe the world we teach
in is a jungle and being a teacher is a calling. When I discovered teaching it
was the perfect time for me. I instantly fell in love with the job. It is the
impossible tasks and administrative decisions that really bother me. Mike
called it “ADMINISTRIVIA” and I couldn’t agree more.
As
educators we need to determine what is relevant and important enough for our
students. We also need to challenge ourselves if we expect our students to
accept adversity and change. I also believe that society is changing at such a
rapid pace that we must prepare our students for that day. The jobs they may
end up with haven’t even been invented yet. Virtual work is increasing as work
in the classroom is decreasing. Today textbooks just don’t make sense, the
process should be obsolete, but we continue to justify high costs and out of
date material. Students need to learn how to become stellar and adaptable learners
for the 21st Century. The skills they master now are essential for their success in the
future.
Stagnation
is futile!
I agree, Joseph. I think it is important to ground your perspective in theory so that you have a direction and aren't just springing around from one thing to the next - which is what Mike helped direct - he is clearly a big picture thinker, who recognizes the pieces that need to be put in place to adapt education to the 21st century. And - yes - teaching is definitely a calling. One it took me a while to listen to - but I would never go back to my corporate job after having experienced the rewards of teaching . . .
ReplyDelete