Technology Article #2

The second article I chose to read and report on was titled "How Teachers View Technology." CDW-G conducted a survey of 600 K-12 educators representing elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Of the teachers surveyed, a high percentage of teachers feel that computers improve student performance and their attention in class. Teachers also feel that computers help increase communications with parents. I agree with all of the above statements, especially the communication between teachers and parents. Computerized gradebooks often allow parents to check their student's grades as often as they wish. Also being able to check for missing assignments when a student is absent is a major bonus for parents. I communciate with many of my parents via email. For parents that are hard to get a hold of, it is great to be able to send an email and have them reply to you at their convenience.

The article noted that training was the key to increased technology use. I whole-heartedly agree with that statement. You can spend millions of dollars to purchase new technology for schools but unless you teach people how to use it , you are wasting your money.

The biggest obstacle for most teachers was a shortage of classroom computers, which came as no surprise. I think we get a little bit better at this every year, but it would still be wonderful to have more computers for our elementary students to use. I know how my 8-year old son feels about technology and I guarantee that he would jump at the chance to be able to use a computer more often at school.