Technology is not only changing the way we communicate, it is changing the way we live, the way we learn, the way we think; it is changing the whole self. Learning how education was developed with the mindset of just in case makes so much sense to me. Students have been force fed facts, dates, and formulas to be memorized just in case one day they need that information. Of course there is knowledge we use everyday like reading, writing, math, etc. What about all those other facts that were memorized that have no application in the real world, or do they? Our world is changing and in order to educate the whole child, we must engage them with real world applications. What does the future generations real world look like? It looks like technology everywhere, infact we are already surrounded by technology. We are in an instant gratification time. We get the information we need just in time for when we need it. It makes sense, but how do I integrate it into the classroom? How do I teach my students the importance of learning in a time of, "just ask Siri"?
I need to focus on teaching in a way that the information becomes important now. Students are going to learn the information they need just in time to apply it. Teaching with the attitude of, learn now use later, doesn't work anymore. It's important for teachers to become the facilitators. Facilitators of opportunity, providing opportunities of discovery. Bringing technology into the classrooms is a way that students can learn, discover, teach themselves and teach each other. It breaks down the walls of the classroom and students can gain access to many sources, not just the one all knowing teacher. Technology allows students to receive that instant gratification as they apply what they are learning right now to the real world. It will also be important for teachers to teach students how to gain knowledge from technology and not just the answers. The real world is now and they will be just in time to learn about it.
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