Are Teachers Ready for 21st Century Learning?
Ed. Research, Ed. Tech. March 7th, 2008
That’s the question/title of an interesting “discussion” among the Teacher Leaders Network, a partner of Teacher Magazine. You can read the discussion and comments here. The part of the discussion excerpted online began with a question based on Karl Fisch’s award-winning blog post in 2007.
The social scientist in me is left wondering about the representativeness of this group of teacher leaders. In research-y terms, I suppose I’m asking if there is selection bias here. Regardless, I find the range of responses pretty fascinating. What about you? Do you think the responses of these teachers is representative of the teachers you know?
Tags: 21st Century, education, Karl Fisch, teachers
I think the nature of TLN somewhat lends itself to teachers who are open-minded to technology and improving education/teaching/learning in general. It is an online community which takes time, motivation, interest, and some skills to navigate and manage. This may mean that the active members include a high percentage who are comfortable, savvy, and actually leading the way in exploring technology tools. I think some of the discussions on the TLN listserv and relationships that have developed probably have encouraged the growth and learning in this area.
In this little snippet of a discussion, you do see teachers looking for balance, questioning and reflecting on technology integration, and admitting their own insecurities and concerns about being overwhelmed with change…which is fairly consistent with what I have observed in a large number of teachers with whom I work. In the teachers I know, there is a very small percentage that are completely resistant to change and really, their professional growth in any area.