iPads highlight need for tech-savvy teachers

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iPads highlight need for tech-savvy teachers

3News NZ

The older teaching staff and 'technological immigrants' may be struggling to keep up with the 'technological natives' as students are more likely to have grown up with computers

The older teaching staff and 'technological immigrants' may be struggling to keep up with the 'technological natives' as students are more likely to have grown up with computers

By Kim Choe

School is back for most students this week and many will return to class rooms kitted out with the latest gadgets like iPads.

There are concerns teachers might not be able to keep up with their increasingly tech-savvy students, with the Government rolling out ultra-fast broadband to schools across the country.

Knowing how to work the latest technology is becoming increasingly important as many schools are putting iPads on stationery lists.

Education consultant Dr John Langley says those able to use technology has come along in leaps and bounds over the past two decades.

“When I look at the ability that children and adults have to access information today, it's just vastly superior to anything that occurred 10, 20 years ago,” he says.

But Dr Langley is concerned that some teachers may not have moved as fast as the technology has.

“For the older teachers it's much more of a struggle,” he says. “I think in that case, what we do require for them is quite significant ongoing professional development.”

The Government says the biggest issue for schools is getting connected in the first place. It is aiming to give most of them access to ultra-fast broadband within three years and is confident teachers will be ready.

Prime Minister John Key says it is up to the principal of the school to ensure teachers feel comfortable with what they are using.

“Those who are technologically friendly are assisting their other teachers, and there are always training courses that we can and do send teachers on.”

The Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) says professional development in information technology is woefully inadequate. It wants the Government to provide more so that teachers are not being left to struggle on their own.

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Comments

10/02/2012 5:52:01 a.m.

EduApps wrote:

Doctors learn new technology. Developers learn new technology. Sales reps. learn new technology. Every career needs to constantly learn. This isn't an age thing. It's your job to learn. Education would be in a different place if there wasn't so much resistance. How ironic it is to hear teachers say that they don't have time to learn or it's too hard. It's their jobs to convince students to learn. Maybe there should be more pressure from the school admins instead of the unions coming in to say that they are protected.

31/01/2012 8:38:32 p.m.

Joke wrote:

Teacher "Over heard" the kids can type because they can see the keyboard. WTF. Critical thinking goes out the window when people have to rely on pretty pictures to think. The same Idiots Savants employed by Micro$oft to Abort its Office application suite. Anyway the IPAD is an overpriced toy made by SLAVE labour.

31/01/2012 6:26:53 p.m.

Andrew wrote:

Aiden .... Are you working for the Ministry?

31/01/2012 3:21:15 p.m.

kiwichina wrote:

Perhaps we should be teaching our teacher TE-COMPUTER.....instead of TE-REO.

Instead of being "Politically correct" -- how about making our teachers capable first.

31/01/2012 3:06:48 p.m.

Oliver wrote:

"...many schools are putting iPads on stationery lists. If that is correct then we should be a bit concerned. Why on earth do children need iPads in order to learn at school? There's nothing wrong with the computers many schools already have. All that is doing is falling into Apple's marketing scheme and buying things which simply aren't needed. I mean if you think you need an iPad, you may as well spent 50% less and buy a netbook or a laptop; it's essentially the same thing but with a keyboard. Only the rich can afford to buy the new iPad for their kids every year...

31/01/2012 2:34:32 p.m.

Clarke wrote:

@Aiden... National are planning on putting ill trained teachers into low decile schools... what funding do you think there is exactly?. Remember when National relaxed building codes and we had the whole leaky homes saga?. There 6 week trained teacher initiative reminds me of that, and why are these graduates (if you can call them that) only going into low decile schools... because their qualifications would not get them a job in a decent school. You seem to know very little about the whole system Aiden, school funding has been increased to follow the increase in GST and other costs.... not increased to give schools extra money... only to cover existing costs and the rises in those costs. You wouldnt happen to be a young Nat would you Aiden... full of misinformation... about to accuse anyone who votes to the left of being unemployed?. National are destroying the education system... increases that schools are given are increases given to cover rises in existing costs only. The New Zealand edication system started to self destruct in the 1990's with both National and labour systematically closing schools all over New Zealand. Tell me something though Aiden... have the number of schools increased with National in government or decreased.... the latter is the answer you seek.

31/01/2012 2:20:42 p.m.

Aiden wrote:

then perhaps andrew the principals should start using the money they are given for what it is needed for instead of things that are not. Schools are funded per pupil and the amount they get per pupil has increased, now if schools stopped wasting the money then they would have enough.

31/01/2012 1:28:37 p.m.

Andrew wrote:

What rot John Key ... Schools are spending their Professional Development budgets on National Standards Implementation and monitoring. There is nothing for IT. In my school region, the Ministry has cut curriculum advisors for all subjects, except for Literacy and Numeracy.