Teachers are educating the future but still not leading into the future
I am asking myself though if this wish to work more with IT and technology can be applied to a certain kind of teachers. Earlier today I listened to a couple of presentations organized by Dreamhack and the audience were all men, mostly young men like myself. The teachers attending the conference were mostly men as well, which is quite interesting since teaching by tradition is a women's profession. Does this mean we could narrow it all down and state that teachers who want to use technology and IT in the classroom are mostly men? Well, the majority are men but there are also quite few female teachers who are or want to us IT more than they do at the moment, which is great. Also, it seems to be a question of generations. Younger teacher are much more familiarized with technology and obviously more eager to use it compared to older generations.
However, I sense there is a problem in the Swedish schools today and it's not about generations or gender - it's about seeing the value and possibilities and for doing that, it doesn't matter what teacher you are. It would help, though, if you are not afraid of trying new things and willing to spend some time to learn. Apart from that it only takes a bit of effort and a positive attitude, but unfortunately this is where it all fails. Most teachers I have met aren't willing to sacrifice this extra time and energy they think (sic!) they need in order to start teaching with the help of technology and this is by all means sad. To me it's unbelievable that a school that educates people for the future simply lacks the motivation to also be the future and lead the way into the future. In a way teachers today are using the same old methods and pedagogy that was used hundreds of years ago and from what I have come to understand, it is not working as well as it should. Our unwillingness to find and use alternative ways of teaching affects our students negatively - we can't teach students born in the 20th and 21st century while the school and educational system haven't developed their activities since the 19th century!
Ultimately teachers are educating those who will inherit and govern the world in only a few years time. Today technology is such a great part of our daily lives that it can't be ignored forever. Students need to turn elsewhere in order to learn more about these things since school ever so often fail to provide them with the right knowledge. This is not the way to do it and it should be the other way round. Our job is to educate and prepare for a life in the future and we should do whatever we can do also join our students into the future, and also lead the way. In order to succeed doing this we all need to read up, exploring, using, discovering and educate ourselves. It's each and every school's obligation to see that it happens.
It's time to move on. The time of chalkboards are over. Way over.
((tag: Teaching, Education, Technology))
Chinese should be taught in schools: education minister - The Local
Chinese should be taught in schools: education minister
Published: 17 Oct 09 09:44 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22714/20091017/Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
A review of language learning in schools is required to meet the demands of the global market climate says Sweden’s education minister Jan Björklund who is advocating Chinese lessons for college students.
Liberal Party leader Björklund adds that children in Sweden should start learning English at a earlier age, in the first grade rather than the third or fourth grade as it is today. Speaking to Sveriges Radio news, he proposes a language learning reform to be introduced in the next election period and points towards bringing Chinese into the classroom. “Economic relations with this huge country are going to become more and more important,” he said. “I think it would be advantageous if we have a number of young people who learned Chinese.” A lack of Chinese teachers means it could take up to 15 years before the language is as widespread as French, German and Spanish in the education system. The proposal has yet to be approved by parties in the coalition government but Björklund does not foresee any opposition on the matter.
- Sweden set for stricter teacher credentials (24 Sep 09)
- Government reported for English email use (29 Jul 09)
- Swedish becomes official 'main language' (1 Jul 09)
TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)
via thelocal.se
I am no fan of our education minister, Jan Björklund. In fact I would if I had the chance, put my right foot in his hairy little ass... But, the idea of making Chinese available to all college students is actually an interesting idea. I like it.
Teaching newcommers
Today I have been visiting our class where newly arrived children go to. These kids have been in Sweden between less than two weeks to six months. Many of them have never been to a school and some are analphabetics. The work the teachers do here is heroic in every way and I am so impressed. I was extremely moved by two paintings a girl made. The first one she painted during her first days in Sweden and the second one just recently. The first one shows a little, sad girl without meaning, hope or future while the second one...well, you can see for yourself below.
This day made me realize a lot about my job and the meaning of my work. And perhaps at some point, the meaning of my existence. To help others. Perhaps that's why I am here - not for myself, but for others. This ought to be a meaning better than any other meanings.
About Me
Jazzper IsakssonGreetings!
Welcome to Jazzperous, the personal blog of Mr Jesper Isaksson. I am mostly writing about technology, web 2.0 and social media but also a great deal of things that grind my gear at the moment. Lately is has been a lot about religion, atheism and humanism.
Check out my social links: http://flavors.me/jazzper
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Jesper Isaksson
