Technology Fear Factor in Education

So very cool.....

I volunteer in a R-7 school that has embraced technology, they have interactive whiteboards that are like HUGE touch screens where teachers can work with the whole class and show how to use a computer. Kids are learning to use Microsoft Movie maker from the age of 10 and using all sorts of applications. Its a shame there are few schools like this. My idea is ALL teachers should go do beginner and intermediate PC skills courses as many teachers barely know how to open Word or even get to google

grr. I can't follow this..

me either,

Want smart education?

Then empower kids to learn how to be entrepreneurs early on in life. Schools should teach the subject, after all these kids are either going to work for a company (profit or non profit) or create their own path by owning businesses. Let's really teach them real life lessons. Why do we still have to follow the industrial age style of education while we are in digital, service- oriented age?

9th grade (and high school and the required computer class in college) will be the same in most schools, how to use Microsoft office. Schools need to realise there is only so much people can learn about these programs. We need digital advancement in the classroom to actually help anyone going into the job market in the next 10 years.

YEs, you are so right and that is so far short of what it needs to be!

I completely agree! How many Comp Science teachers are currently integrating Web 2.0 into their classrooms? Not many! I can tell you the day that I did, the kids were all over it. To get them learning about technology, reach to something they are passionate about - blogging, podcasting, ipods, wikis, google docs, etc!

Really? In 9th grade - just MS Office? I teach in Middle School, and kids in my school are learning CADS, webdesign, Publishing, and digital photography to name a few.

My kids are learning a lot of amazing things too -- so far past Microsoft Office but so many schools define MS Office as the only thing they teach in "technology class" - the term makes me cringe!