Chpt 1 Rethinking Education

 It’s often a challenge for teachers to integrate new methods of learning into their classrooms.  For example, techniques for teaching math moved from repeating and regurgitating formulas to puzzling and interacting with math ideas.  They had to read the new curriculum books and test out this new method of instruction.  However, incorporating new technology becomes even more of a challenge for teachers because they are not familiar with the new technological advances.  Not only do they have to be creative in applying new technology in their classroom activities, they must have to learn how to expertly operate advanced machines.  Also, few, if any, regular classroom curriculums require students to interact with technology on the level they are used to outside of school (individually for social reasons.)  Therefore, teachers must master new ideas about the capabilities of technology like cell phone, interactive websites, laptops, social networking sites, etc. to the extent that the teacher can create a whole new lesson plan from scratch in order to fit it in.  For students to be engaged in classroom learning, they need to find it applicable and useful in their lives outside of the classroom.  Students value technology for all it allows them to access and do as individuals.  We also need to format their education to give them more decisions and freedom to study topics of interest.  As a future teacher I will give my students more options and freedom to tailor their lesson plans than I was given in elementary school.  I will still provide a well-rounded education, teaching all subjects.  But I want to allow some freedom for children to start exploring education at a young age.  If I can help spark their interest in seeking knowledge, they will become life-long learners, instead of just repeating the information they are given in class.  The best way to do this is to give them some freedom and a variety of resources to seek out and discover their individual passions.