Modern education strives to move forward with the constantly developing technologies so that teachers and students benefit from the process. Although most educators realize that education technology is the key to success these days, not everyone welcomes the progress in teaching and learning with the same anticipation and commitment.
Review the pencil metaphor that depicts how differently teachers respond to technology in education and what it results in. Realize your role in educational progress and take appropriate measures to bring your activity closer to success.
The Pencil Metaphor
Different researches and surveys prove that students do better with educational technologies in use. This makes it vital for teachers to exploit them properly in the teaching process. So that in the outcomes students reach the technologies not only to order essay but to develop their skills and knowledge and reach success easier and faster. Yet, teachers approach educational technologies not in the same way so the results are to be different as well.
The pencil metaphor illustrates the various intensity of edtech integration, distributing educators into groups depending on how well they treat the development of education technology. Typically the following 6 groups are singled out:
1. The Hangers-on
You will meet hangers-on on every other seminar and workshop devoted to edtech, but it will bring no positive outcomes. The point is that similar educators acquire all necessary skills and knowledge concerning modern technologies in teaching but do not implement them in any way.
The teachers are just following the orders and recommendations from the administration but they don’t wish to introduce the novelties and feel more comfortable with the old educational means and technologies. They are not traditionalists but just don’t like much hassle and changes. They feel comfortable sticking to their teaching habits and are not ready to leave their comfort zone.
2. The Erasers
These teachers are critical opposers of educational technologies. Not only do they dislike the edtech ideas and means that are being developed, but they also do everything to prevent them to be introduced into teaching. The erasers try to undo all the progress that was mainly provided by the leaders and other teacher categories. They have no specific reason, but just they think there should be no place for technologies in teaching and view it as the only truth.
3. The Ferules
The ferrules are strict conservators. They won’t even get a glimpse at edtechs and innovations. They will hold on to the old methods and strategies tightly and leave no place for modern educational technologies in their classroom. Similar teachers will never opt for innovations if they have the possibility to hold on to the old-school methods. Plus, they will never move to give a place and a chance for the younger teaching generation to prosper. The ferules will halt the edtech process to the last breath and believe they do the right thing both for teachers and students.
4. The Wood
The wood teachers are executors but not enthusiasts. Yet, they have nothing against educational technologies. If they are given the necessary equipment, training, guidelines, and environment, they will apply modern technologies to the education process without hesitation. Still, it is necessary to remember that efficient mentorship is the key driver to success in such a case.
5. The Sharp Ones
The sharp ones are the wisest ones when it comes to implementing the newest technologies in teaching. They will be not the first ones to apply the novelties. The teachers from the category will observe the pioneers, single out the best ideas, learn from the mistakes of the others and collect the best possible experience to use when teaching. This way they will reach the top beneficial results with few drawbacks and complications. But the edtech will prosper and get perfected in their hands.
6. The Leaders
Obviously, these teachers are leading others through the world of educational technology. They are the pioneers in the field. The teachers are trying out and documenting their success. They are open to experiments, mistakes, and sacrifices. They know that in the end, their input in the development of edtech teaching will mean much for them and other teachers. So they are ready for failures and success by interchanging each other.
Conclusion
Teachers treat educational technologies in different ways. Although mostly all of them understand the need for edtech to be implemented to get the educational system updated, efficient, and successful, not everyone is ready to participate. Explore the pencil metaphor to find out what roles teachers play in the development and implementation of educational technologies. Find out who you are and make changes for the better.
