Teachers and technology

Right now, I'm listening to a podcast from the NECC 2005 conference. There is a lot of the usual stuff being said about why there are problems using technology in schools: administrations that are not interested in doing what is necessary to make it happen, and also a lack of teacher training.

One of the biggest concerns I had while doing my M.A. was the realization that most B.Ed. programs do virtually nothing to incorporate instructional technology in the curriculum. The teachers I have talked to (the ones who have teaching certificates) know next to nothing about using technology, except for using e-mail for personal use.

It made me think that B.Ed. programs need to be re-developed with some technology in mind. Better yet, I believe teaching should be made a profession that requires a master's degree. I suppose that the existing B.Ed. should lead to a provisional teaching certificate that is good for 5 years. To have the certificate validated beyond 5 years, teachers should have to get a master's in education.

Such a theory is supported by research that has found that teachers who had completed just the one-year B.Ed program often quit teaching within 5 years. They usually said that they felt they weren't prepared enough for the classroom. This is why a lot of B.Ed. programs now are minimum 2 years. However, I think that all education programs should be graduate degree programs, and technology should be a central part of the programs.

If I ever get into a position of authority in the field of education, this is one of the ideas I will promote.