Teachers and administrators in schools across America are doing the best they can with limited resources. But we're not giving them enough support to do their jobs effectively, and our students are paying the price. Here's what needs to change:
Technology should be available to all students, and it should be used in the classroom. It is important that technology not just be used for entertainment but also for learning purposes, such as interactive lessons, simulations and virtual environments.
Improving education outcomes is another way technology can improve student achievement in schools. The use of interactive whiteboards has been shown to increase student engagement levels during lessons by an average of 30%, while improving learning outcomes by an average of 3%. This type of technology requires teachers who understand how best to use it effectively—something which may require additional training or support.
"Technology that works" is not the same thing as "technology that's free" or "technology that's easy to use." It's also not the same thing as "cheap." And it's certainly not the same thing as new.
Many teachers and school leaders are accustomed to using technology that either isn't very effective or doesn't support their teaching methods well, so they think all technology is bad by default. Others don't want to spend money on something they may only use once in a while so they stick with what they know will work—and never try anything else. These two groups need to quit thinking like this if there's going to be any progress toward better schools!
IQ educational solutions enable more interactive learning experiences, more meaningful feedback and improved outcomes for students. We help teachers and students leverage devices and platforms to enhance learning, so that students can have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and career.
The mission of education is teaching students how to learn, not what they should learn. The focus should be on the students, not the teachers. The focus should be on their ability to think critically and solve problems, not their test scores.
The purpose of school is not to create loyal employees for big business; it's to help people develop into good citizens who can contribute positively in society by becoming self-sufficient and contributing meaningfully with other people through teamwork or community service projects or whatever else sounds fun!
When we shift our focus from what technology can do for us toward why we need it in the first place (in order for people from diverse backgrounds with varying skillsets who may have come from different places because they were born somewhere else but live somewhere else now), then we'll start seeing real change happen within our educational institutions as well as outside them too (like online communities).
In order to help teachers teach, we need to give them the right tools and resources. This means:
Access to the right technology. Teachers should be able to use whatever technology is necessary for their subject, whether that's an overhead projector or a laptop. They should also have access to online professional development courses in order to stay up-to-date on best practices, as well as educational software that lets them customize lessons for their students' needs.
More time with students and parents who are invested in seeing them succeed (and who can offer suggestions and feedback along the way).
Free and affordable are not the same.
Sustainability and accessibility are not the same.
Relevance, usefulness and effectiveness are not the same.
The thing is, improving education isn't as simple as just saying you want to do it. There are many ways to improve education, and until we make clear decisions about how to do these things, we won't be able to give our kids the education they deserve.
To improve the quality of education in America, I think we need a plan for what our schools should look like and why those changes are important. In addition, I think we need a plan for how we will pay for those changes. And finally, I think that no matter what your stance on school funding is or where you live in the United States, there's one thing that everyone can agree on: Our kids deserve better than what they're getting right now!
We are at a crossroads in American education, and it's time for us to decide which way we're going. Will we continue down this path of endless testing and high-stakes accountability, even as it becomes clear that these strategies have failed miserably? Or will we make bold changes so that our kids can get the education they deserve?
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