Julia Kiss’ Blog

Setting out to analyse the teaching population, its abilities and needs, in an effort to outline the neccessities to fullfill the new digital generation educators is the article, “Survey shows digital woes for teachers”, 2008.

According to a survey “Teachers want more training, better technology and more support to take full advantage of the digital revolution sweeping through the education sector”. The most interesting part of the survey i found was that almost 80% of the teachers said that the internet was an ESSENTIAL part of their work, yet at the same time only 36% considered themselves proficient and confident.

Unfortunetly for the students and teaching staff, it seems as if this is one of the greater problems being faced with the incoming digital revolution. So much digital media and resources and programs are available, but if teachers cant use them with confidence than there isnt much point. In the survey “Educators cited a range of barriers to using online technologies including poor infrastructure and bandwidth, limited access to computers, limited confidence or expertise in computer technology and the increased blocking and filtering of internet content”. So such information, indicates that teachers, or at least a large number of them, are ready to embrace technology and digital mediums within the classroom and within their profession but may not be sourced with the right resources and training in order to do so. Students need to feel that they are powering up when going to school, not powering down as quoted. Students need to feel that their schooling and learning is fun…there is nothing wrong with learning in a fun environment.