y did not feel confident about the technology that is currently implemented in the classroom.
With the right training and resources, these numbers would likely be very different.
The above chart is based on a report from Cambridge International, that did a survey of nearly 20,000 teachers and students (age 12-19) in 100 countries.
I found it encouraging that the report said that the US leads the way in desktop computer use in the classroom at 75%. But the most encouraging thing to me was that worldwide, technology in the classroom continues to grow.
What struck me about this survey is that 90% of classrooms are using paper and pencil. When it comes down to it, paper and pencil can’t really fail. You can sharpen a pencil. You can get a new copy of a certain paper or a new piece of paper. But when computers are down, you’re out of luck.
1. Because it is the Way the World Functions
There is just about no part of the world that has not been affected by technology. With the exception of maybe isolated jungles, even the most primitive communities around the world have experienced technology, either directly or indirectly. And that will not go away. Technology is only increasing as we continue to find innovative new ways to use it.
Because of this fact, our students need to be able to hit the ground running when it is time for them to use technology. And what better place to learn it than in school and in ways that apply technology to what they are already doing in their lives?
The reason that technology in the classroom is necessary is not because classrooms can’t survive without it. It is because students will have a very hard time in society functioning without it. And for that reason, they need to be taught technology’s place in all of society, whether in the classroom, at home, or anywhere they may go in public settings.
Having students prepared and comfortable with technology in any setting is one more way we can prepare them for life outside of the classroom.
And one final advantage is that teaching them responsible ways to use technology gives them the tools to function well with it for life.
2. You’re Speaking Your Students’ Language
Sometimes for bad, and sometimes for good, our children are nearly always using some form of technology outside of the classroom. Even when we try to limit it to a healthy amount, there is still significant technology influence because that is the world we live in.
While this does have its advantages and disadvantages, there is one really good aspect to this. Kids know how to use technology very intuitively.
In fact, I think most of us have, at one time or another, gone to our teenage children to ask them for tech support on some issue we were having on our own computers. And they were more than likely pretty quickly able to solve it for us!
This is actually a good thing because it means they are adjusting well to the world outside of their circle of influence. Once they get past the training of their youth and school, they will be fully functioning in this area. That will be a great advantage to them in their adult life.
So next time you want to throw their computer/tablet/gaming console out the window because they won’t get their homework or chores done, first remind yourself that this will be helping them to be productive members of society!
And this leads perfectly into my next point.
3. You’re Helping Your Students Prepare for Life Outside of the Classroom
Because technology is so prevalent just about everywhere in the world, allowing your students to become comfortable with technology and learn how to use it responsibly is key. Actually this is key both in the classroom and in the home. And the more they learn to form good habits around their electronics, they better they will handle them as they get older.
This is not to say that safeguards and standards don’t need to be in place. Certainly like everything else, moderation is important. And unfortunately, even as adults we realize how addictive electronics can be, even to us. This is generally even more so for younger kids.
But the 