*Will distance education take the place of classroom teachers?*
Distance education is growing rapidly in both grade schools and colleges. However, I do not believe it will take the place of the classroom teacher. There will still be courses that need to be taught by regular in-classroom teachers. You also have to think that distance education classes still have a teacher! Most distance education classes use live streaming video coverage that students can watch at a certain time, such as in grade school, or that they can watch on their own time, such as in colleges. So, there still has to be a teacher in order to make this video and have someone to teach the class.
I think distance education is a great asset to education in general. It gives students in grade schools a chance to take courses that may not be offered at their home school. This allows them to expand their knowledge and learn about the technology used for the class. Distance education is also wonderful for students wanting to complete their college degrees because they can still work around their normal lives and complete their work on their own time. Regardless of in class or distance education, there is still the need for a teacher!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Certified Teachers?
*Should elementary schools have certified business education teachers teaching technology classes and career exploration?*
Most teachers have at least one technology class in college and might attend technology workshops once they obtain a job. However, they do not learn all of the aspects of technology in order to teach career cluster exploration and technology classes. I believe it is very important to have certified teachers in the classroom to teach both of these subject areas. I am by no means saying that teachers in these type of situations now are not successful. I believe you can be very knowledgeable about these areas, but I think it is only appropriate and official that you be certified.
There would have to be some changes made in the business education curriculum. Our major only certifies us with grades 6-12. So, we would have to expand the curriculum to accommodate the previous grades or have an add on certificate to give an option of teaching those grades.
Most teachers have at least one technology class in college and might attend technology workshops once they obtain a job. However, they do not learn all of the aspects of technology in order to teach career cluster exploration and technology classes. I believe it is very important to have certified teachers in the classroom to teach both of these subject areas. I am by no means saying that teachers in these type of situations now are not successful. I believe you can be very knowledgeable about these areas, but I think it is only appropriate and official that you be certified.
There would have to be some changes made in the business education curriculum. Our major only certifies us with grades 6-12. So, we would have to expand the curriculum to accommodate the previous grades or have an add on certificate to give an option of teaching those grades.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Keyboarding Skills
*When should students be taught keyboarding skills-elementary or secondary?*
I believe that with the rapid change of technology, students should be taught keyboarding skills at a younger age. At my high school, we were taught keyboarding skills in the 9th grade. That was great 6 years ago, but now students are beginning to use computers/keyboards in the classrooms and labs in earlier grades. I recently completed service learning at an 8th and 9th grade school where they were undergoing a laptop initiative program. The students I worked with barely knew how to type. A few knew close to the proper way to type, but most were "chicken-pecking!" I think this just goes to show that if students are going to be using computers/keyboards at younger ages, then they should be taught keyboard skills at an elementary level. I don't mean kindergarten, but maybe around 5th grade. It is a very important skill to possess, so I believe it should also be a requirement.
I believe that with the rapid change of technology, students should be taught keyboarding skills at a younger age. At my high school, we were taught keyboarding skills in the 9th grade. That was great 6 years ago, but now students are beginning to use computers/keyboards in the classrooms and labs in earlier grades. I recently completed service learning at an 8th and 9th grade school where they were undergoing a laptop initiative program. The students I worked with barely knew how to type. A few knew close to the proper way to type, but most were "chicken-pecking!" I think this just goes to show that if students are going to be using computers/keyboards at younger ages, then they should be taught keyboard skills at an elementary level. I don't mean kindergarten, but maybe around 5th grade. It is a very important skill to possess, so I believe it should also be a requirement.
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