Advisors suggestions, 24

Advisors wrote this letter to inform and better prepare teachers in training about expectations for beginning teachers.  They focus specifically on technology and what teachers should know before entering their first classroom. For example, the letter addresses three specific components to technology training: 1. The actual tool/ service 2. Examples of how it can be used with different content 3. And pairing it with standards. They wish education programs to reach out and teach practical application methods and strategies, especially those operating in the SAMR model. The second thing discussed is learning to operate and teach an LMS class. This involves pulling media and other online resources together  with a particular standard or objective in mind. Education programs should also be modeling how these tools can and should be used in a typical classroom. Interactive whiteboards and smart boards are important types of tools for learning.  Lastly, teachers should be learning how to operate and teach students with all different devices and internet connection. With the rise of BYOD, teachers need to recognize that students are going to have all different kinds of connections and devices and they must know how to challenge students. 

I think that all of these suggestions are great. I agree that being taught how to model tools in classroom is much more important than lecture based material. As futures educators, we should be practicing and demonstrating how technology can be utilized in the classroom. As far as utilizing an LMS in elementary education, I am not sure that I can agree. Yes, it would prepare students for college, but that should not be our main goal in teaching students. It is our job to teach students about life and help them develop virtues and goals that eventually lead them to their dreams and aspirations in life.  Simply teaching to prepare students for more education does not teach them much. They need truth.