Computers as a Catalyst for Change in the Classroom

This article just enforced my belief that in order to change you must look at yourself and see the need for change. It took self reflection for all of the teachers to make a change in their classroom. I found it interesting that most of the teachers that were using computers in their classrooms the most also are teachers of learning and not teachers of facts and figures. Schools today need to be focusing on teaching students to think and for learn instead of rote memorization. This type of knowledge is what is going to help them get and keep jobs in this technological world. Using computers in the classroom is way to teach them how to learn. Computers are one of the best tools to seek out knowledge now. We can communicate with people across the world, we can look into libraries all over the world, and share our experiences. Computers give even the worst artist a change to make a beautiful piece of art. Computers are amazing tools. If we are teaching our students to be life-long learners then we must teach them to use computers.
I also found it very interesting that one major catalyst for change in the classroom was school environment. In schools where the use of technology is expected, the teachers would change their teaching style to fit in with the school expectations/goals. It makes me worry about the schools that are lead by those who are “scared” of technology. Will the students’ interest be able to make a change in the classroom? We, as new teachers, are being taught to pay attention to our students and what they need to learn and are interested in learning. But none of the teachers said that their catalyst for change was student interest in computer use. Why is that? I hope that as a future teacher I will be able to take into account my students’ interests for change in my classroom.