How information and media literate must teachers be?

"...teachers must learn what these technologies are and can do, and understand them, but without necessarily becoming proficient in their use." Marc Presnky 2007

Marc Prensky (2007) raises the important point in the sidebar. As teachers, we do not need to be proficient in all the emerging technologies. We are responsible to know about the technologies and how they can be used in teaching and learning.

His second point is, "But what all teachers should learn to do comfortably, though, are those things we can do without "looking stupid". This (we certainly hope!) is to evaluate their students' uses of the new technologies, and teach our students the important lessons about those technologies. Teachers can and should be able to understand and teach where and how new technologies can add value in learning."

Instead of trying to be experts in everything, we should focus on teaching and learning. The key is that we are looking at how the new technologies can add value to what we do already. I recently read that the power of technology is doubling each year. This means that there will continue to be an explosion of new technologies.

I do not expect teachers to know every new technology; however, I do expect teachers to become experts at finding the best tools for learning. This can be done in concert with students. We can make learning relevant by including students in the process. Students don't have to just receive what we tell them. We can empower students to be leaders in our classroom and school. Should we respond in fear and block or ban new technologies, or empower students with a statement such as, "If you can show me the educational value of this new technology then you or we can use it."

This creates an environment of relevance.

If we block and ban, we create an environment of irrelevance.

Teachers that fear and don't understand a technology demonstrate not understanding the importance of new technology to this generation. That sends a clear message that learning in that classroom is irrelevant. In the end, teachers do not need to be proficient at all things technology. They do need to have an understanding and acceptance that technology has the power to add value to learning experiences. That understanding should stretch into classroom teaching allowing students to learn with the powerful tools available to them. http://partners.becta.org.uk/page_documents/research/emerging_technologies07_chapter4.pdf