Is it okay to be technically illiterate?

Are you literate with the language in the image? Do you need to know what it says?

I sort of get the same feeling today about technology. It's acceptable to say "I don't really get computers"

If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.

Quoted from Karl Fischís FischBowl Blog
http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/09/is-it-okay-to-be-technologically.html

Do we accept teachers not being able to read and write? It is not acceptable in society.

Is it acceptable to be technologically illiterate in todayís society?

A favourite story that I share from a previous principal relates to my work with a fantastic primary math teacher. This teacher was incredible teaching math. Students were engaged, exploring ideas, and learning beyond most other primary math classes. In sharing with said principal, I said, "I think it is OK for this teacher to not integrate technology into her lessons. She is already a fantastic teacher that is doing amazing work and students are learning."

His response was priceless. "Think of how much more her students could learn if she was able to incorporate technology as well."

That has continued to challenge me over the past 5 years. I look at situations with different glasses. I do ask the question as to what the value added parts of integrating technology really are. There are some activities that donít add value but these activities should be planned to scaffold the ones that will take the learning that much further.

While we donít need to be exceptional readers to teach students the basics of reading or the joy and love of reading, teachers do need to have the basics of Information and Media Literacy to meet the BC Ministry of Education Prescribed Learning Outcomes.