Are we doing what is best for our students or what is convenient for us?

     Are we doing what is best for our students or what is convenient for us? This is a question that most educators should ponder. As an educator, I am continually asking myself what else I can do to better educate my students and help those who are struggling. I try to do what is best for my students instead of what is merely convenient for me. It is often easier to use the old methods of teaching straight out of the textbook and issuing the standard assessment that accompanies it. Unfortunately, this mode of teaching is outdated and completely misses the mark for most students. In our world today, known as the “age of convergence” (Shelly, Gunter, & Gunter, 2010), computers are everywhere and in many different shapes and sizes. Children today spend most of their time “glued” to one of these devices. Most of my students choose to stay inside and play video or computer games instead of going outdoors and getting physical exercise. So, it only makes sense that we should educate today's children using what they know and are familiar with – technology.


     Students in the classroom today are growing up in the digital age. Most students own a standard video gaming system, a personal computer, as well as a cell phone and portable gaming console. When they walk into their classrooms at school, at the very least, there is a computer. In my own classroom there are computers, a document camera, digital projector and television. I have the option of using a portable Smart board if I want to. My students definitely sit up straighter and pay more attention if there is any technology being used during whole group instruction. But the biggest problem that most schools face is that they were built before the digital and are therefore not readily or easily equipped for all of the new technology that is constantly being brought to the forefront.

     The relevancy of Fisch & McLeod's video “Did You Know?” served as a reminder to me that things are constantly in motion and changing, technology especially. The video goes by so quickly that it can be hard to keep up. What I am just learning how to use in my classroom is going to be obsolete in a very short time and I will have to learn something new in order to engage my students. This is very daunting and intimidating at times. But in order to better serve my students and do what is best for them, I will learn as much as I can, take the time to plan as much as I need to, and continue to try and effectively incorporate technology in my classroom.

     Are we doing what is best or what is convenient? I feel that many teachers are doing what they feel is best for their students under the current circumstances that they are dealing with everyday in their schools. Between the demands of standardized testing, constant progress monitoring, and the physical limitations of the building that houses their school, many teachers do what they can to technologically evolve their classrooms and instruction. If the technology is available, most teachers try to take advantage of it. In the long run, the technology that is best for our students is also the most convenient for educators.



Shelly, G. & Gunter, G & Gunter, R. (2010). Teacher Discovering Computers Integrating technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. (6th Ed.) Cengage Learning