I think American education is slow to change due to the fear of what is to come with a particular change. In his book Change Forces: Probing the depths of educational reform (1993), Fullan states that "educators...had a crisis of confidence." Based on this statement, take into account the teacher who has been teaching for 30+ years, who has never used a computer, and is now being asked by their building administrator to use computers in their classroom. The teacher may be upset by this request for a few reasons. First, this teacher may feel that the request to use computers is a personal attack, that the building administrator may feel that this particular teacher's lessons are lacking. Most likely, though, this teacher is fearful of the computer, and using it will create an unknown atmosphere to them. However, if this teacher is fully supported in the slow transition of using computers in their classroom, they may begin to feel more comfortable with the idea of using computers, and may accept the change better.
It is in the best interest of educators to do the best they can to adapt to the particular change because, "Education has a moral purpose. The moral purpose is to make a difference in the lives of students regardless of background, and to help produce citizens who can live and work productively in increasingly dynamically complex societies," (Fullan, 1993).
Fullan, Michael. (1993). Change forces: Probing the depths of educational reform. London, New York, Philadelphia: The Falmer Press.
1 comment:
You make an excellent point about veteran teachers feeling threatened by new ideas. I have always felt that many fear change for the fact they are unsure if it will bring about positive results. I never examined the idea that the mere need for change may be taken as a comment on what is currently going on. I think your observation that a veteran teacher may feel attacked by a mandatory infusion of technology is very astute.
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