Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers...Technology

I was so glad to have a journal article that I could read and understand the first time! (Even if the quality of the article I printed out - words running into each other- was poor.)  I believe it is vitally important that English language arts teachers be prepared to teach and use technology during their time in teacher ed programs.  Technology isn't just a nice "extra" anymore that you use in your lesson when you want to impress someone during an observation.  Technology is now required by many schools, and teachers will find that students expect to see and use technology as part of their school experience.  Technology is the new "normal."  Teachers must also be prepared to let their students be their partners and even sometimes their guides as technology changes.  Our students catch on to new technological advances much quicker than we do.  It is important that we be confident enough in ourselves to step back and either let the students lead a lesson in using new technology or allow them to teach us. Technology isn't going anywhere.  It is here to stay and we must adapt our attitudes and teaching styles if we are to provide our students with an English language arts education that includes being  literate in all forms of text.