Trends that are influencing NZ Education

Trends that are influencing NZ Education 

I will use Rolfe (2001) Framework for reflective practice to reflect on a trend that is influencing and changing Education in New Zealand.

What:  What is happening?  Technology trends affecting schools/kura have emerged over recent years.  According to Core-ed.org, Every part of our lives, technology is reshaping expectations and enabling new possibilities. The emerging technologies are very different to what we have experienced in the past, requiring us to find new ways to adapt to digital change in more sustainable ways.  The use of new technologies has grown in my years as a teacher. In fact according to Daggett (2014) the frequency of learners using social media in the last 10 years has doubled.  

Eight-in-ten principals report that digital technologies are having a positive impact on student achievement, according to the 2016/17 ‘Digital Technologies in Schools’ survey, prepared by Research New Zealand for the 20/20 Trust.

Even though the frequency of learners using social media has doubled we are still weary of allowing the use of these devices in school.  

I feel to allow devices to be used, we need trust.   Would a contract work to ensure that devices are used correctly during school hours?

So What: In 1916 John Dewey, the great liberal education reformer, wrote: “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow”.

We need to embrace the age of technology to allow our students to merge with digital knowledge into the 21^st century.  It is apparent that digital technology is changing the world.

Modern technology has made it possible for the discovery of many functional and utility devices like the smartwatch and the smartphone. With all of these revolutions, technology has also made our lives easier, faster, better… and more fun.

So let us move the children forward and provide them with the ability to use digital devices as a great learning tool.  Thanks to Mindlab I have been able to show my class that a smart phone is more than just a form of communication and games.

Now What:

Technology has changed the way we live. These are just some of the ways we have been influenced and transformed by technology.

The revolutions that will surface in few years to come will far outweigh what has been experienced in the past. In the future, there is the possibility of each home unit generating its own energy. Technology brings a lot of potentials that will continue to transform the way we live like never before.  I know for myself I have an online business, if it were not for technology my role as a mentor would not grow as fast as it is possible using social media platforms.  The use of technology has allowed me to reach out to the world.

My personal thoughts are that we need to allow our children access to grow in the age of digital technology.  We have the ability to grow at our fingertips.

 “Social is no longer just about collaboration. Social today is enabling businesses to break down organizational and hierarchical silos and barriers. It’s providing employees an opportunity to share knowledge and locate expertise.”  Forbes

http://www.aginginplace.org/technology-in-our-life-today-and-how-it-has-changed/

http://educationreview.co.nz/what-can-new-teachers-expect-in-2018/

IBM: These Are The Top 7 Social Trends That Will Emerge In 2014, Mark Fidelman, Forbes

http://www.leadered.com/pdf/daggett_system_for_effective_instruction_2014.pdf