ICT is the future! (revised)

Today’s modern society revolves around computers and IT technology. Computers are everywhere, from our cars and our smartphones to the actual computers you have at home. Children growing up today are used to having a computer in the house, and they start using it at a young age. In this essay I will argue for the fact that our schools should embrace the future and take the step into cyberspace.

If we bring ICT into our schools, we will get more tools for aiding children with reading and writing disabilities. The word processing programs on the computers all have built-in spelling aid, which enables the child not only to see directly when they have made an error in their text, but also to get the correct way of spelling it. If you connect a scanner to the computer, the student can scan a text and a program will read it out loud, so that the child can hear the text being read while he or she follows in the text. These are just some examples of helpful tools that can be used.

Furthermore, the ICT tools are not only for the students, but for the teachers as well. If the teachers use computers and IT when they plan and construct their lessons, they have a great opportunity to increase their versatility. It is easier to change and vary the plans depending on which subject you want to use it in. Imagine how you can capture your students with a presentation aided by a slideshow on the smartboard, instead of just the teacher and a whiteboard. With the smartboard you can incorporate visual learning by using pictures relating to your subject. The internet presents a great way of sharing your lessons with other teachers around the world, just imagine the possibilities! And as the saying goes; “There’s no need to invent the wheel twice”.

I would also like to respond to Mr. Norris’ article (16/11), where he states that “the access to the internet is a much too easy trap to fall in”. Sure, there are many distractions on the internet, but it is also a great source of information, provided that you teach the students to watch their sources with a critical eye. I don’t believe that this skill can be taught too early, and it is a skill that will be useful in their working life as well.

So, in conclusion, if we start using ICT in our schools, we can become more efficient at helping both students and teachers. And in doing so we can focus on making the school as interesting and captivating as we can! So, take the step into the future, and into a better tomorrow!

A letter of concern (somewhat revised)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson!

Your son, Jack, is in the class that I’m teaching. I regrettably have to inform you that recently Jack has been starting to act mischievously in class, and that he has gotten into trouble with the other students as well. I’ve also noticed a drop in his performance in class, meaning he doesn’t do as well on the assignments and in the different subjects, as he used to. He has also gotten into a few fights on the schoolyard.

The reason I’m writing to you is that I’m wondering if you have noticed any difference in Jack’s behaviour at home. Have there been any incidents that may have caused this change in Jack?

Can I ask you to have a talk with Jack, and ask him about it? Maybe you can get some answers? I’ll try to talk with him at school as well, if it is okay with you. I would like for this to be solved as quickly as possible, for both our and Jack’s sake. Perhaps we should arrange a meeting in school, so we can sit down together with Jack and discuss how we can find a solution to this issue.
Feel free to send me a letter, or give me a ring if there is something you want to talk about!

Sincerely,
Max Remnert, teacher