The Broader Professional Context

Contemporary trend in New Zealand or internationally: 

Technology Trend

According to the OCED (2016), a major trend affecting the future of education is technology.  Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has dramatically reshaped people’s lives and expectations in the virtual world.  Since my school has a one-to-one digital laptop programme, I wanted to learn about the future direction for digital technology. 

Students today, particularly the adolescents that I teach, have been exposed to numerous digital programmes and social media websites.  Cellphones, I-pads and laptops are common devices, everywhere.  Mobile devices and digital technologies have enabled people, from all around the world to work, socialise and communicate together without leaving their home, workplace or classroom.  According to KPMG International (2014), 75% of the global population has access to a mobile phone and in many countries these devices are more common than electricity or clean water. 

Nothing has transformed the way we live as technology which was further supported in the article by Becker,Freeman, Giesinger Hall, Cummins, Yuhnke,(2016).  Technology continues to have a positive impact on the lives of people around the world in new careers such as biotechnology, virtual reality, social media and business websites.  According to the National Intelligence Council, “Rapid technological advancements will increase the pace of change and create new opportunities but will aggravate divisions between winners and loser” (p.6).  This emphasizes the need to keep abreast of current technological practices in schools.

Future jobs look set to continue to require an incredibly high level of digital expertise in medicine, agriculture, environmental energy and genetics.  Since Computer Science is one of the fastest growing industries it seems crucial that educators teach effective and current digital skills in their classroom practice such as website design, developing educational games and app’s and even prototyping new products.  Obviously, schools will need to upskill all teachers, purchase digital equipment and get high speed broadband to enable these programmes to be developed effectively.

One of the key trends that I related to was Coding as Literacy.  Since starting Mindlab, I have incorporated Scatch and recently, elements of Mindcraft into my class programme.  I have witnessed immense engagement and collaboration, particularly from the boys in my class.  This seems to support the current workforce trend that demands changes to schooling practices that emphasize 21^st skills.  It seems evident, from the readings and videos, that the use of laptops in classrooms is not the most effective digital device.  I-pads are light and portable while apps can be downloaded, and touch screens make them easy to use.  Schools may need to look more closely at their current digital technology to determine if they are meeting the required tools that 21^st Century learners need.

According to OCED (2016) new technology can also bring about unknown risks and dangers which schools and governments will need to address, however; the main one for educators is cyber bullying.  Schools need to continually upskill teachers in ways to use technology effectively and safely.  As educators, an important role is to guide students to be responsible digital citizens. Our school runs a Digital Citizenship programme to provide students with sensible choices to stay safe when using the internet on their laptop (or any digital device), at school and at home.

No one can dispute the exponential rate that new technologies and technological advances have developed, and this trend looks set to continue, if not accelerate.  Digital technology promises to hold many exciting, new opportunities for students and it is our job, as educators to guide, support and provide opportunities for these technological skills to be developed in the classroom.

References:

·         Adams Becker, S., Freeman, A., Giesinger Hall, C., Cummins, M.,and Yuhnke, B. (2016). NMC/CoSN Horizon Report: 2016 K-12Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2016-nmc-cosn-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf

·         KPMG International. (2014). Future state 2030: the global megatrends shaping governments”. KPMG International Cooperative: USA. Retrieved from http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/future-state-government/Documents/future-state-2030-v3.pdf

·         National Intelligence Council. (2017). Global trends: The Paradox of Progress. National Intelligence Council: US. Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/files/images/globalTrends/documents/GT-Main-Report.pdf

·         Trends Shaping Education. (2016). OECD. Retrieved from http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/education/trends-shaping-education-2016_trends_edu-2016-en#page15