| Teachers taking their first tentative steps into the | | | | tricks can be shared with ease across the |
| world of education may be a little overwhelmed | | | | international online community. |
| at first at the prospect of facing a classroom of | | | | There are differing opinions on whether children |
| young learners, all relying on their imagination and | | | | using technology is a good thing in the home, with |
| resourcefulness to take them to the next stage | | | | games consoles, computers and multimedia |
| in their lives. | | | | devices replacing more conventional forms of |
| On top of this, there will be school policies and | | | | personal development tools. The fact is, however, |
| curriculums to adhere to, new colleagues and | | | | they are there and they can’t be ignored. |
| perhaps a few ‘class management’ issues | | | | Children who are switched on to technology at |
| to contend with too. So it suffices to say that a | | | | home may become bored in the classroom if |
| teacher’s job has its fair share of challenges. | | | | presented with a simple textbook, so it’s |
| However, this is counteracted with the many | | | | important to engage the children as much as |
| rewarding facets of the profession, including | | | | possible – this will make the learning process a |
| working with lots of adorable young people, eager | | | | whole lot easier. Teachers can keep a folder of |
| to hang on the teacher’s every word and | | | | ‘bookmarked’ websites containing |
| learn many valuable lessons that extend well | | | | problem-solving puzzles or other educational, |
| beyond the confines of their textbooks. | | | | interactive media sites, which are ideal for filling |
| Teachers in the modern digital era are lucky, | | | | any spare time throughout the day. |
| however, in that they have a myriad of tools to | | | | Similarly, the link between home and school is |
| tap into that can make their jobs just that little bit | | | | crucial. Young learners shouldn’t switch off |
| easier. Whilst there are a whole host of | | | | when they leave the classroom, they should |
| interactive multimedia tools available to help | | | | continue to learn at home too. If a teacher was |
| teachers in the classroom, the wider technological | | | | to build a simple website containing things such as |
| sphere can be used to their advantage outside | | | | classroom policies, homework, newsletters, |
| the classroom too. | | | | calendars and topics covered in class, parents will |
| Social networking sites such as Facebook and | | | | be better positioned to engage with their children |
| MySpace weren’t developed for the sole | | | | and take an active role in their kids’ |
| purpose of helping friends keep in touch. They are | | | | development. |
| fantastic forums for teachers to connect and | | | | So teachers shouldn’t rely solely on |
| collaborate with other educators around the globe. | | | | classroom-specific technology such as interactive |
| Twitter is one of the latest social networking | | | | whiteboards and learner response systems to |
| tools to take the world by storm and it’s | | | | advance their pupils’ learning. The wonders of |
| incredibly simple to use. Teachers can develop a | | | | modern technology extend beyond the four walls |
| personal learning network (PLN) on Twitter, and | | | | of the class and teachers should be using them to |
| connect with other teachers who specialise in the | | | | their full advantage. |
| same subject area, and best practices, tips and | | | | |