Words of technology, teachers, and classrooms from George Couros

Last class we had the opportunity to Skype in with George Couros. He made some very interesting points on technology and teaching that left me with a lot to think about. As a pre-service teacher it is nice to get his principal perspective on technology, the classroom, and teachers. I actually started following his blog at the beginning of this course as one of the edubloggers I’m following. I find it pretty interesting!

To start off teachers need to be passionate about what they teach. Kids can sense when adults don’t like what they are doing, kids than will lose interest and not be engaged. As George said in the presentation, “really passionate people are infectious.”

This next point ties in with my last blog on digital footprints. Many administrators are using technology in their hiring processes so, one of the suggestions he gave was to build an online portfolio and when job hunting make sure that link is accessible to possible employers. Digital is quick and mobile. Administrators are able to take those digital portfolios everywhere they take their phone. When they have a spare minuet they can look through it instead of being stuck in an office at a desk already busy doing other administrator things. Also sending an online portfolio along with a resume will save that administrator from going to an online search engine and looking for information. George reiterated how important it is to be aware of what our digital footprints look like. Administrators look at that type of information when hiring and they don’t want to see pictures online of prospective job candidates out partying and drinking. If the administrators can find those pictures that means parents and students can too. Teachers are supposed to be good role models and that extends into their personal lives as well.

Another good point he made was that computer labs are on their way out because devices are mobile now. Schools have laptop carts and stacks of Ipads. It isn’t necessary to make a big event of going down and using the computers anymore because they are already right there in the classroom.

George also talked about the issue of school teachers vs. classroom teachers. Teachers should be universal throughout the school and not limited to their own classroom or grade. In my student teaching experience the teacher’s new majority of the K-8 students. They made it a point at recess to inquire about students they didn’t know and build on those relationships they already have. The staff room was great because the teachers talked about their students with other teachers so that they were known. This helps build strong relationships and a sense of community in the school. George made a really good point that teachers must treat all kids in their school as their students, and it is important to spend time in the hallways connecting outside of the classroom setting.

George said this at one point in the presentation and it has stuck with me ever since and maybe it will stick with you too;

“You don’t need to be an expert on teaching; you need to be an expert on learning.”