Think you could escape technology by going into teaching? Wrong! Think you don’t need computer skills because you are teaching math? Wrong again. There is not a discipline in teaching that doesn’t use technology. Know how to use a computer, especially the following programs: Word, Excel, and Power Point. Also, be comfortable surfing the web.
Don’t have a computer? Your library probably does. Don’t know how to use these programs? Learn. Your local technical school or community college probably offers a variety of computer courses. If you don’t want to go back to school, you can take courses on-line from your home or, with permission from your principal, from your school. At the very least, get on the computer and learn by trial and error, or get a peer teacher to give you some mini-lessons after school. You might even try asking your administrators for help. They are always looking for needs related to staff development.
Whatever you need to do, do it. Why you may ask? For several very important reasons:
You need to know technology so you can keep up with your students.
Technology gives you access to countless resources, including lesson plans, puzzle makers, educational games, and educational tutorials.
Technology saves you time.
Technology saves you file space.
Practice for many of the tests the students must pass is on-line.