My Response To...."Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"

In his blog "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" (thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/09/is-it-okay-to-be-technologically.html), Karl Fisch expresses his frustration with teachers/educators who aren't motivated to learn about educational technology. In the blog, Fisch proposes a list of standards (concerning technological literacy) that he feels all educators should adhere to. Fisch also points out that many teachers/educators feel that it is "okay" to be technologically illiterate (perhaps this can be attributed to laziness or complacency). In the final part of the blog, Fisch sums up his concerns on the subject - by writing:

In order to teach it, we have to do it. How can we teach this to kids, how can we model it, if we aren’t literate ourselves? You need to experience this, you need to explore right along with your students. You need to experience the tools they’ll be using in the 21st century, developing your own networks in parallel with your students. You need to demonstrate continual learning, lifelong learning – for your students, or you will continue to teach your students how to be successful in an age that no longer exists.

Fisch concludes the post with one final sobering message (specifically aimed at technologically illiterate teachers):

If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.

Though many may feel that Fisch's comments are "harsh" or "over the edge", the fact of the matter is that he is right - regarding his statements on technological ignorance. If a teacher/educator chooses to remain closed-minded about new and better ways of educating students through technological advancements, what will become of the students? How will they compete in a world market that is constantly breaking new technological ground? How will they adapt to future technological changes and advancements without having some type of fundamental knowledge of basic technology? Perhaps more teachers and educators will wake up to these notions - and realize that they just don't concern their futures, but the futures of their students as well.