Do teachers need to be technologically proficient? Published 2008-08-11 under leadership, professional+development

Is there some minimum level of proficiency that all teachers need to reach with respect to technology?

Technology continues to become more and more ubiquitous in our lives. Cell phones keep us connected at all times. TiVo has changed the way we watch television. And the Internet has revolutionize the way we communicate. But we are not all the same when it comes to technology. There are vast differences in the adoption of technology into people's lives. Reasons for this "Digital Divide" are numerous and include:

• access the technology is not available in your area.
• money the technology is available but you cannot afford it.
• ability the technology is both available and you can afford it, but you are not (or do not perceive yourself as being) able to understand how to use it.
• relevance you understand how to use the technology but don't see how it will benefit you.
• lifestyle you not only understand how to use the technology but also see how it can be used to benefit lives, but you have made a lifestyle decision not to use the technology.

Given the prevalence of technology in the world today, should teachers be expected to be able to use some of this technology in their classroom and/or in managing their teaching? What forms of technology can be considered "basic" and all teachers be expected to not only know how to use but to be actually using?

Tech Tags: digiwalks professional+development proficiency edtech+forum