Reading Response 6

I selected Daugherty's "A Changing Role for Technology Teacher Education" to read in conjunction with Kalantzis and Cope's "Changing the Role of Schools." Daugherty's article stems from a study done is 2005. In 2003, the undergraduate program for Technology Teacher Education was changed and a survey was done of current (at the time) Technology teachers with 2 purposes:

1. To what degree do technology teacher educators support the Standards for technological literacy: Content for the study of technology (Content Standards) and the Advancing excellence in technological literacy: Professional development standards?
2. To what degree is substantial curricular and pedagogical change required and/or supported in technology teacher education?

I almost stopped reading the article at this point. Doesn't it seem obvious that the standards would be supported? And who doesn't support pedagogical change in technology teacher education?

These articles both tapped into what I am most excited about and fearful of in the classroom.

Kalantzis and Cope's section of the article entitled "Education and changing patterns of work" is an idea that we've read before from Cope. Postfordism and productive diversity is the new work environment we want students to be prepared to enter upon graduation. The classroom is a work space as is and has the potential to adopt the theories and practices of a modern work atmosphere. I'm excited to be in the TTE field because I feel that I will have a step up on creating this environment of multiskilling and worker empowerment for students. Everything that I am learning in my undergraduate program suggest that I be the teacher described by Kalantzis and Cope. Professor Steve Shumway actually uses this text "Multiliteracies" in his undergraduate classes.

LET'S DO THIS THING!

In Daugherty's article, there is one question that halts my enthusiasm:

"Do you believe that your technology teacher education program offers the 'ideal' kind of curriculum?"

80% said no. Which is fine. No big deal, let's work with the curriculum. That should be done continually anyway, right?

The follow up question was why and the number one reason was "Bureaucracy and lack of support prevent change." That's disturbing. It's also interesting that there was no mention of lack of funding or materials. I don't want to be in a situation where I'm fighting with the Principal. It seems cruel to teach me an ideal and put me in a situation where it can't be met, but I guess that's the real world. Haha, just kidding, I'm not giving up that easily. I love a good fight.