UWI Professor Urges Use of Technology in Education Process

Errol Miller, Professor of Teacher Education at the Institute of Education at the University of the West Indies, Mona, has expressed the view that information technology was presently the greatest symbol of progress and being on the cutting edge. He urged therefore that it was very important to utilise technology in education, not only because it was technology, but because of its symbolic value. He pointed out that available technology was a tool of work, as well as an instrument of learning, and a means of both search and research.
Addressing the topic, “Teacher Education and Information and Communication Technology” at the Plenary session of the EduVision 2003 conference on Thursday (Nov. 6), at the Wyndham Rose Hall Hotel, in Montego Bay, Professor Miller underlined the importance of technology in the education process, emphasising that technology could be utilised to enhance the development of both teacher and pupil. He stated that it was very important however, that teacher education should drive the technology and not the reverse.
He pointed out that the online aspect of Information Communication Technology was ideal in promoting professional development through methods such as video conferencing and other online features.
Turning to the teaching profession, Prof. Miller said that teaching could be regarded as a science, an art and a craft all at once, and as such the nature of teaching itself dictated career long professional development.
Discussing teacher training, Professor Miller argued that it took at least eight to 10 years after graduation before an individual could be considered a teacher. “And when I say a teacher, it means, thinks like a teacher,” he said.
“It is dangerous to teach nothing beautifully. However, it is the hardest thing to undo a wrong concept taught beautifully”, he emphasised.
Over 300 educators and technology experts from across the Caribbean, Canada, Malaysia and the United States attended the conference. The conference closes on Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 with a presentation ceremony, wherein all participants who completed any seven of the several training workshops offered there, would be presented with an EduVision 2003 endorsed certificate.