Video Cameras in the Classroom

In response to: Teacher Ratings Get New Look, Pushed by a Rich Watcher By Sam Dillion. The New York Times: Published: December 3, 2010

Bill Gates wants to spend $335 million dollars to help out America’s education system in several large school districts. The article states “The effort will have enormous consequences for the movement to hold schools and educators more accountable for student achievement.” For the record: Teachers CAN’T teach student everything they need to know if parents are taking responsibility in their child’s academic success. So instead of spending the money on new technology and ways to get people who want to educate out off the classroom, we should be looking at ways to educate parents so they can help their child(ren). We need a system that holds parent’s accountable.

The article also stated that one ways Gates would like to check teacher’s performance is through using video cameras in the classroom. To me cameras in the classroom show a lack of trust of the educator facilitating. As an administrator it is their job to come in the classroom and observe. If you simply say it would save time that would go against what we stand for.

Having cameras in the classroom would also says that I’m not competent enough to be an educator. Despite the fact that I went to school, got my degree and have been doing it for X amount of years. I would feel totally belittled if asked to put a camera in my classroom to make sure I’m teaching.

Data drives instructions. It speaks for itself and it never lies… (At least that what some experts would like you to believe) However, if that is so, than the fact that my students are showing gains should be enough to prove I am doing my job effectively.

Another point is: Who would want to be watched on their job all day long. I know there are some companies that have to due to high levels of security, however it you didn’t trust me to do my job, why did you hire me? Bosses shouldn’t have to worry about employees doing their job correctly, no matter what their profession. We should expect all employees to complete the task at hand without micromanaging and my job is to educate. Which is what I do every day I step foot in the school house.

Lastly, One can say an educator doesn’t want cameras in their room because they don’t want administrators seeing what’s actually going on, but the truth of the matter is that if camera are put in the classrooms someone will then have to take in consideration the behavior and social/emotional issues that disrupt learning and all the classroom management in the world can’t fix. More issues would arise if video camera were in the classroom, whether for a day or a whole school year; issues that would conflict with educators, administrators and politicians.