According to the textbook, Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools, the effort to implement technology in schools are sometimes held back by teachers. Teachers are not applying what they are learning during professional development programs on technology. Here are some of my thoughts as to why some professional development is not working.
1) Programs are given in the afternoon or summers when teachers are tired or not engaged with students.
2) Programs are offered before the technology is available in the classroom so teachers aren't able to jump right in and use what they learn.
3) Requirements are not made of teachers to use new technology.
4) Support after the program is lacking, teachers get a one-time introduction to the technology, but no support while using it in their classrooms.
5) Learning new technology is time consuming.
6) Infrastructures or equipment don't support the technology so teachers are concerned about starting projects in the classroom. Computers, programs or the internet do not work when teachers need them to.
7) Fear that the students may know more then the teachers do about this technology.
Three important things that should be present to increase technology use in the classrooms are:
1) A requirement that teachers are to be using technology in the classroom. I believe that parents, administration and school boards should raise their expectations as to what is being taught in the classroom and how it is being taught. If it is only suggested that teachers use new technology, they may choose not to.
2) "Just in time" education and training is needed for teachers. Web 2.0 tools can make it possible for teachers to learn when, where and how they need to. Through Professional Learning Networks and online tutorials, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and videos, teachers can get the professional development they need to bring more technology to the classroom. If programs are paid for by the school and experts are brought in, the technology should already be in place so that teachers have an opportunity to use the technology as they learn about it.
3) Funding and support for technology must be available.
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Cherri,
ReplyDeleteI see that in my school now. It is suggest teachers use technology, but not required to. I have often suggested that each teacher must incorporate technology once in their classroom. If teachers could just "SEE" the benefits, I think more would use it.
Do they opt not to "SEE" it of do they not not "SEE" it?
Cherri, everything you said in this blog is right on. In our school there are so many blocks you can't even check your email. I know that when I go back to school these tools I am learning about will not be for use on the school computers. And let's not talk about the age or quality of the school computers--90% of them still take disks when all of our students have USB drives. What do we do with that? I am trying not to think about it right now.
ReplyDeleteCheri,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you said. However, another point I would add would be that administrators need to also make it a focus. I read somewhere that one administrator required that one of his two observations needed to have a technology focus. This should be happening nationwide so that we don't continue to lag behind the rest of the world in technology usage. If it was a requirement from the top down, it would also motivate teachers to invest their time in technology. I recently read that during Bill Clinton's administration that the U.S. was ranked 4th in the world for internet usage. However, in 2007 our ranking fell to number 16. How are our students going to compete with the rest of the world if we don't prepare them properly?
You make many great points here in this post. I have to admit, I see this a lot in many schools. When I think of the one "big" problem with technology... in my opinion, is that technology does not have a lot to do with testing. Teachers today are so focused on trying to cram every little bit of standards they must meet, I do not think they feel as though they have the luxury of using technology in the classroom. I do not blame them. They have a lot of outside pressure for their students to do well. Learning something new takes time. Teachers today often have little to no time for training, practice and then implementation. I also agree it is a fear issue as well. Often, it looks a lot scarier than it really is. Let the kids teach us. Let them teach the class. It is OK that the kids know more than us! What a great relationship builder! I know I have said it a few times, but when someone is teaching you something, they are learning a whole lot more than just sitting and taking notes. I do not have all of the answers, but great educators like yourself and your classmates will hopefully spread the word. Slowly but surely, we will begin to have an impact and start to change some minds.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should take this Web 2.0 course to make all of this technology a little less scary! I have learned so much and find myself playing around more and diving deeper into technology than ever before.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that we ask our students to learn new methods and be receptive to change, yet teachers are unwilling?
ReplyDelete