I don't think the issue is that teachers did not see the advantage of the technology at hand. I think the issue is the time to implement the new technology. Even with something as simple as the internet, you have to teach responsibility, how to search the internet, where to get real and valuable information. Teachers are required to teach so much, in so little time, and make sure the students are ready for TAKS. If you are concerned that your students are not doing so well in reading, and the reading TAKS is comping up, you are going to focus on reading, anything extra is pushed to the backburner. Lack of training would also be a problem. If teachers are not comfortable with any new technology chances are they are not going to learn how to use it on their own unless they learn about new technology on their own free time. If the superintendent would have sent over someone to train the teachers on how to instruct using the internet, then it probable would have been used more appropriately.
If I was responsible for integrating technology into instructional activities, I would provide lesson plans for the teachers to start out using in a way that would benefit them so that a needed lesson was taught, and the students so that they learned about new technology and what their teacher needed to teach. Once teachers are exposed and feel at ease, then it will become more regular to use the technology and easier for them to see how to use it. As long as the technology can cover an academic area that a teacher needs to focus on, then it will be a
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I agree with the issue of time. Time is a precious commodity in teaching. As a first year teacher it feels like they (the district) require you to fit so much into so little a time slot. Technology is not the easiest to fit into that time slot, especially if you are not sure what to do with it. You are right in making the comment about the TAKS. TAKS is what our schooling is based upon now and technology may not fit into that TAKS curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI think you were very astute in suggesting that the district provide some lesson plans to go along with their training on the new technology. I went to a math session last week where the use of "airliners" was suggested. Not all of the schools have them yet, but the facilitator had one there to use as an example and had lesson plans available on the Intranet so that teachers would be able to use them right away. The lesson plans were also accessable with a mouse, so those without the new technology could still use the lessons. I think it was a great way to try and encourage teachers to implement and try out new technologies. Until they have used them for a few lessons, teachers will be unable to properly assess the relative advantage.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I really like the point that you make about TAKS priority in the classroom. As much as the state emphasises the importance of technology in the classroom, they put even more importance on the TAKS. As teachers, therefore, it is is extremely difficult to find a middle ground that satisifies all state requirements. However, there are specific objectives in the TEKS about technology integration, but they aren't necessarily standards that students get tested on. I realize that this issue is a lot bigger than just a comment to your post, but I think it is great that teachers are willing to talk about it.
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Ruth and I would like to share our questions for this weeks live chat. We where face with technical difficulties, but we would like for every one to still have a chance of viewing our questions.
Here they are:
1.Why should I use a technology-based method?
2.Why is it important to know all of the domains?
3.Out of the 6 phases of TIP which one do you think is required to have the lessons succeed? Why/
4.Why should teachers be encouraged to use a variety of technology integration models in their classed?
5.What is the difference between directed or constructivist strategies?
6.Name the four main ingredients for successful technology integration.
7.How do you apply technology-based methods?
We hope you enjoy and if any comments you can post them at our blogs.
Ruth Guerrero
Perla C. Trevino