The use of technology receives different reception, some positive and some negative. Most people use some form of technology in their everyday lives - smartphones, computers, navigators, communication, collaboration, social media, email, reading, entertainment, money transfers, surveillance, medical care, transportation, calendars and numerous other reasons. However, when it comes to our children there are articles, blogs, books, and discussions about the dangers of technology and the need to limit the use of technology. This seems to be another instance of "do as I say, not as I do." Adults can use technology but let's limit what our children use. This limiting of technology includes limiting the educational value of technology. The technology integration specialist has to work with parents, teachers, administrators, and school boards some of which support technology in the classroom, some who don't, some who don't understand, some who are excited to learn and some who are unwilling to learn. In order to meet all the concerns and needs of the variety of people a technology integration specialist works with, they need to be helpful, understanding, creative, innovative, autodidactic, a communicator, a collaborator, a teacher, and a leader - the role of technology integration specialist certainly wears many hats.
An important aspect towards getting more integration and acceptance in education is education. "There are teachers who fully embrace technology integration and work diligently to incorporate and integrate technology into each and every lesson" and "There are also those teachers who began teaching before the technology wave and the advent of the twenty-first-century learner. They often feel as though their lessons stand on their own, have proven successful, and do not need the addition of any technological aids" (SNHU, 2015). Each of these teachers needs a technology specialist who can meet their needs. The teacher who wants to incorporate technology needs a specialist who can direct them to sites, tools, apps or programs which will facilitate their needs. Those who are reluctant need a specialist who can show them the benefits of technology to them and their students, to help them achieve to their fullest potential. Technology specialist need to know their population, to anticipate their needs and to be a liaison between the administration and teachers to direct professional development seminars and in-services. A major barrier towards integrating technology is "the issue of preparedness of teachers to respond to the influx of technology resources, and of schools to keep up with the mechanical functioning and maintenance of equipment . . . Further, many teachers had not prepared to utilize technology in their teacher preparation programs" (Staples, Pugach & Himes, 2005). I have talked with other teachers about technology use in their classrooms and the profession development available. One theme is re-occurring about the professional development: it's not linked to their teaching. Accurate, directed professional development is crucial in the schools towards integration of technology.
"As teachers explore the process of technology integration and search for ways that it can be effectively accomplished, they will develop the rationale to examine the appropriateness of the technologies they are using and whether such technologies are compatible with their lesson plans and learning outcome. The process of exploring the relationship between technology induction and pedagogy will encourage critical thinking on the other part of teacher as they practice technology integration" (Okojie, Olinzock, & Okojie-Boulder, 2015). Technology used for teaching and learning should be considered an integral part of instruction and not just as an object of technology exclusive of learning. Teachers need to see technology as part of a necessary foundation and fluid part of the classroom environment in order to implement technology more effectively and successfully in the classroom.
SNHU. (2015). Module one: The role of the technology integrator. Retrieved from https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-9585145-dt-content-rid-24306458_1/courses/EDU-641NC-16TW2-MASTER/EDU-641-14TW4-MASTER/edu_641_module1_overview.pdf
"As teachers explore the process of technology integration and search for ways that it can be effectively accomplished, they will develop the rationale to examine the appropriateness of the technologies they are using and whether such technologies are compatible with their lesson plans and learning outcome. The process of exploring the relationship between technology induction and pedagogy will encourage critical thinking on the other part of teacher as they practice technology integration" (Okojie, Olinzock, & Okojie-Boulder, 2015). Technology used for teaching and learning should be considered an integral part of instruction and not just as an object of technology exclusive of learning. Teachers need to see technology as part of a necessary foundation and fluid part of the classroom environment in order to implement technology more effectively and successfully in the classroom.
SNHU. (2015). Module one: The role of the technology integrator. Retrieved from https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-9585145-dt-content-rid-24306458_1/courses/EDU-641NC-16TW2-MASTER/EDU-641-14TW4-MASTER/edu_641_module1_overview.pdf
Staples, A., Pugach, M, & Himes, D. (2005). Rethinking the technology integration challenge: Cases from three urban elementary schools. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ690973.pdf
Okojie, M., Olinzock., & Okojie-Boulder, T. (2015). The pedagogy of technology integration. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v32/v32n2/okojie.html
Okojie, M., Olinzock., & Okojie-Boulder, T. (2015). The pedagogy of technology integration. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v32/v32n2/okojie.html
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI so agree with the variety of people who are involved in the process and decision making of technology integration. My cousin has a daughter in third grade. When she was in first grade, a paper went out asking parents to sign off on allowing their child to have an Ipad provided by the school for the year. My cousin refused to sign the paper saying they have technology at home and having an Ipad would only increase technology usage. Her point was that she wanted her child to to have limits on technology usage. The idea was that technology shouldn't be her entire life. Her daughter now in third grade has Ipad access at school, but is still not allowed to take it home (fair decision). However, she cannot do math without the help of technology and her parents have to teach her the math on paper so she can do it. This, to me, is alarming. I recall taking pre-calculus in high school. Everything was taught to us through the calculator. Math wasn't my strength and I need to see and do the process out to understand it better. I couldn't do any of the math on paper because the calculator did it for me. I wonder whether I lost knowledge as a result.
That being said, we are in the 21st century and schools and teachers are integrating technology left and right. Technology specialists are being hired all over the country and we are all told technology is the future, time to get on board. It's still so new to all of us that I do think that many teachers use technology as a replacement instead of an addition to enhance understanding and student engagement. A calculator should never be a replacement for knowing how to add or subtract. Spell check should never be a replacement for knowing how to spell and use proper grammar. I am excited to see how the classrooms will ultimately be revolutionized with technology integration, the way integration should be - not as a substitute for knowledge or ability to do things.
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point integration specialist being “liaison” for teachers to the administration. This is crucial for the administrator to understand the needs of a teacher now and the future to be fullfilled. Jackson states, “Technology leaders at all levels must understand all of the
components within the educational system that are required to lead technology integration as an
instructional strategy and assist in making technology a transparent tool in teaching and learning”. (Jackson, 2009, p.3).
Reference:
Jackson, D. (2009, March). Relationship between Principals' Technological. Retrieved March 13, 2016, from http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right that we must be educators of proper technology use for those who don't understand or are unwilling to allow it. Kids need a balance - I agree - and it is hard when the iPad is such a convenient babysitter, so I get it and can see why parents can either allow too much or restrict it completely out of fear. There is a fine line for sure! I am enjoying your blog very much! Great job! Amy