Reflection of Integrating Technology II

As a homeschooler, we use technology daily and for many different reasons.  It's is a fluent and fluid part of our learning.  We live in an affluent area and the schools here are considered desirable and in the top rankings for SC.  Through this class and the others I have taken, I was amazed at the lack of technology available in our local schools.  I have talked with other public schooled kids and found the same lack at many of the area schools.  There are some districts that have 1:1 Chromebooks or iPads but many of these students I talked to said they use them to do research, write papers and read their text books.  With the incredible web 2.0 tools available, the students and teachers I spoke with never use the majority of them beyond the basics.  Teachers I spoke with had never heard of some of the tools I asked about.  "School systems are known for being glacially slow at adapting to change.  Although school systems may be delayed, it does not mean that the classroom or the individual instructor needs to be, especially when it relates to the adoption of technology within the classroom" (SNHU, 2015).  This statement suggest teachers take an active role in implementing technology in the classroom but how are they to do this without computers?  The teachers I spoke with would love to integrate technology but aren't able to because they don't have the tools.  The tools they do have are often breaking down and there is only 1 IT specialist shared among the schools.  They aren't receiving support, encouragement, professional development or equipment to be able to incorporate technology into their lessons.

Through this class I learned about new web 2.0 tools that I look forward to introducing to my students and to other homeschoolers.  I'm hoping to be able to set up some of these tools like Skype in the Classroom and Edmodo to connect with other homeschoolers locally and from other regions.  I would like to be able to take this knowledge into the local public school classrooms, as well, maybe as an integration specialist.  I want to continue my learning of the available tools and help teachers implement technology into their lesson.  Technology use in the classroom is critical in the students attaining those essential 21st century skills.  This class has helped me see the process through which change and implementation can occur in a school using the key elements of planning, implementation, and follow-up (Meltzer, 2012).  Through this class, I have become more aware of the importance of specialized professional development.  Teachers need pointed professional development with follow up.  "In order for professional development to influence instruction and have an impact on school reform, teachers must be both using their new skills and building on these skills" (Meltzer, 2012).   We will know whether this is occurring through follow-up where we revisit the goals and expected outcomes, review evaluations and by observing teachers using the tools.  Teachers are learners and the process of learning to implement technology into lessons can be a huge task depending on the teacher's knowledge base.  It is important to continue to perfect the craft of technology integration because technology is ever changing with updated and new computers or tablets, apps and software are being introduced continuously and the web is ever evolving.  "AS a technology integrator, keeping up with evolving technology, staying on top of changes in the educational landscape, and maintaining relationships among the school community must be a continually evolving process" (SNHU, 2015).

SNHU.  (2015).  Module ten:  Perfecting the craft.  Retrieved from https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-9585224-dt-content-rid-24306455_1/courses/EDU-641NC-16TW2-MASTER/EDU-641-14TW4-MASTER/edu_641_module10_overview.pdf

Meltzer, S.  (2012).  Step-by-step professional development in technology.  Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.