Article by : Meg Ormiston meg@techteachers.com
Exciting things are happening in technology rich classrooms
around the world. Teachers and students are using hardware, software and
high-speed connections to bring the curriculum to life. Collaborative projects,
webquests, virtual museums, interactive simulations and digital video productions
just to highlight a few. School websites proudly display the projects and students
are actively engaged.
In the area of technology integration some teachers are
racing ahead while others are struggling with the basics. This is a look
at the reality I see as I travel around the world helping teachers and school
systems figure out the next steps. I often see the amazing projects, but it is
the feedback from the struggling teachers that will help everyone better
understand the reality.
Classroom teachers need support to integrate technology
into the curriculum. The “how to” instruction must be balanced with
curriculum focused integration planning. Technology is not a class taught down
the hall. Educators at all levels need help to really use the technology tools
in the classroom. Practical strategies for teachers need to be the focus of
professional development.
In the area of professional development countless hours have been spent on
“how to” workshops from everything from “how to” use the mouse to
creating complicated databases. These well intentioned sessions may not have directly
related to the needs of the classroom teacher, offered at a time of year the
skills were not needed and the skills were quickly lost.
Learning from the Experiences of Great Teachers
I have spent many years planning and offering professional
development experiences for teachers. Some sessions have been great, while
others show very little carryover even a month later. Some of the sessions have
been on the “how to” of a piece of software or hardware. Other sessions have
been too abstract or over the heads of staff. The reality of school schedules
has also limited the amount of time for professional development giving teachers
a little of everything with few strategies and resources to change practice.
As a teacher and professional developer I have taken a step
back to reflect on what teachers need to feel comfortable integrating technology
into the classroom. In reality great things are happening in technology
integration, but many more teachers and schools are struggling. It is not for a
lack of vision or planning, we are just not reaching all teachers with the
skills they need.
Four Emerging Themes
Based on my work with teachers I have identified
four issues and strategies to address these issues.
Teachers Need Support to Change
Change is difficult for many
people. To make changes in curriculum, and plan for integration, teachers need
curriculum support as well as technology support. Your support staff and leader
of professional development sessions should have a strong curriculum
understanding along with technology expertise, this blend is not always easy to
find. The talented technology staff is not always the best instructors for
professional development.
Strategies to Support Teachers
§
Working in grade alike groups to plan activities is one way to
support teachers.
§
Summer planning sessions with multiple sessions will go a long way
to boosting teachers skills and comfort levels.
§
A “guide by the side” during the school year will smooth over
the little roadblocks.
§
Offer “mini lessons” during the school year
Professional Development Must be Personal
In professional development, one
size does not fit all! The real
challenge while planning professional development, is all teachers need
something different. Each teacher needs an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
for technology skills and curriculum integration. Make your professional
development personal make it work.
Strategies for Making Professional
Development Personal
§
If possible meeting individually with staff members to a evaluate
comfort level of technology usage and curriculum integration. (This is much more
informative than sending out a survey, the results are usually much more
accurate).
§
Working with the survey data and the teacher make an Individual
Education Plan. This should align with professional development goals for the
year.
§
There are many options available to help including on-line
classes, guidebooks, mentoring, small group sessions, and study groups.
Start with the Digital Foundations for Teachers
The digital foundation is what
Timesaving Technology is all about. Some of the skills include organizing and
managing files in a digital filing cabinet, sharing information on the network,
using e-mail to share information. Locating information quickly on-line and many
more skills teachers need to feel comfortable using technology. These
foundations must be in place to help teachers save time and make the most of
technology.
Strategies to Develop Digital
Foundations for Teachers
§
Each teacher uses the “Digital
Filing Cabinet” tutorial to design and create a new organizational system to
save time.
§
In quick mini lessons, review timesaving strategies at staff
meetings.
§
Use e-mail as a communication tool
§
Create and use shared files on the network
Teachers Need to Understand the Benefits of Integrating
Technology
Technology must become part of the
curriculum planning process so teachers can easily see the connections.
Technology should not be isolated from the curriculum, but instead a tool to
deliver curriculum. Teachers want to do a great job in the classroom, we need to
demonstrate the benefits and remove the roadblocks to successful technology
integration. Make this personal to the teacher and be ready to support the
teacher trying new things in the classroom.
Strategies to Showcase the Benefits
of Technology Integration
§
Before each staff meeting have a quick “show and tell” of a
technology project.
§
Share on-line lessons, webquests and websites that align with
curriculum.
§
During curriculum development and textbook adoption focus on the
benefits of technology integration.
Identifying and acknowledging problems is the first step in
making changes. Understanding the roadblocks teachers are facing will help plan
staff development opportunities better matched to the needs of the teachers.
Reflecting on the personal professional development needs of the staff will help
everyone, even your most reluctant staff members, move to the next level.
Educators of all abilities need support. This is the
starting point to develop a digital foundation teachers can build on. Take a
step back to examine the digital foundation and fill in the cracks, this will
lead to a solid base to grow and develop great experiences!
This is an article adapted from Meg Ormiston’s new book
titled Conquring InfoClutter: Timesaving Technology for Teachers available Fall 2003.
meg@techteachers.com
