Focus Question- Can technology integration in American classrooms adequately or correctly be expressed as a hierarchy? Why or why not?
I think in today's classrooms the technology integration hierarchy still exists. It might have gained some size in the middle area, but the proportions are still the same. There are more down at the bottom with using less technology than there are at the top with using a lot of technology. I do have to admit that in the passed three years I have been working in the schools I have seen teachers use more technology as the use of it grows. For example, One teacher started to use an on-line program for reading tests. The next year some teachers saw that it was helpful in testing the students and helping raise their reading level. Now all the teachers are using the program and they now are looking into drill and practice programs for math. Even though the teachers use computers for a way to test students, they still only use computers as a reward for good behavior or a way to keep them busy when they are done with their work. I have noticed that a lot more teachers are using their laptops more than just to do report cards. I use to never see the laptops until it was report card time. Recently I have seen the teachers, in Dr. Newberry's hierarchy, using it as a teacher tool which they keep it near them or on their desks.
Bonus:
The only thing I have to say that has changed about the technology integration hierarchy is that the shape of the diagram. I would have to say with the changes in technology and they way things are done in the present time, it is hard not to use any technology in school. For example, grades now are mostly done electronically and that is hard to do without a computer for the teacher. I think the hierarchy in the present time would have to look like a trapezoid where the top would be getting wider and the bottom slowly getting smaller. That's how I see the hierarchy today and transforming as technology grows more important in schools.
Activity Log:
1/28/09- Listen to blog, followed the hierarchy web page, posted blog, thinking about finally project, thinking of e-mailing to the professor to see about projects, sleep and thinking zzzzzzz....
1/31/09- E-mail Professor Newberry about topics, still confused about number three, Respond to student blogs.
2/1/09- Finished proposals, watched SuperBowl (Go Steelers)
Activity Log Session 10
17 years ago
I agree to a point with the fact the shape of the hierarchy's shape is changing. Soon it will no longer be pyramid. I also think the number of levels will change. I think we will eventually not have any rooms where computers or other technology are not used at all. So that would eliminate the bottom layer. Then I feel the second and third layers will be combined as teachers use overheads, responders, smart slates and projectors more and more to meet part of their instructional needs plus the daily use for record keeping. This layer, however, still sees the technology acting on the students. Then the third layer would have students using technology for drill and testing plus directed research. Finally, a top layer where technology becomes student driven design and involvment with their lesson planning. I don't think every teacher will ever move totally into this layer of the hierarchy but they will have units or projects that become more and more like this. This would be my dream future for technology and education. Unfortunately, I think we are a long way from there. Part of the reason for this is because as Cuban says in Chapter 3 the people who dictate policy and programs for teachers aren't in the classroom and they don't ask for teacher input.
ReplyDeleteI can see your viewpoint and how it evident in classrooms in many districts across the state. For now there is an apparent hieracy because the playing field is not plain but more like the rocky mountains because technology is not readily available to all, training is limited, funding is sparse. Yet, in the near future this trend will begin to change. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg today but soon the whole iceberg will become visible. As educators we possess the ability to lead others in fully integrating technolgy especially if it lead to student improvement.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good analogy between the haves and the have nots as it relates to different schools even within the same district. One positive aspect in the future is that even though the state is temporarily strapped for money, technology gets cheaper and cheaper. For example, you can now buy a laptop that does more stuff faster than computers of a few years ago. With the right management we can feasibly get more and better technology for less than we did a few years ago. This only emphasizes how important it is that someone who understands what is wanted and what will actually be used is the one who creates the technology purchasing plans for a school or district.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog, but did not see your project proposals anywhere? I agree with your comments on the changing shape of the heirarchy and those of the others who posted on your blog. I agree with goveab in that all classrooms (hopefully soon..) will have more technology integration (even PE!) because eventually we will have no choice. It seems as though everything is turning technological (grades, attendance, communication, no more hard copies of textbooks..etc). What worries me though is the increasing number of students who for a variety of reasons do not have access to technology at home. If they do not have it at home it seems as though it would be more difficult for them at school to adapt to the increased use of technology. Just a thought...
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