As a Computer Technician I hear all kinds of barriers to technology integration at the sites I work at. Some of the barriers I hear about are; not enough computers, not enough help, can't connect to the internet, and others. Some of these are important, but some of these are excuses for not using technology in the classroom.
As Dr. Newberry stated in the podcast, one of the major barriers that was recorded in 1999 was lack of computers and now in 2009 teachers are still naming this as one major barrier for technology integration. At this site, each class has at least four computers in it. This is enough to have rotations of four or five students, maybe one student who is good with technology and trustworthy for support. I've seen it done before in other classrooms. Some teachers think they need one computer for each child. That is a good idea, but only possible when the class comes to the computer lab once a week. Even then most of the teachers do not use the lab for lessons, but for a place they can leave their students so they can get lesson planning done. I think this is a proxy to excuse themselves for using technology in the classroom. In fact, I have seen teachers with four computers integrate technology in their classrooms.
Some teachers say it is hard to integrate technology without extra help and support. This might be a barrier because some things could be hard to do when there is only one adult in the room. One example, I have a fifth grade teacher who let some of her high achieving students use the computers to research and create a presentation on an animal of their choice. She couldn't give them her help, so she asked me and the computer teacher to help these students when we had time. On the other hand, I have a teacher who lets his students go on the computer and type up a paper, or research for their science project, or work with the online program kidbiz300. With this teacher, I have installed a program on his laptop called Apple Remote Desktop which allows the teacher to watch over the student's computers in his classroom so he can monitor those students and still manage the class. I believe he hasn't reached the potential of integrating technology, but he is one that is coming closer to the goal.
I have a lot of teachers who love to hook their projectors up to their laptops and show their students material that is on the internet, or a slideshow of some sort, but a lot of them have trouble connecting to the internet. At first it was the district's fault because they installed new technology without properly training the technicians. Once I got a handle on the problem and had all the teachers up and running, I showed them some simple ways to troubleshoot some problems that are simple fixes. Some took the information in and use it, but some still are dealing with the same troubles. This is sometimes a barrier because there are problems that come up where teachers can't fix and that is a problem. I think the real problem here might be the fact that everything is not perfect, even computers, and if something doesn't work once doesn't mean you should give up on it. I've seen teachers use technology in the classroom, but when something goes south, they give up ad stick with something more dependable, booklets.
For the most part, I think barriers are more in our head then anything else. Lets look at the metaphor: There's a million ways to skin a cat. (Sorry but it was the only one I could think of) ME OW There are different ways to integrate technology, you just have to find a way that fits the best within your classroom.
Activity Log:
2/17/09- Been sick, trying to do as much as I can on projects, listen to podcast, wrote my blog, praying I feel better to work tomorrow.
2/19/09- Continued with the projects, made comments on three students blogs
I really think that most of the barriers are now structural in nature, and have by-passed much of the 1999 study. School itself is the problem. Rigid days and hours, use of teaching techniques and curriculum that is more suited to 1950 than to 2009, business-like answers to a non-business environment, and a top-down administrative structure whose intent is to support enforced mediocrity, not innovation, are really the barriers we should be examining. Changing the structures would require the use of technology, and would not just be supported by the use…webcasts of classes, interactive websites jointly created by student and teacher to explore curriculum, the use of audio, video, GPS , tied to the arts and Physical education, would replace text books and rote learning. Truly creating schools that meet the needs of our student’s futures, not our pasts, would go a long way to knocking down barriers to the use of technology.
ReplyDeleteI think if schools offer incentives for the teachers to learn the technology they would be more motivated to learn it. At my workplace, faculties are encouraged to attend workshops to increase their knowledge in technology and they are given credits for attending.
ReplyDeleteYou make some valid points about barriers to technology, especially regarding hardware or software that may require repair or maintenance. I too have seen teachers give up on technology if it is not repaired in a timely fashion...in this sense, it really handicaps technology's potential for integration. What do you think could be the solution for this? Hire more technicians? Or train teachers better?
ReplyDeleteYour school is lucky to have an instructor it the lab but I can understand how teachers could take advantage of this once a week extra planning period instead of assisting with whatever task the students are completing. It would be good if when a teacher were in the lab you could go around and do some troubleshooting in rooms. At my site there are about three teachers who get the paniced phone calls for tech help. Fortunately, if its a computer problem it can usually be fixed over the Internet from the district, unless the computer has totally died.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to answer your comment on my blog here because I wasn't sure if you would go back and read it there since you had already commented.
ReplyDeleteI understand about students getting caught up in the bells and whistles of a power point and not really learn the content. I thought I had avoided some of that in my original directions by stating that I wanted the information content found,paraphrased and then put on the the slides. I tried to make sure that that was what they were doing but since the grades were extremely low they never reviewed or discussed the material again once they had paraphased it. Maybe, the next research project will work. My next one is they are to find various sources about Jackson's Indian Removal plan and the Trail of Tears. The final product this time is an individually written paper, so hopefully they will remember the facts better. They are to use at least three sources besides the textbook and videos that I am showing in class on the topic. I'll let you know if its better.
Hey, Bill. I realized something some time ago. I have a love for technology because it is one of my hobbies. I engross myself in the latest and greatest because it is fun, new and sometimes even makes my life a little easier. It just so happens that it has become a driving force in education in the recent decade. I am certain that not everyone shares my passion. I have found that simply by sharing my enthusiasm for technology, I often gain an audience that I may not have otherwise had. I like to think of myself as a salesman for technology. I have to convince my customers that technology is a good fit for them and that it is a good investment for their future. I commend your efforts in helping others to learn new technologies. I believe if we continue to help users understand how it can make their lives easier, and then show them how to use it; they will follow the lead. Bill K
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