Teacher of the year question-Technology Integration
Posted by mrfordsclass on April 18, 2008
For those of you out there who have not heard, I won the teacher of the year for Humble ISD’s Career and Technology Center. The question was: “What do you consider to be the major issues in public education today? Address one in depth, outlining possible causes, effects and resolutions.” As you will see my issue (and I have lots of them, lol) deals with the lack of technology integration in schools. What follows bellow is my write up plus some enhancements that could only be found on a blog site. I would really like feedback on this.
There is an alarming lack of technology integration across this country’s public schools. It is wrongly assumed that the kids of today know how to use computers. This is false, the children of today know how to use the programs they like, but once they leave the comforts of MySpace they are as ignorant as the rest of the general populace. Anyone who has been keeping track of the increasing globalization knows that today’s students are facing more competition for higher skilled positions then ever before in the history of this planet. While the typical American school is falling behind in this revolution; the rest of the world is passionately trying to get ahead. One only has to look at the OLPC program (One Laptop Per Child) to understand the scope of the coming competition.
What could have caused the country that invented the Internet and the personal computer to fall behind the rest of the world? One word “complacency.” Apple, Intel, Microsoft, and Google all became the companies they are today by adopting open door policies between those who make administrative decisions and those who are in the know about technology. It is imposable, nor should we expect our superintendents, principles or directors to be current about every educationally relevant technological break through. I teach computers and am completing a master’s degree in Educational Technology and even I have to work on keeping up. What needs to happen in our schools is a re-thinking of technology in education. Those that know about technology must have direct and unobstructed access to those who are in charge. Bill Gates the founder of Microsoft, the richest man in the world, knows how fast technology moves. He knows he cannot keep current on all facets of technology, so he hires those who can. In the computer world if a company has a block between the decision makers and those with knowledge that company dies. Here is the catch; schools and education are in the computer world. We are preparing students for a future were computers will be an every day tool.
My micro-solutions. In my classroom I have put my entire course online: lessons, videos, quizzes, notes, and exams. More and more universities are requiring students to take at least one online course. My class prepares them for that future. They are able to listen to podcasts by others and myself in the industry. The course materials in my class are immaterial to the lessons they learn on how to find, access and learn from the new technology medium.
My macro-solution for American school districts. Open the lines of communication between those who know technology and are up on current and possible future trends, and the top-level administrators. Reexamine computer use and electronic policies. Banning electronic devices is not always in the best interest of the students or the schools. No reasonable person would argue the need to filter web access, but why should school districts ban YouTube when CNN, FoxNews, Political Candidates, and Universities are using it to distribute information?
Lastly, to attract and keep experts in the field of educational technology, school districts across the USA must be prepared to pay them what they could make in the corporate setting, or at the very least pay them more then schools in other countries.
Here is my last thought: If we truly were embracing technology why are you reading this on a piece of paper and not on a computer monitor. For the digital copy as well as the podcast go to http://edtechguy.wordpress.com/
greg205 said
Very interesting ideas.
I’m a student in an educational technology class at a university and I came across your blog through a search for edtech blogs. Congratulations on your award!
I think your ideas are good but it seems that, in large part, school districts are already very busy. How would an increased focus on technology work with so much time already being tied up? I’m also interested to hear ways in which budgets can be better used in terms of technology. Additionally, what are ways in which educators can streamline or expedite the process of increasing their knowledge of technology?
Techyturner said
Mr. Ford, you posed a great question. I agree with you about the fact complacency is a contributing factor. My take on it is different because I come from the elementary side and know that about 50% of our 14,000 students have access to a computer away from school. I have been a Technology and Curriculum Integration Specialist for two years and the biggest factor that prohibited technology from being integrated was the teachers. We offered many workshops, but the largest group ever had 13. Granted, the workshops were after school, on their own time and the participants received district and/or state credit. But in order to gain respect as a professional, you must, to a point, earn it. You mentioned that teachers, who are educating the future society, need to be up-to-date as possible on the current technology. This happens on on your own time! Like Greg205 said, teachers have too many items on their plate and do not see that 80% of their “work” can be eased with technology tools.
I too have my MA in Educational Technology and with budget cuts, I am being returned to the classroom. Well, it’s not the duties I igned up for, but I do know that I have a wealth of technology and curriculum integration strategies that I can share. The principal I will be working with is doing his best to keep his school in the forefront of technology. He is one of five principals that I know who has this commitment to students.
To sum it up, the ideas you propose are great. They will take time, a change in beliefs, and a major overhaul of the educational system and the politics behind it. BUT, it can be done. We have to make our voices known and get involved in the process. Sorry for the long comment, but I had to grant your wish of feedback! Thanks for the opportunity. Keep up the good work.