According to my sources at the school where I observe, teachers’ levels of knowledge regarding technology range from the very proficient to the very inefficient. This appears to be the consensus in many of the postings I have read on other blogs within our class. There are many older teachers who have a total aversion to any and all technology. Most teachers seem to be functional, though. This year, for the first time, all teachers are expected to keep, and to update weekly, classroom blogs. The structure and organization of teachers’ blogs vary depending upon their desires and how much time they have to devote to the task. On the basic level, teachers may simply post their daily agendas or class plans. On the complex level, blogs may feature links to class materials including handouts and lecture resources, as well as helpful web sites. During this school year, technology training has consisted of one staff development session on blogs and one staff development session on Nettrekker. Most training has focused on various teaching strategies, educational theory and Georgia Performance Standards, rather than on specific technology training.
In order to support productive technology training, the facilitator should introduce new technology by having teachers and staff role play and actually use the resources. This will provide practice for them and the opportunity to brainstorm with other teachers about the possibilities of the resources. Ideally, technology training should be presented during preplanning, on staff development days, during snack-and-shares, and/or after school.
One problem to productive technology staff development is ineffective resources. If, for example, you present a new technology, it must be available for teachers to access. You cannot hail the possibilities of using an LCD projector for instruction and then have one for the entire school. Time is also a significant barrier to productive technology staff development. Teachers have so much on their plates, that it is often very difficult for them to find the time to get comfortable with a new form of technology.
Lastly, if I were to provide technology staff development to the teachers in my school, I would provide a presentation with multiple forms of instruction and appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. I would show teachers technology that can help them meet their GPS. I would respect the teachers’ time and have training that would be beneficial to them. I would present resources that they could easily and quickly implement into their curriculum. Lastly, I would also be certain to follow up with participants and provide additional support after the training session.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
The range of knowledge at our school is very similar to yours. But I can say that, since the ActivBoards have been placed in all classrooms, even our reluctant teachers are using technology more. And they are becoming more proficient. I'm afraid that requiring a blog from them at this point night cause regression and rebellion.
I agree that trainings should be offered at a variety of times so that everyone has a chance to participate.
Though I can appreciate your school's technology initiative, I don't quite get "requiring" the teachers to blog. I mean I'm certain the blog can't be used to vent, which would be great! Who's responsible for reading the blog postings? Are there any requirements as to how many you have to read in a day's time? I do however like the idea of including
links to useful web sites.
I am so surprised that a school would make classroom blogs mandatory and updated weekly. It shows how technology is really spreading in our school system. I love the fact that you mentioned that you would include mutiple forms of instruction in your presentation and show teachers how technology could help them teach GPS standards.
Post a Comment