As educators, we need to be able to change and adapt along with changes in technology and its integration in our schools (Collier, 2001).Through the use of mentors, administrative and even student support, we can become better at using technology for classroom and even personal use. Integration will only happen if we all take ownership and tailor staff development to our own specific needs (Collier, 2001).
Mentors are a great way to help any teacher that wants to learn something new. My first year teaching, I had a mentor to guide me with anything that came along, including technology. Our school, as I said before, is lucky enough to have an ITRT on site to mentor and guide us through any technological roadblock. Often, the mentors of new technology are the younger teachers that are new to teaching, but professionals at all things electronic. To this day I still help my mother program her phone. Sometimes, I will help a person at school with the grading software and in return they may help me with something that I have not yet mastered. We all need to work together to be successful (Collier, 2001).
Administrators need to provide development for teachers that is tailored to individual needs (Collier, 2001). We need to group teachers according to ability and content area to maximize productivity during a technology development session. Those with little technology experience will need to go through more of the basics than those that have been doing this for years. It is simple differentiation, just for the staff instead of the students.
Often the best source of technological advice are the students (Collier, 2001). Many of our kids grew up with computers in the home and I am sometimes asking them how to fix things when something goes wrong. I thought I was technologically inclined but some of these kids are amazing in thier skills on a computer. This can truly make one feel old, even at 26. Granted, they still listen to some of the same music that I do but the computer thing is a real generational gap.
All in all, we need to constantly support each other as a school community (Collier, 2001). f we want to succeed, the support simply needs to be in place.
Resources
Collier, C. (2001). Staff development for technology integration in the classroom. In LeBaron,
J.F. & Collier, C. (eds.) Technology in its place: Successful technology infusion in schools. San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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3 comments:
I like your comments on professional development. I wish I had personal experience to draw on from in the classroom, because I think it would help bring the topics to life more.
I liked you suggestion of differentiation for the teachers. I suggested the same thing in my blog-great minds must think alike!
It certainly does seem like, the younger you are-the more you understand technology(think what a baby could do, if they just had the muscle control and motor skills!!!) On the reverse side...do you notice older teachers in your school shying away or brushing technology off, as though it was a fad?
It is always helpful to have a "go-to" if a technology problem arises. I think a major problem in schools is how do I integrate technology? Teachers are overwhelmed at the task they are trying to do. Many teachers are not familiar with technology so, how can they use it to teach? You are very lucky to have a person that can assist you.
Mentors are fabulous. I do not know what I would do without mine. I also agree that students can help a lot. It is amazing how computer literate they are.
It is important that when implementing a technology plan, the range of abilities is taken into consideration. This phrase is becoming old now I must say it again, "One size does not fit all." As you said, school leaders must "taylor staff development to our own specific needs." It would be extremely ineffective to focus on one ability and expect all staff members to benefit. At the beginning of each year, or prior to, reseach should be conducted to determine the strenghts and weaknesses of each staff member. This will enable Technology Resource Teachers, or other technology specialists, to organize staff development sessions so that everyone's skills improve. Another point that you made is that we all need to work together. It is true that most people may not be good at everything, but some people will be good at something, pertaining to technology. Therefore, staff members should make their colleagues aware of what they know how to do, so that they may be used as a resource when necessary. It might be a good idea to create a list of the different programs and software that teachers use on a regular basis, and write down which teachers are familiar with the programs. This way, when teachers run into problems using a particular software, they can refer to their list of references for assistance. I agree with you that it is critical to the successful integration of technology into a school that all staff members work together and support each other.
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