Education is currently at a crossroads as
traditional methods and tools are changing as a result of advances in
technology and learning theory. We are
beginning to see some schools across the country take the lead in merging sound
pedagogy with the effective integration of technology. These schools and educators, whether they
realize it or not, are not only enhancing the teaching and learning process,
but they are also providing their learners with essential skill sets pivotal
for success in today’s society. These
skill sets include critical thinking/problem solving, media literacy,
collaboration, creativity, technological proficiency, and global awareness. The ultimate result with this shift has been
increases in engagement as well as a sense of relevancy and meaning amongst
learners, all of which are foundations for improving achievement.
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Even as we are seeing more schools and
educators transform the way they teach and learn with technology, many more are
not. Technology is often viewed either
as a frill or a tool not worth its weight in gold. Opinions vary on the merits of educational
technology, but common themes seem to have emerged. Some of the reasons for not embracing
technology have to do with several misconceptions revolving around fear.
Time: The time excuse seems to rear its ugly head
more than any other excuse not to move forward with technology
integration. The fear of not being able
to meet national and state standards, as well as mandates, leaves no time in
the minds of many educators to either work technology into lessons, the will to
do so, or the desire to learn how to. Current
reform efforts placing an obscene emphasis on standardized tests are expounding
the situation. This is extremely
unfortunate as integrating technology effectively does not take as much time as
people think. Educators would be well
served to spend a little time investigating how technology can be leveraged to
engage learners. Once they do, their fears
will subside as it will become apparent that standards and mandates can still
be met while making learning more relevant, meaningful, and engaging for
students.
Cost: With budget cuts across the country putting a
strain on the financial resources of districts and schools, decision makers
have become fearful of allocating funds to purchase and maintain current
infrastructure. This is unfortunate as
there are many creative ways to cut costs, as well as to free resources that
can be used with existing infrastructures.
Schools can utilize cost-effective lease purchase programs for
computers, investigate the implementation of a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)
program, or promote the use of a plethora of free Web 2.0 tools. Where there is a will, there is a way. Cost can be prohibitive at times, but there
are ways to overcome this and move forward.
Assessment:
Many teachers and administrators alike often fear how students can be
appropriately assessed in technology-rich learning environments. This fear has been established as a result of
a reliance on transitional methods of assessment as the only valid means to
measure learning. Projects involving the
use of technology that unleash creativity, promote critical thought, have
students solve problems, and enhance communication/collaboration can easily be
assessed with teacher-developed rubrics.
There are also many software and web-based computer programs aligned to
standards that have assessments embedded into them while offering real-time
results and feedback.
Control:
For technology to be not only integrated effectively, but also embraced, a
culture needs to be established where teachers and administrators are no longer
fearful of giving up a certain amount of control to students. The issue of giving up control seems to
always raise the fear level, even amongst many of the best teachers, as schools
have been rooted in structures to maintain it at all costs. Schools and classrooms do not, and will not,
spiral out of control when we allow teachers the flexibility to take calculated
risks to innovate with technology or permit students to learn using social
media or their own devices. To truly
create an innovative culture of learning we must not fear failure either. When we give up control a certain level of
failure will follow. However, it is from
failure that we learn best and get better.
Lack of training:
With the integration of technology comes change. With change comes the inevitable need to
provide quality professional development.
Many educators fear technology as they feel there is not, or will not be,
the appropriate level of training to support implementation. Rest assured, training can be provided and,
in most cases, it turns out to be cost-effective. Schools can leverage tech savvy teachers to
facilitate professional development.
There are also numerous free webinars available throughout the
year. One of the most powerful means of
professional development is through the use of social media where educators can
create their own Personal Learning Network (PLN) based entirely on their unique
needs and passions.
All of the above misconceptions that promote a sense of fear
when it comes to educational technology in schools were a reality for me a mere
three years ago. It wasn’t until I took the time to educate myself to better
lead my school in the 21st Century that I soon realized my fears were solely
built from misconceptions. The end
result has been the transformation of New Milford High School, a transformation
which is still continuing today. Don’t
let fear based on misconception prevent you from creating a more
student-centered, innovative learning culture.
Rest assured everything else will fall into place.
