Walk into any school across the country and you are sure to find some form of technology that is being implemented within a classroom in the school. Standard items such as calculators, textbooks, and even chalkboards are quickly finding their way out the door and to the trash dumpsters at an alarming rate. Technology is usually at the top of any discussion within a school. How can we implement this? How can 21st century skills be integrated while using technology? Schools are quickly launching full-scale implementations of devices and policies each and every year throughout the nation. Seems easy enough right? Wrong.
Technology integration and implementation can be two very difficult strategies to develop and maintain in schools. Several factors and challenges stand between successful and non-successful technology implementations and integrations. The blame isn't all on "well the technology doesn't work" or "it's the teacher's fault". Let's look at what challenges may occur within schools wanting to integrate more technology into their classrooms.
- A 21st-Century Technology Plan
A proper technology plan must be in place to help guide and assist any tech integration into the classroom. When designing your technology plan, make sure to include the opinions and ideas of KEY staff that will be using the technology most in your buildings. If you don't take into consideration how staff members will use the technology, how can they successfully implement the tech into their classes? Build a "Tech Committee" to brainstorm and communicate ideas so your tech plan can be planned successfully.
- Examine Technology Budgets Frequently
A huge issue in education with technology is how much to spend on technology in the classroom. State budgets are shrinking and cuts are made to funding in schools. Will those cuts affect what could potentially be spent on technology purchases? Each and every month, newer and better-designed products are released on the market along with software that allows you to expand on just that one certain area (that every user must have of course!). Does your school really need the latest and greatest software or can the district use what they have and better develop their skill-set and "expertise" with that software?
Budgets don't just fall on software. Districts should annually expect their budgets for hardware, software, professional development, and tech support to stay the same or increase each year. Having a properly planned budget with adequate funds can help so if something needs to be scaled back, you know what you have to work with funds wise for technology purchases.
- Choosing Effective Tools and Devices for Use
Each school and district won't use the same exact tools and devices for learning. Each situation and classroom is unique. Gathering data and viewing classroom interaction between students and teachers can open a new perspective on how technology is used in the classroom. What kinds of assignments and lessons will teachers present to students in their classrooms. Digital learning is at an all-time high due to blended learning and teaching. Finding ways to make teaching easier along with engaging for the student is the number one priority of any teacher and school administrator. Combined with technology budgets, effective tools and devices must be able to be purchased adequately. In our district, we have been an all-Mac district for the last 12 years. We are currently exploring Chromebooks as state funding is being cut and overall costs just need to be trimmed. Finding the right tools for each district is vital to it's success.
Change in school classrooms is hard. "We've always done it this way" is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. Justify the changes in product/devices with effective ways the technology will benefit the teacher and students. One of the best ways to help with this is to simply let the teachers experiment with the new products. I've also found that the good ol' dollar signs ($$) in cost-savings for the district over time has been a big way to convince those on the fence about change to agreeing to the new technology. Sometimes you simply will not convince certain teachers or staff members to change their ways. (In our district, every elementary classroom has a Promethean Board except for one classroom. That teacher refuses to get a Promethean Board. When he retires at the end of this school year, that classroom will finally have a Promethean Board).
As a technology director in education, this is one of the top concerns when implementing technology into classrooms. Teachers want professional development and they deserve it. One afternoon learning Google Apps for Education and Google Classroom isn't enough. Teachers need to be comfortable with the technology. If they aren't comfortable with the technology, how can we expect them to be able to effectively teach with the technology? In any technology integration into a classroom, teachers need to be given the tools and skill-set to effectively use and teach with the technology given to them in their classrooms.
Teaching in classrooms has evolved. Chalkboards have transitioned to SMART boards and Promethean boards. Students have gone from reading out of textbooks to reading "leveled readers" and other materials on devices such as laptops, tablets, and iPads. Learning has gone from paper and pencil to digital learning and teaching digital "citizenship". Some of the biggest pushes with blended learning is online classes and taking virtual classes. The use of online digital classes is rising in school districts and allows for students to gain advantages in the classroom both in high school and beyond. Allowing teachers to transition to blended learning has been made possible with resources like EdModo and Google Classroom. The amazing advances in technology can help prepare students for their futures with 21st-century skills.
Often I hear how the technology in the classroom isn't "adequate". How the technology and devices are used is a key component of any technology integration. If teachers and students are given the tool-set on how to work and develop skills with devices, how can they succeed? Many times I hear that devices are used as "baby-sitting" tools so students don't act up in class when their work is done. I've also heard the now-false statement of "well those are state assessment compatible" as well. While implementing devices and technology that is capable of providing a stable environment for assessment testing and formative testing is important, understanding and preparing for failure is vital. Before you can succeed, you must first learn how to fail and to learn from your failures.
One of my biggest quotes I always take with me to work each day is "Expect the unexpected". By being on the ready, an educational technology director can perform any task and be able to conquer any challenges throw at them.
By understanding educational challenges in technology implementations and integrations, schools can better prepare for the future in Ed-Tech.
