Much has been written lately about technology in the classroom — as to whether it is optional or even relevant. This conversation is understandable, given the time of the year. I ask myself two questions in reaction.
- Can a teacher be a good teacher without using technology? A resounding “YES!”
- Is a teacher who is not using technology doing their job? An emphatic “NO!”
But, of course, it isn’t so simple. “My kids use the pencil sharpener. That’s technology.” It’s why I try not to use that word, and urge others to stop trying to “Integrate technology” It’s too big. It means too many things. It’s why I keep hammer on literacy, that it’s information that has changed (digital, networked, overwhelming, and the more esoteric changes that have come about because of the read/write web).
If we can expand what it means to be literate to reflect the changing information environment, and integrate that, then we might start using technology for what it is, the pencil and paper of our time.
David,
Having spent 6 years as a “Technology Integration Specialist” and still not seeing a lot of “integration” among our teachers, I would agree wholeheartedly. As we talk more and more about information literacy it seems to be perking up the teachers ears a little. Literacy is something the understand, can wrap their thoughts around. It is something they do every day. To me the problem with “Integration” is that no matter how it is presented it is still seen by teachers as one more thing.
As my friend Ewan says: It’s not about the tech… it’s about the teach!
David, I completely agree with your points, which I why I think it is so important for us to think about how technology connects with content standards and makes it easier for students to master the standards. Teachers are definitely interested in teaching to the standards. If we can explain how technology will help them achieve this objective we’ll really be ahead of the game.
Andrew Pass
http://www.Pass-Ed.com/blogger.html
David, it’s interesting that you wrote about this today… I was just listening to one of your podcasts on my way home yesterday, grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down something you said – “we need to stop “using” technology and start using the tools that will help our students accomplish learning goals.” I agree with Kelly…the term integration is all wrong. There needs to be a more clear connection to learning and learning goals. I’m approaching any training that I do by starting with our learning goals (curriculum) and then demonstrating how the tools help students to achieve those goals. When asked if I would do a workshop on KidPix and Kidspiration, I said I would but only if I could talk about the importance of visual learning and organizing information and not about how to use the software. Let’s help teachers understand how the tools benefit student achievement – sometimes this happens best with one teacher at a time.
In NC we have some great research, job descriptions and evaluation instruments for the job of Instructional Technology Facilitator. I am beginning to think we could move forward better if that title were changed to something like 21st Century Literacy Specialist. That doesn\’t sound like someone who could inadvertently become mired in tech support functions.
Technology is the new literacy. I also have the “Technology Integration” label on my job description. Guess what? It isn’t working. Sure there are a few mavens out there doing great things, but the majority of the Digital Immigrants either don’t know where to start or are caught in the mindset that if they don’t know everything, they can’t possibly teach it. We’ve been doing software workshops for years, and IT has put millions into hardware and networking. The result? The ‘real’ literacy begins at 4:00 when the kids get home and IM each other and update their blogs. Diane (above) makes an excellent point, no more ‘KidPix workshops’, rather workshops focussed on how to address enduring understandings using technology as simply one of many tools available to us.
Diane touches on the technology v tools debate. The teacher who says “my kids use the sharpener” (and I know they exist) is missing the point. Yes, the sharpener is technology – at the end of the day, so is the light switch – but it is absolutely essential that ICT technology is as integrated into their school lives as that sharpener. When they need to use the sharpener, they don’t have to go to a special suite, or get authorisation, they just use it to do a job. ICT kit needs to make the transition from being technology to being a set of tools.
I think the fact that we are beginning to think “technology integration” is the wrong terminology shows progress in our understanding of ICT, students and their future. The good teacher and his/her “bag of tools” has become increasingly important in meeting the diverse learning needs of our student population in Texas. The importance of technology tools in our students’ lives and futures require the good teacher to include it in their toolbag!