Where is the importance of tech education for educators?
Will Richardson sums it up so eloquently for me:
…which is how in god’s name can we talk seriously about 21st Century skills for kids if we’re not talking 21st Century skills for educators first? The more I listened, the less I heard in terms of how we make the teaching profession as a whole even capable of teaching these “skills” to kids. Sure, there were mentions of upgrading teacher preparation programs and giving teachers additional time in the school day to collaborate, etc. But the URGENCY was all around the kids. Shouldn’t the URGENCY be all about the teachers right now?
I am absolutely shocked at the lack of technology use by teachers and technology coordinators. I’ve been to several technology coordinator meetings, there will usually be 30 or 40 tech coordinators in the room, and as I scan the audience, there are only a handful taking notes into their computer. Most are writing on yellow legal pads! Maybe I’m using technology for technology’s sake, but I respectfully disagree in this example. By putting my notes in electronic format I’m already going to be able to easily file and more importantly find this information at a later date.
This extends to the eTech Ohio Conference this past February. It seems that most teachers and technology staff, while promoting the virtues of technology integration, don’t use it themselves. When you start mentioning RSS, Twitter, Wikis, a lot don’t have any clue what you’re talking about. At least most know what blogging is now.
What’s the solution? Teachers need to be shown how, at the very least, technology can save them time. If technology can save a teacher 10 minutes a day, that 1,830 minutes of the course of the school year, or 30.5 hours. Even if they need a 4 hour training on how to save those ten minutes, they still come out ahead! I believe that once they see that the computer is supposed to save them time as opposed to taking more time, it will ease further staff development.
Technology Coordinators, you need to be guiding the administrators and teachers in your district. If you don’t use technology, then there is less incentive for anyone else to use it. Automate repetitive tasks. Use RSS. Setup a blog. Subscribe to a podcast.
You need to lead.
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Tags: 21stcentury skills, professional development
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First of all, I am very surprised I am the first one to leave a comment. I read your post yesterday and wanted some time to think about the comment I was going to post. I am guilty of taking notes on paper, although I use gray paper. It is easier on the eyes. Sometimes, I like to draw diagrams which is not easy to do with a mouse. Also, I can write a lot faster than I can type, especially when I scribble. When I get out of the meeting, I usually look over my notes and decide if there is anything I need to archive. If so, I will put it in some type of electronic form. Sometimes, I just scan the paper to a PDF. Sometimes, the meeting may be a complete waste of time and I will just toss whatever notes or doodles I made. I carry a stack of index cards with me at all times. I even have a pouch that has a small pen. I use it for those times I need to make a quick drawing or when I can’t use my Blackberry. I use Jott for reminders, adding events to my calendar and sometimes with replies to emails. However, there are a couple buildings where I do not have service.
I believe eTech should take a more proactive role with technology coordinators, especially with new techs. There should be some sort of training or mentoring for “newbies”. New teachers are required to have a mentor. Why not new tech coords? Take a look at the etech Listserv and you see replies from the same people. I have seen only a few new names this year.
I totally agree that we should be guiding the administrators and teachers. However, a lot of times it falls on deaf ears. Your superintendent has to embrace technology and require everyone to use it. Yesterday, I had to attend Bloodborne Pathogens training, even though I am never in the classroom. Why? Because it is mandated that everyone take it. Why isn’t technology training mandated? I sent out an email yesterday that listed all of the technology services we offer. I bet out of the 181 subscribers, only 50 will actually read the email. And, that number may be high.
I hope I am leading by example. I use RSS, Twitter, Pownce, blogs, wikis, podcasts and anything new that comes along. By reading your blog and others, I have learned so much. I am waiting on an order which includes an Asus eeePC and an NComputing box. I can’t wait to try them out and have others try them as well! Sorry for the long comment!
I also do handwritten notes for the very reasons that John Rundag mentions, In fact, if I’m giving a session I prefer that those in attendance do the same. Too often those with laptops aren’t taking notes, but instead they are surfing, emailing, or playing. I think it is rude to any presenter who has spent time working on a session.
I find the lack of knowledge by tech coordinators of the new technologies that can be used for schools to be very disturbing. It’s obvious that a “top down” approach starting with tech coordinator, to the superintendent an onward is the best approach for districts to learn what is out there.
In the case of Ohio, it would be beneficial if eTech could mandate technology literacy in-services for school techs. This could be done at the many branch universities in the state. It would be a tremendous amount of work to coordinate and setup, but I believe it would be worth it.
Years ago, when eTech was Ohio SchoolNet, we had a great resource. I learned a lot from him and SchoolNet lost a great teacher when he went to the University of Findlay. It is tough to replace an Alvin Trusty, but there are many competent tech coordinators who could travel around the state showing tech coordinators how to image computers, setup networks and everything that he did. Also, I met some great people, such as Joe Schiska and Randy Allen at these sessions. If this is too costly to fill that position that was not filled, eTech could train their field techs to provide training for the masses.
ETech Ohio has some very good people working for them, but it seems like quite a few decisions are driven by vendors. Does anyone remember the big push to ATM network a few years ago? Where is the push for more open source solutions at the state level?
I think the mentoring idea is great. I also believe that districts need to tighten up there hiring procedures. Some of the questions on tech coord’s listserv are downright simplistic. I don’t want to belittle those that are trying to learn or especially teachers who are being required to take on tech duties, but when a technology coordinator asks a beginner question, it reflects poorly on all people working in tech.
It especially bothers me when anyone involved in schools, teachers and administration do not want to learn.
I still have problems getting the buy in from the administration, but I’m lucky I have a superintendent that trusts me and a board that values technology.
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