A few reflections...

Educational Technology, Integrating Technology, and Instructional Technology.  Just those words are making my head whirl around a little bit.  Who knew that they were three different things?  I do now!  Just taking baby steps to becoming the best Instructional Technology Facilitator that I can be! 

As I think back to all steps it took to get society and education to become technologically developed, I have to say that the real stand out moments are the invention of small desktop computers (think back to the 1970s) and the "Information Superhighway" aka the Internet.  While small desktops made it feasible to have computer-based instruction and learning in the classroom, the Internet took everything to the next level.  Not only are we talking instruction and an amazing resource, but now we are also talking about really convenient ways of communication. 

When I look back at my early school years, I vaguely remember the fight over the computer to play the infamous "Oregon Trail" game.  Did the computers at my school even have any other programs?  I'm not sure that the technology was being used as effectively as it could be.  Fast forward a few years, the Internet has really began to explode.  I remember using the Internet at home (rarely, of course, because it was so expensive!), but I don't think I used the Internet at school until high school.  At this point, I think many of my teachers may have been nervous to try out such "advanced" programs and technologies.     

Sure, technology is not the one and only end-all "cure" for our students out there.  Technology is about effective implementation that all students can benefit from in one way or another.  To successfully implement technology, teachers need to stay open-minded.  Easier said than done.  Some teachers don't like change.  Some teachers don't have time for change.  With everyday changing technology, this can be a problem.  As quoted in Educational Technology in Teaching, "Educators may not be able to predict the future of educational technology, but they know that it will be different from the present" (Roblyer 12).  Technology is and will continue to be ever changing.  Most importantly, students need teachers that are technologically literate, but, also, focused on the students.  Good technology cannot be implemented without good teachers.

So, we know that technology is great, but why are so many teachers still not jumping on board?  I think there are many reasons.  First, I think many educators are overwhelmed by technology.  What program should I use?  Which program is best?  What tools can I use to teach this?  How do I use this?  Teachers, in general, don't like to do things that they don't truly understand.  For some, there seems to be too many questions involved and not enough time to get all the answers.  Also, perhaps the biggest question of all, how will this really benefit my students?  Until teachers can see tangible results and proof, it is unlikely that they will take the time in the first place to use the variety of technology that is available.  It takes technology facilitators and leaders in a building to really encourage others to jump on board.  I hope that I can become that person in my school building.  Overwhelmingly, the lack of access to technology doesn't allow teachers to implement technology to the level that they would like to.  If the teacher doesn't have access to what they need, then it isn't possible for them to jump on board.  If the school systems aren't funding the equipment to provide technology in a classroom, then the teachers probably aren't going to buy into it either.

Maybe you are that teacher who is fighting technology-use in your classroom.  Here are a few reasons why technology should be integrated in your instruction: to gain attention from the students, to gain insight into the real world, to engage, to save time, and to help your students become technologically literate.  Honestly, the list could go on and go.  If that isn't convincing enough, I have to question whether every teacher is really doing the best they that can for their students.  Obviously, technology integration is a key aspect to being a successful teacher and helping your students become successful adults.

Technology doesn't come without its issues and technology integration is not always easy.  These economic times are rough.  It can frustrating to see a handful of coworkers being kicked to curb due to budget cuts while, all in the same day, fancy interactive white boards and new LCD projectors are being installed in every classroom in the county.  Forget that coworkers are kicked to curb, in some areas, music and art are being kicked to the curb also.  Can technology take precedence over the fine arts?  Somehow, a balance needs to be found.  Technology training and professional learning can be costly also, but, without the proper training, technology will not be used effectively by all.  Computers and Internet are often considered dangerous tools to be using in a classroom.  Students can stumble on inappropriate things.  Unprofessional employees can use the Internet or computers for inappropriate things as well.  I think this should be a non-issue.  Students and staff can easily be blocked from inappropriate websites as well as students can be taught the boundaries of computer use in their classrooms.  Teachers also have to set their priorities.  Often, this means that technology has to come behind teaching the standards and passing the standardized tests.  I firmly believe there is a way to merge technology with standards-based instruction and still get the students to pass those final tests.  It all requires a dedication to excellence in your classroom.  Some teachers bring up the Matthew Effect ("the rich get richer, the poor get poorer").  Students with low socioeconomic statuses don't have the same access to technology in their home lives as their opposites.  Therefore, all students need the opportunity to access technology within their school setting.  This ensures that every child can benefit from the use of technology regardless of technology use at home.  Overall, technology use can have its risk, but that doesn't grant any teacher to avoid the use of effective technology in their instruction and their classroom

Looking to the future, technology is taking on a bigger role in education and in most school buildings than it ever has.  Where I'm currently employed, there are several general-use computer labs as well as a media center lab.  Each classroom has a computer workstation consisting of at least 4 computers (Internet included) with a printer.  Teachers are each assigned their own laptops.  Students have access to laptops through a mobile lab that can be checked out by the teacher.  Each classroom has an LCD projector and SmartBoard interactive whiteboard.  Wireless networks are set up in the school to simplify Internet use.  We are currently going through the process of developing blogs for each classroom as well.  These are all technologies that are used on a daily basis through out our classrooms.  I would eventually like to see laptops become available to every student in a one-on-one ratio especially for use at school.  Imagine the endless possibilities if each and every student could access educational computer programs and Internet research right at their fingertips everyday.  Also, the students would benefit from the life long skills that would gain from daily computer use. 

For technology to be beneficial in schools, different criteria has to be met.  Everyone needs to be on the same page.  Staff members from all levels need to involved and open-minded and allowed professional development to improve technology use.  Technology has to support the standards and assessments.  Also, technology has to have boundaries with in a school setting to ensure safety and equity.  School systems have to have adequate funding and funding management as technology equipment is purchased.  On a final note, technology specialists need to be provided and on hand to support educators as technology problems occur.  As I review through these conditions, I am proud to say that the county that I work for meets all the necessary criteria and is taking the steps to integrate technology into every classroom.  I'm encouraged to implement technology in my classroom when I know that I'm being supported by the school district.

Thinking back to the reading I've done already, I am slowly starting to shape my vision for technology use in schools.  I actually feel motivated and inspired to really take my instruction to next level through technology (who knew a few chapters from some textbooks could be so life changing).  As I look at the comparisons between where my school's technology stands today versus where my school's technology use will stand in the future, I see the biggest gap in the technology literacy of the teachers.  I feel like the teachers have the access to the appropriate tools and equipment, but the real challenge lies in getting the teachers to actually use technology effectively and consistently.  While change can be difficult, it is a necessary component in developing balanced technologically influenced classrooms.  How can we can't from point A to point B?  I guess it's my job to figure that out!