This week’s readings and videos provided information on ways to integrate technology, advantages of project based learning, and effective professional development. I really enjoyed the video of Vicki Davis, the ‘teacherpreneur’. Her classroom was completely utilizing project based learning. She facilitated her students in learning how to learn. There are few teachers like Vicki. “A small percentage of teachers have the positive attitudes to try innovations and adopt new ways of teaching” (Pitler, 2005, A-9). As the videos plainly showed, it takes time and effort to integrate technology into the classroom. The entire face of learning changes when technology tools are utilized. This change is usually met with resistance. “A critical factor against technology is people’s innate dislike for change” (Pitler, 2005, A-9). Change is often born out of necessity. With inevitable budget cuts, free technology resources will become a viable alternative in order to meet curriculum needs.
As I read the assigned readings for this week, I began to recall the professional development workshops that I have attended. The ‘new’ information was presented in a way that overwhelms and falls far short of motivating anyone to pursue the technique any further. I believe this is a major reason why “teachers are still viewed as resistant to integrating technology on a more frequent basis” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p. 103). Our educational system is still driven by standardized test scores. The scores are what matter. Every teacher knows that they must do what is necessary to keep the test scores passing. If using technology hinders or impedes the attainment of that goal, technology will not be integrated to its full potential.
References:
Pitler, H. (2005). McREL technology initiative: the development of a technology intervention program : final report. Denver, Colo.: McREL.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: new tools, new schools. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.
VideoAmy), A. E. (n.d.). Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Edutopia. K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work
Edutopia. Retrieved March 25, 2012, from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-teachers-vicki-davis-video
Jeanette King
EDLD 5364/ET 8038
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