The article I chose is Educational Technologist as Curriculum Specialist by Kevin McGillivray.
http://www.intel.com/education/articles/help_outside_the_classroom.htm
This article addresses the need for teacher support from the technology coordinator. It focuses on how the technology specialist can assist teachers outside of the classroom. The article discusses the importance of the technology coordinator being a "curriculum specialist" in order to effectively teach teachers how to incorporate technology into the curriculum. I agree with this article because it never once talks about the role of the technology coordinator to support and maintain technology, but rather the role is to provide professional development and classroom support for teachers.
According to McGillivray (2000), curriculum is at the heart of education. A technology coordinator must be able to assist and support teacher's use of technology so they can build confidence and feel comfortable integrating it into the curriculum.
I think this article does a great job in laying out the roles and responsibilities of the technology specialist outside of the classroom. The article focuses on ways the technology specialist can build confidence in teachers so they feel comfortable using technology. He describes four ways to support teacher's use of technology outside the classroom. These include formal, informal, prep-period, and collegial leadership. The formal includes a professional development provided within the school or the school system and he addresses the importance of "practice time." Informal professional development includes small group support of teachers beyond the workshop to make sure everyone feels comfortable and does not have anymore questions. Prep-period addresses the advantages of using the minutes of planning to answer "how to" type questions, and collegial leadership talks about collaborating with others to share ideas of incorporating technology.
I agree with the article, and I believe that if the school technology coordinator is familiar with the curriculum and provides support for professional development, many reluctant teachers will begin to use technology more and more as they become more familiar with the tools and software that is out there!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Katrina, this in an EXCELLENT article!!! I completely agree that if the technology specialist is going to be successful, he/she has to be aware of the curriculum. A technology leader must be able to relate to the teachers and their classroom environment. In Houston County, instructional technology coordinators must have classroom experience as a teacher. I think that is a much needed requirement.
ReplyDeleteI know that as an ITC, I struggled at first with the elementary level. I had a good relationship with the elementary teachers, but since I came from a middle school/high school background I was initially unfamiliar with their curriculum. I think that the more familiar I became with their instruction the more relevant my trainings were for them.
Knowing about technology is great. Knowing how to troubleshoot technology is great. Knowing how to use software is super, too. What teachers really want, though, is someone who can put it in an educational context that is both useful and meaningful in their classrooms.
Even as a high school computer teacher, I found that I often had opposing views with the school technicians, those who made sure my lab was running smoothly. They were all educated and hardworking people. However, they came from a business background and often couldn't understand why I may want something set up a certain way in the classroom. They couldn't quite wrap their mind around what was important educationally and what was important for the students. They seem to have tunnel-vision as to what was appropriate technologically! Of course, they thought I had tunnel-vision and couldn't see the technology side. They were probably right at the time, as I was a brand new teacher. I'd like to think I can see things from both perspectives these days.
Great article Katrina! I completely agree with what you and the article both said. I think that the technoloy coordinator should be familiar with the curriculum and that is the best way for all educators to work collaboratively. I think once teachers are aware of the technology available and technology coordinators are aware of the curriculum needing to be taught, the two can really create a great learning environment for students.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am a teacher who doesn't need introduction to the technology so much as I need ideas on how to integrate it into my curriculum. I think if I had a technology coordinator that was as educated on the standards for my third graders as I am, the two of us would be able to develop really effective and productive lessons for my students.