Dore -- Article 3

My third article, "Transforming Learning Through Technology," focuses on the need for states to implement technology standards for schools. This article can be found at http://www.mff.org/edtech/article.taf?_function=detail&Content_uid1=275.

The first part of this article describes the different trends that are seen in schools today. One of the trends that is seen across the country is that high-income schools have more technology access and better trained teachers, where as low-income schools have little access and teachers who are undertrained in regards to technology. This trend is a huge reason for the continued gap found in the digital divide. As long as lower income schools continue to have fewer resources to introduce and teach kids about technology, the larger the digital divide will become.

Because this trend is seen throughout the country, the article proposes that administrators who have the ability to mandate technology standards should focus on integrating them into the school systems. It also discusses the need to properly train teachers and use funding to ensure access to the appropriate technology. By adding these elements into the classroom, those students who normally would have fewer opportunities in a public, low-income school, may have opportunities equal to those in public, high-income schools.

Another trend that is mentioned in this article is how schools often integrate technology into areas of the curriculum that are not the main focus (i.e. social studies and science). Teachers feel more comfortable integrating technology into subjects like social studies and science because they are not comfortable with the integration. Because these subjects are often viewed as "not as important" (especially in the elementary grades), teachers are more willing to "practice" using technology during these times because they don't have to worry about the precious minutes they need for subjects like reading and math.

The article addresses this trend by saying that standards need to be created that force teachers to integrate technology standards with reading and math. Because the "real world" is incredibly technology centered, it would make sense that the two subjects that are most used in the real world should also be technology centered. By having an administrative position create these standards, the students would benefit from the introduction and practice with the technology.

Shirley #3

After reading and discussing the article last week about how a technology specialist helps the teachers outside the classroom, I thought I would dig deeper by reading Kevin McGillivray's second article "Education Technologist as Curriculum Specialist".

This article address the role of the technology coordinator in order to assist teachers inside the classroom to enhance and support their curriculum using technology. In this instance, the purpose of the technology coordinator is to help the teachers to make beneficial and appropriate decisions regarding how to use the many technological tools that are out there.

McGillivray approaches this concept with a five step plan. The steps include planning, lesson introduction, co-teaching, assistant, and evaluation. The planning step is when the technology specialist provides advice of what technology, if any, would be appropriate for the standard and work with the age group of the students. I think this is an important step. If teachers were supported by their technology mentors, you wouldn't hear teachers say, "I would use technology but I don't know what to use". The lesson introduction involves the teacher taking a back seat and allowing the technology specialist instruct the students about how to use the technology. This step eases the fears of teachers who just don't feel comfortable. The third step, co-teaching, involves the teacher and technology instructor working side by side, and the fourth step involves the technology instructor providing assistance to small groups or individuals, but the teacher plays the main role in instruction.

I thought the last step was good, and often a step that gets left out. The last step is when both instructors collaborate and work together to reflect and revise for the future.

I agree with this article. I believe if teachers were supported inside the classroom, and not just at professional development trainings, etc., they would be using technology more, and it would be appropriate technology that would benefit the student's learning.