Study faults schools on computer use
surprise, surprise, surprise . . . well, actually no surprise at all. a school district in louisville commissioned a study to evaluate the money they spent on technology (article linked here) and the results are in. they found that that the money being spent on education technologies is not being used effectively largely because the teachers are not prepared to take advantage of the technologies — they don’t know how to integrate technology in the curriculum to enhance learning.
in one of my graduate classes, i have students evaluate their district technology plan. every single plan is supposed to have an extensive component related to the training of teachers to best use technology; however, almost every student who does this activity reports that the technology plan is not a document that appears to be followed. the schools seem to create the technology plan to fulfill state requirements and then the plan sits and gathers dust. if the plans were really followed then the training of teachers would be specifically addressed in the budget and steps would be taken to ensure that more teachers can take advantage of the millions spent on technology. sigh!
interesting tidbit from the above linked article, which is also related to my last blog entry and this speaks for itself, “. . . some colleges are finding that while students seem comfortable with e-mail, Google and downloading music — they are less familiar with technological skills they can use in the workplace, such as locating and verifying reliable online information.”
this article is similar to an an article that appeared earlier this year from a report on No Child Left Behind. and, this is as good a place as any to provide a link to the national educational technology plan, which specifically addresses the training of teachers . . . when are we going to learn? as soon as taxpayers realize their money is not being spent appropriately, perhaps.
September 13th, 2005 at 1:16 am
This is such an unfortunate reality. In this time, we should be embracing technologies and their advantages, not shying away from the change it will bring. So what if Mr. Smith’s prep hour consists of coffee and reading the newspaper. Teachers could use the time allotted to them to learn, or heaven forbid some of their own time. The fear of the unknown is really what is holding back these teachers. People don’t like change unless it is something that benifits them directly, and usually in their pocketbook. I find it offensive to the education of students that teachers feel that it is not something that would benifit thier class or their student body. Also, as taxpayers, we should be outraged. When support staff, busing and janitorial services are being scrapped and technology money is being reallocated or just not used at all, this is a large problem. The real world runs digitally, that is all there is to it. No student should be denied the ability to see technology in use.
September 15th, 2005 at 6:32 pm
I agree that it is unfortunate that educators are shying away from technology in the classroom. In the long run learning technology will help the students acheive more in the future. Educators should want to help their students acheive, thats why they got into teaching, not to hold them back by not teaching useful tools like technology. Educators should be willing to give up some of their free time to learn how to use technology in the classroom, but if not there is always their extra period that every teacher has during the school day.
September 18th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
I definetly agree with you about the annoyance of IM. When I was in highschool AIM was huge, everyone would go home and talk to eachother about eachother. The thing that makes online communication bad is that is gives people the “fortitude” to say things they’d never think of saying face to face with someone. In highshool it just leads to a lot of gossip and drama, which I guess is typical of highschool. I never really enjoyed it, I’d rather be outside doing something, talking to people, interacting yah know. But I think that’s part of the reason why kids like it; it’s open and they can be fearless. Email is definetly the best form of online communication because it takes skill to write a clear and concise message to someone. It also gives you time to think about your response and reply appropriattly.
September 18th, 2005 at 5:11 pm
I completely agree about IM and AIM as well. I do feel it is a beneficial way of staying in touch with friends and relatives, or maintaining relationships over distances, but it has its negative aspects as well. I do feel that it is a negative thing in high schools. Like many of you have said, it gives kids the power to say things to others that they do not have the courage to say in person, giving them a false sense of confidence. Also, it is easier to be hurtful, and gossip does get passed around easier. The worst thing about it is that conversations can be printed off, and unlike talking to someone in person, things that are said can be saved in print. Many times this just causes unneccesary conflict and drama.