Do Our Teachers Even Want EdTech??
“That just won’t work here.”
“The teachers don’t want it!”
“Ha! They wouldn’t even be able to the find the power button!”
How often have we, as EdTech leaders and early adopters in our schools, heard lines like these before? It could be after coming back from a really cool conference and being incredibly excited to share some wonderful new EdTech resources with our fellow teachers, and then someone invariably responds with a negative comment about how the teachers just don’t want it. Period. End of story.
Well, a recent survey conducted in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation asked teachers across America to gauge the effectiveness of different types of education materials. When asked to evaluate the statement “Digital resources such as classroom technology and wed-based programs help my students’ academic achievement,” 44% indicated that they agreed strongly with that statement, and whopping 93% of all teachers indicated that they agreed, either strongly or somewhat! When asked to evaluate a similar statement, which indicated that the aforementioned digital resources “engage my student in learning,” again, 95% of teachers agreed, either strongly or somewhat. (Check out the infographic of responses by clicking on the image below).
While I will grant you that this data is from only one survey, the results are nonetheless striking. They indicate a level of buy in by our faculty that is not generally ascribed to them. This information should get us excited, because it points to a range of really cool possibilities for integrating technology in more meaningful ways in our schools going forward.
But at the same time, the data should be sobering.
We should be asking ourselves: Why, with the acknowledgement from teachers that technology HELPS students learn and achieve, are we not more successful at integrating EdTech in our schools? I think the missing element here (and it’s not rocket science!) is training and support. The contrasts between this data and the reality of the facts on the ground in terms of teacher technology adoption, leads me to believe that we need to redouble our efforts at outreach, support, and cultivating a culture where it is ok to experiment and fail. As the survey indicates, our teachers like EdTech. They even see it as educational valuable. But all too often, they don’t know where to start. It becomes all the more vital for us to smile, be patient, and teach technology to staff members that want to integrate EdTech, but just don’t know how to yet.
(Of course the cynical response could be “well, Jewish schools are different,” or “this survey is bunk,” etc etc. What do you think? Is it as simple as providing support? Are there deeper issues here?
-
Comment by Tina Chamak on February 27, 2012 at 6:24am -
I do think that if teachers in the classroom look at the would in which their students live in they would have to agree with the statement above. However looking at the graphic attached I notice that the teachers have more of a comfort level with what was in terms of textbooks and the traditional method of sharing information. I think that while the students are comfortable with the technology and live in the digital age, for some older teachers the transition to the web resources in theory makes sense but in practice is hard to implement because of the lack of training, and comfort with the web. I think that the teachers seem to be almost afraid of the technology instead of embracing it and will only use what the districts mandate. I feel that if there is the question of digital natives versus the traditional view and recognize the value but there is the issue of implementation and comfort.
-
Comment by Ariel Margolis on February 27, 2012 at 6:51am -
I agree with the statements mentioned by Ms. Chamak. Teachers are hesitant and will only go as far as the districts or (in the case of private schools, administrations) mandate. In addition to training and IT support, there first needs to be from the top-down and bottom-up a vision of technology for a school - what technology is useful? how will it help ALL students (gifted, Spec. Needs, reg. ed)? What resources can the school tap (e.g., most middle school students have some type of wi-fi device)? What level of freedom, risk, or playing can be done with technology by teachers? What stakeholder groups need to be brought into the discussion and trained (admin, teachers, students, parents)? How does technology impact the social skills that are taught in school? These aren't easy questions to answer but with time, patience, and collaboration, a school can develop such a vision that is inline with its mission and from there, a technology roll-out plan can be developed (what is the technology? who will train? who will be trained? how will it be evaluated?) and then technology can be incorporated into the classroom.
-
Comment by The Bearded Dog on February 27, 2012 at 9:26am -
Arrgh me hearties!
The Dog knows that most teachers are busy creatures.
Try some JIT!
Works like a charm.
Ahoy me Hearties - the horizon calls.
TBD over and out
Comment
© 2013 Created by Eliezer Jones.
You need to be a member of YU 2.0 to add comments!
Join YU 2.0