Vision
Technology has experienced a renaissance in school districts across the nation over the last decade. Lower costs of devices, increasing internet speeds, and software built for education has dramatically improved the effective integration of technology in the classroom.
Technology in the classroom needs to be treated as an additional, yet powerful tool that teachers can use to increase student achievement, engagement, and motivation. It allows students to interact and collaborate with fellow students and community members outside a school’s walls. Teachers will continue to make technology malleable and adapt it to their instructional needs, and it is the role of instructional technologists to support, collaborate, and coteach with teachers.
Technology is an ever changing part of our daily lives. Teachers will adapt technology to their classroom in ways that best fits their needs, but instructional technologists need to be help vet and filter resources for teachers to maximize the effectiveness of technology in the classroom instead of choosing a program because it is full of promises but lacks substance. That is why it is important for instructional technologists to work with teachers to provide a common foundation for teachers in their school(s) or school system through asynchronous, whole group, and one on one professional development. They also need to be up to date on major changes and shifts in educational technology (Knight, 2007).
Due to the ever evolving nature of technology, technology in schools should be implemented incrementally and deliberately. If changes in technology are conducted too quickly, then coaches will experience stiff resistance from their stakeholders. Instead, it is important to involve stakeholders in the change process, develop a common technology curriculum for the school or preferably district, and schedule time to support teachers to enhance their skills and remedy any deficiencies (Creighton, 2003).
Creighton, T. (2003). The Principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Knight, J. (2007). Instructional Coaching: A Partnership Approach to Improving Instruction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.