Activity Log:
February 18: Downloaded pod cast, posted comments on three classmates’ blogs. Answered the blog questions for session 6.
Barriers to Technology Integration
The barriers to technology integration that I have seen and experienced first hand are the minimal or substandard training programs that are in place to train and support personnel in new technology. I have had the distinct honor [sic] of being involved (actually my boss didn’t want to waste her time so she sent me) in deciding which software would be most useful to help us better streamline our benefits processing and completing state mandated monthly reports with detailed information regarding benefits. The software they chose (please keep in mind my opinion did not matter) was the most expensive of the three that were presented and also the most complex to use. Once the software was installed (months later) we had a two hour training session done in our breakroom, during the training and amid the coffemaker chirping, the microwave zapping, the fridge humming and other personnel enjoying their 15-minute break (lets be honest, when does 15 minutes mean anything less than 30) we were trained on how to use the software to gather data from one platform and compile it all in one neat little package. What happened after that one and only training session? I made the mistake of learning the technology and so I became the unofficial trainer, without all the pesky extras like more pay, of course. It seems that districts and other public businesses feel that they can skimp on funding for training and support and buy more expensive technology instead.
What I feel would be a solution or at least a stop-gap measure would be to understand that a technology budget needs to include funds for the technology and for training and personnel support. I am a big believer in training, as long as it makes sense.
Great blog!
I feel your frustration…. I previously mentioned in my blog, how I had all new technology put in my classroom (summer of 2007) smart board, LCD protector, smart slay, etc… There are gadgets that I do not even know what they are! I think I have a scanner, microphone, and who knows what else was placed in the classroom. I only received about 35 to 45 minutes of training for the smart board. And if you want to learn how I am taking the bull by the horns read my blog…..
Noemi/Mimi
You are right about the level of value placed on training. In succesful busnesses a high value is placed on training. Think about the burger giants. They spend lots of time on training to make sure the service is precise and uniform. A fat burger in California, tastes the same and is bagged and wrapped the same as one in New Jersey.
I remember when I was fresh out of tech school, I went to work for a major communications company. I was immediately placed in a training program before I even touched any equipment. So maybe at some point the importance of training will carry over into our field.
McKinley
I agree with you, training others to use the technology is very important, especially those who know little or nothing about it. I think it would be a waste to have an expensive technology with no one knowing how to operate it!
I agree, the most expensive is not always the best for the situation. I teach drafting and I equate it to AotoCAD. It is probably the best or close too the best drafting program out there but it is more complicated compared to other programs, but it can also do more than the other simpler programs. AutoCAD is geared for the professional that spends most of an 8 hour day using the program. Except for teachers in my situation that work and teach in the subject so they know it well, teachers just dont use computer programs for a large portion of the day. Most teachers are not high end users of any program except possily grading programs so a decision to buy the most expensive program is probably a knee jerk reaction. Great blog.
I totally agree with you when you say that the district thinks they can cut training costs and buy more expensive equipment not thinking of how personnel will learn how to utilize it. For example, my district bought math books this year. Like you, our vote didn’t count and they bought the worse possible books, with so many mistakes. Why they bought them is still a mystery. They did not think their choice all the way through and consider the teachers who didn’t vote for these books. And trust me I am in your position and going through the same thing. Since I’m not afraid of technology, whenever anything technology comes up, problem or training, I get volunteered for the job. I think we need to start a support group! No one will be the leader!
Well, I guess everyone thinks that training is the issue, most did not live in my neighborhoods, but then again, im not a teacher, but I still dont see this technology in my son’s school, must be a district thing. Good post
I had a similar situation when we got a one time only training on how to use English in a Flash. The training was so short and incomplete. Then it took a year after the training to get it installed. By that time, I had forgotten how to use the program. What a disappointment! When I tried to get help fromt the tech guys they themselves did not know how to use either.
Angelica, I appreciate that you say it like you see it. If technology is suppose to be so crucial to the classroom, and thus I would assume to student success, I wonder why it is not part of the credentialing process these days? In my opinion, technology is not the silver bullet it is made out to be; at least as it is currently being used in a lot of our environments (as referenced in the comments). That saying “ready fire aim” comes to mind. I think that is where we have an opportunity. Anytime we are asked for recommendations, suggestions or feedback on software selection, I think the first thing we should suggest is that we plan on spending as much money on acquisition(research and testing) and training as we do on software. I know that the reception will not be warm, but we need to start having conversations about the things that matter. Just my two cents
Bill K