29. December 2008 by The Advisor.

We are almost into a new year, a new semester, and a new administration. The new President-Elect has made much fanfare of his plans to increase funding to schools particularly in the area of ed tech. So, with a potential new ed tech bounty about to be bestowed on America’s schools, it’s fit to ask the question: Are the schools ready? Do they have a plan for what they will do around technology?

Most importantly, are teachers prepared and ready to use more technology? Academic research on this question would suggest otherwise.

A 2003 study by Elliot Soloway, a computer science professor at the University of Michigan who studies the effect of technology in education found that 65% of teachers said they used computers less than 15 minutes a week in their classes. More recently, a study of math and reading software in 132 poor, urban schools, conducted over four years, released by Mathematica Policy Research and SRI International last year, found that test scores didn’t improve significantly in classrooms that used the products.

Much of this can be attributed to a combination of the selection of poor ed tech products and little to no teacher professional development around effective use of the products. In many classrooms, students are using fancy new laptops to fill-in online worksheets, take online multiple choice tests, or view less than compelling online media. All of which can be done just as easily, and often more effectively,without using technology. Likewise, even if the technology is innovative in approach and compelling in design, if teachers aren’t trained on how to use it, it won’t get used.

Part of the problem here is how ed tech is purchased. Typically the sale is from publishing company or tech vendor to the the district with little involvement from teachers. In many cases, teachers are unaware that their district purchased technology for them to use. It is not uncommon for vendors to report that technology products sit unused by schools years after the purchase with access codes to the software sitting at a central office somewhere never having been distributed to the teachers who were supposed to use it.

Also, many tech products are grafted over existing curriculum rather than being part of a ground-up revision of the curriculum.  As such, they become an afterthought or an optional extra that gets dropped the minute there’s a crunch for time or resources.

The solution to this lies with the schools themselves. To be successful with technology, schools will need to rework their curriculum to deeply integrate technology into all aspects of teaching and learning in the school. Then, they will need to get very serious about extensive teacher training around technology to ensure that every teacher in the school is ready to execute on the new integrated technology approach.

The degree to which this task is embraced and fulfilled will determine if ed tech becomes an integrated part of every students learning experience or goes the way of the filmstrip.

Posted in Technology Trends, General News, Publishing Industry, Government, Lesson Plans | Print | 1 Comment »

10. November 2008 by The Advisor.

Project Tomorrow conducted its annual Speak Up survey, collecting data on the views of administrators, teachers, students, and parents on technology and education. Surprisingly, despite all the emphasis that has been placed on getting technology into the classroom, most students indicated they did not think their school was preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow.

Most administrators thought otherwise.

Students cited more restrictions on internet use, arbitrary bans on certain types of technology, and the need to “power down” (be less techy) to conform to school policy as reasons for why they feel schools are falling short. Students in particular cited mobile technology as something they would like to use more at school as a collaboration tool (much like students use them outside of school).

This last point gets at the crux of this issue. This divide is not about any particular type of technology, as much as it is about how one views technology itself. Many administrators view educational technology like textbooks, projectors, or other equipment: As a thing - something to be purchased and controlled. They purchase technology “solutions” from vendors, and then try to control how these items are used in their schools.

The students, however, view technology like pencils: Something they bring with them to help them learn. No one tries to control access to the pencil sharpener; it’s just there. Students want the technology to be “just there” too. Something they can use as a tool when needed. Not something they get limited access to as part of a controlled “tech in the classroom” action plan.

Like all generational divides, however, this issue will eventually resolve itself. For the students, time is on their side, yes it is.

Posted in Technology Trends, General News, Mobile Devices | Print | 1 Comment »