Since
technology is ever-changing, 21st century teaching and learning continues
to evolve into a melting pot of technological advances. These advances place
school administrators in the hot seat regarding technology integration. They
are given the task of future proofing their schools when integrating technology
for 21st century teaching and learning. According to Whitehead,
Jensen, & Boschee (2013), “Today’s school leaders have minimal guidance when
facing harsh budgets. Decisions dealing with economic conditions are generally
represented by two distinct lines of thought. First, there is the response to
cutback leadership or management. Second, there is a move toward crisis
management such as advocating slashing budgets, reducing programs, and
eliminating teachers and staff. Given these two limited options, school leaders
need to explore all possibilities if they are to accommodate tomorrow’s technology”
(pg. 170).
As
stated in my previous blog regarding technology integration, it is important to
establish a shared vision and identify and nurture your teacher leaders in
order to reap the benefits of effective professional development. Future
proofing a school requires a shared vision with a technology plan. This plan
outlines the technological needs of the school with goals, action steps, and
benchmarks. This plan is an administrator’s/technology team’s blue print that
can be used to leverage funds and support from businesses and the community.
This
support can be used to make sure that the school’s infrastructure is
interoperable for different devices. Bruce (2017) states, “
Additionally,
future proofing a school requires teacher leaders who will not only provide
professional development for other teachers but also provide training to students.
Students are digital natives who come to our classes using different devices;
however, most of them have not been exposed to using the devices in a manner
needed to master the Student ISTE Standards. Bruce (2017) also states, “If
students are unfamiliar with the user interface of a device, it can make
classroom operations clunky, and dampen their enthusiasm with using the device.
Teachers often go through training to learn to use devices that have their own
interface, but students don’t receive that training; this creates a classroom
environment centered on the teachers using technology, and students watching,
which does little to solve the issue of classroom engagement, because while
some digital content can be incorporated, students can’t have their own
interaction with it”.
For educators to effectively prepare students, they must be taught using the Student ISTE Standards. This means educators must teach student how to use the devices, so they become independent learners. Individualized instruction will enable students to work at their own pace and education is no longer a one size fits all approach. The two videos below are examples of two future proofed schools where students are independent learners.
For educators to effectively prepare students, they must be taught using the Student ISTE Standards. This means educators must teach student how to use the devices, so they become independent learners. Individualized instruction will enable students to work at their own pace and education is no longer a one size fits all approach. The two videos below are examples of two future proofed schools where students are independent learners.
References
Bruce,
B. (2017). The 5 components of a future-proofed technology initiative. Retrieved
from https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/04/12/components-future-technology/.
Lincoln
elementary future ready school [Video] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1IvMu7mnG0.
What
will schools look like in the future? [Video] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZlgYiXzu58.
Whitehead, B.M., Jensen,
D., Boschee, F. (2013). Planning for
Technology: A guide for school administrators, technology coordinators, and
curriculum leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Lisa, you always have such wonderful insight. You are focused right on a key factor, having technology does not change anything if it is not skillfully implemented into the curriculum. So schools must be focused on providing the planning and training for technology to be used effectively. In one study conducted by McKnight, O'Malley et al. (2016) conveyed that "the promise of technology can transform learning." As educators, we must always consider the knowledge of everyone using a new technology tool in order to implement technology effectively. Technology should be given to students in the same manner as a driving lessons. Teachers should be the copilot to direct the proper effective usage. Unfortunately, technology is just thrown at students as a replacement for meaningless activities. It should be incorporated into the learning process thoughtfully. I know teachers and students need persistent professional development in the area of integrating technology effectively. Oftentimes, I think this is a major roadblock for teachers using it. They feel as if they do not how to use it properly to support student learning or they do not possess the knowledge or skills about the technology to integrate it into lessons. Districts and schools sometimes fail us by not providing the PD to cover teacher needs where technology is concerned. We must always look to proper training needs when planning for technology purchases and when planning for classroom activities. Our students need the knowledge and skills to succeed in school, college and careers. Great Blog post!
ReplyDeleteMcKnight, K., O'Malley, K., Ruzic, R., Franey,J., Horsely, M., & Bassett, K. (2016). Teaching in a digital age: How educators use technology to improve student learning. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1143/6d1f5dd47529b666a1c4bfdd720d681305b8.pdf
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your take on future proofing our schools. I really enjoyed the video, What schools will look like in the future? (FreeThink, 2016). His reference to it being a marathon and not a race is key to future proofing schools. Technology is ever changing! As a result our technology plans should be updated regularly and adjusted to fit the needs of our students and the technological opportunities currently available. According to Whitehead, Jensen, and Boschee (2013), we should create a plan where technology is not just a tool for learning, but is interwoven into the learning and educational experience.
References
[Freethink]. (2016, December 19). What will schools look like in the future? [Video] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZlgYiXzu58.
Whitehead, B.M., Jensen, D., & Boschee, F. (2013). Planning for Technology: A guide for school administrators, technology coordinators, and curriculum leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Lisa, excellent point about winning the battle for the classroom. Educators should take note of the fact that Windows, Google, and Apple all share some compatibility with the others’ documents. These tech giants recognize that people have access to and use different devices and software. Thus, the need for flexibility. We would do well to follow their example.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as more and more educators begin to see the need for educational technology and the role it plays in students daily lives, a big part of future proofing must be preparing teachers. In a resent survey conducted by Promethean (2018), “over 50% of educators believe that technology is now integral to everyday life, so they believe it should be more of a priority in education” (p. 1). As more teachers are beginning to embrace the use of technolgy in the classroom, we must be sure they are prepared to do so.
References
Promethean (2018, November). What are the most future-proof school educational technology
investments? Retrieved from https://resourced.prometheanworld.com/future-proof-technology-investments