It seems that the theme of faculty training is the key of the positive technology experience … for faculty and students. A major goal of technology needs to be training. The training of faculty needs to be in a time and cost efficient manner. If training is solely in a technical manner we lead the teacher astray and they may miss the point of enhancing student learning.

Technology change is rapid and to expect faculty to keep up is unrealistic. So how can the upgrading of tech skills and increase without reducing time for teachers to focus on their discipline, teaching, and research activities?

1. Emphasize good teaching, not good technology. Promote and teach “pedagogy-based” technology workshops, which focus on good teaching practices and on the design and implementation of technology-mediated courses. Remember to keep the main thing, the main thing … good solid teaching. Develop a team of tech leaders to help solve the “tech problems” within the schools. It not only empowers the schools to take control of their technology, but also allows the Tech Department more time for Integration. A technology department needs to put “student engagement” and “professional development for teachers” at the top of their priorities.

2. Focus training on application not construction. Help the teacher to understand how a given program may help enhance their presentation.

3. Make product development a team effort. Develop a tech plan that is based on the needs of the teachers and students. Allow the teacher to focus on what they do best and have the technology facilitators do what they do best, help the teacher choose the appropriate technology to use for presentation.

4. Bring more training to the teacher, not the teacher to the training. We already personalize student learning by differentiating our teaching styles. If training is personalized and tailored for each teacher what will occur is more effective technology integration along with more meaningful learning by the student. Create teams of teachers that meet for professional development in technology on a regular basis.

5. Celebrate the success stories of teachers’ use of technology in the classroom. Spread the word and encourage more creativity and the sharing of ideas. I am hoping to document some neat tech integration on my new blog, iEduTek, Innovative Educators Using Technology. Another way is to sponsor a mini-conference highlighting teachers sharing their ideas and work with other teachers … your own mini tech conference.

6. Find some money to create “grants”. These can be given in a competitive manner to encourage growth (i.e., teachers “compete for the resources by providing evidence of their commitment and implementation of technology. Not many of us have unlimited resources to work with. Those who really want to push the envelope will be able to be rewarded. If there’s not enough money, go find more.

Many thanks to the many who contributed information for this blog. A special thanks to David Diaz of UNC and Shawn Nutting (K12Online07) in his podcast “Creating a Paradigm Shift in Technology”.

Ouch … technology used as a punishment is as bad as making a kid do push-ups in Phys Ed class as a punishment. One of the first things we need to learn is to not use a technology activity as a punishment OR reward. Once we begin to do that we begin to take away the opportunity for a student to learn … and that’s what education is about. Everyone should get a chance, since technology activities are part of the student’s education.

Another downfall of technology comes when it is used in the hands of the wrong person … the teacher. Wait did I say teacher? Yes, but let’s look at the teacher. Gabie Smith wrote:
“The “bad” side of technology use in the classroom became evident when students described ways in which faculty members are ineffective in their use of technology. One surprisingly common response was that faculty members “speed up” or go too fast when using computer-enhanced technology (such as power-point presentations or internet resources). In fact, 36.8 % of the responses to this survey item mentioned faculty speeding up the pace of their teaching.”

Where is this leading to? I’m thinking it’s headed to the traditional teacher. Hmm… maybe it’s more the traditional leaders of our schools? An example, our CFO in charge of hiring the next tech director told me he would like to hire someone from Price Waterhouse for the job. I would suggest that a school needs an educator with a vision who understands what is needed, can develop a plan and lead where no man has gone before! (Sorry, got carried away). Then real change and learning can happen.
But how do we cause them to shift in the traditional administrators and teachers thinking?
If classroom technology integration is to be successful, leaders and teachers in a school should possess similar beliefs about the availability and nature of the school-based support, resources, professional development, vision, and incentives necessary to encourage change within a school environment.

So now what, in part one we saw the undeniable statistics before us of teens today. They are learning in a new way … and what about the future. Today’s 10 and 11 years olds are the first generation to NOT know the internet (well it started when they were born). They are new breed of animal, will the “old school” communicate what they need to know?

• Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004.
• 28% of online teens have blogs.
• 39% of online teens share their own artistic creations online.
• Content creation is not just about sharing creative output; it is about participating in conversations fueled by the content.
• 66% of teens with social network profiles restrict access.
• Social network sites (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) are the primary means of communication.
• Email is selected only as a last resort to stay in touch with friends.

With the advent of the super cell phone, communication will continue to change. Why? Nearly 63% of all teens now have a cell phone. Look at the following trends!

• 70% talk daily with friends on a cell phone.
• 60% send text messsages daily
• 54% instant message
• 47% send messages over social network sites
• 46% talk to friends on a landline phone
• 35% spend time with friends in person daily
• 22% send email every day to friends

Pew Internet and American Life Project