Technology Training

When contemplating the technology skills of the faculty at my school, it is from one end of the spectrum to the other. There are a handful of teachers who are at the advanced level of technology use with students and incorporating in daily lessons. Then, we have those teachers who are lucky to even turn on the computer much less enter grades into Gradebook and take attendance. The vast majority of our faculty is in the middle. I have found most are proficient in using the laptop for lesson plans, grades, and attendance but are reluctant to use the technology with the student or integrated into a lesson. These are interested in using the technology with students but just do not know how to implement it effectively. Although I believe most could do it but are scared to step out of the comfort zone.

Currently, staff development is provided after school in large group settings that are lectures. Being one of those teachers who detest the after school staff development, I rarely understand (or care) what is being lectured. Fortunately, I can usually figure out something but not all teachers are that way. Therefore, my opinion is that staff development should not be done after school, in large groups or as a lecture. In my experience, teachers would benefit more from small group, hands-on settings (even if they had to be after school). I am fortunate to have an incredible principal who understands that we (teachers) do not pay attention very well after school and he has begun scheduling staff development during half-day trainings. It does cost our school money for the substitutes to cover classes but he knows we are more likely to pay attention and use what we are being taught. Teachers are a lot like our students. We learn better in small groups and with hands-on activities. If we are teaching about a new technology program like EasyTeach, it is more beneficial for teachers to have his/her laptop available to create a file for use in the classroom. Then teachers have something to take back to the classroom and implement.

As a media specialist, I would work closely with the principal to determine how to complete technology training during the school day with half-day training sessions. Teachers would be asked to bring their county-issued laptops and ideas for a lesson they would to include technology. Along with incentives for participating in class, teachers would receive an incentive for completing a lesson to do with his/her class and another incentive for providing feedback to the media specialist about the implementation of the lesson. Teachers need to know that the trainer or person responsible for setting up the training is interested in the implementation not just attendance to the training. Attending the training is a waste of time if there is no implementation. Which happens far too often in my opinion.

Another way I would like to implement technology training is through independent modules based on the needs of teachers. I would ask faculty to rate their use of various pieces of technology. From that, I would create independent modules with podcasts for faculty to facilitate themselves. Of course, I would be available for assistance as needed. This allows the faculty to work through a module that is useful for them. Teaching the entire faculty about Microsoft Office 2007 may be useless to about 80% of the staff. But 20% of the staff may need assistance. These independent modules allow teachers to differentiate their own technology learning.

DO’s: quick tip sheet (1 page), incentives (before, during and after staff development), skills assessment of faculty, hands-on, small groups

DON’Ts: training after school (if possible), lectures, large groups

I was shocked to read an article in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/22/technology/22EDUCATION.html) in which “NEA recommends that schools devote 40 percent of their technology budgets to teacher training” although, only 17% was used in 1999-2000 the articles states. Also, in this article there is a reference to buying equipment because it is easier to show where the money went. I think this is so true. Teachers are worried about test scores that we don’t always think about using the technology to get us there. I believe now is the time we stop spending so much money on the equipment and begin spending the money teaching teachers how to effectively use the equipment we have effectively.