eTIPS Ed Tech Integration and Implementation Principles - Thoughts

Yes, Yes, Yes. I totally agree with the points that Sara Dexter is making about technology integration. Technology integration is about how the teacher will use the technology to advance learning goals AND what the school/district must do in regard to technical and instructional support. Technology must add value to the instructional process or there is no sense in using it in the classroom. I did my Master's project almost 12 years ago on Integrating Technology into Education. Since then new technologies have been developed and more computers are in classrooms and schools but for teachers, finding the time and support needed to learn, plan, evaluate, test and collaborate on technology integration is still a struggle.
Sara Dexter says that "Technology use is linked to larger goals and outcomes at the grade level, department, school, district or state level. Processes for selecting and purchasing technology are linked to these curricular goals." I agree that for technology to work effectively in an educational setting there should be a targeted, comprehensive and integrated plan for technology use, but I think that in reality schools and districts have conflicting priorities and philosophies when it comes to technology. I have been in many school districts in Connecticut and New York and I find that teachers often act independently when it comes to selecting technology. Due to many factors such as prior experience with technology, age and subject matter teachers may not be on the same page as their peers so the technology they might be comfortable with could be something that their peers find too difficult to use or too simplistic for their students. If teachers within a school do agree on a technology, I have also seen principals experience difficulty getting the request approved by the district not because the technology fails to help students meet learning objectives but because other schools in the district are not ready for the technology. There is a standard across schools that is being enforced. When districts do lead the technology charge there seems to be a minimum level of education and support provided to the teachers who will be using the technology. Ask teachers if they feel they have been given enough training and support for SmartBoards.
The good news is that Sara Dexter gets it right. Effective technology requires it be targeted to meet learning objectives, that it add value to the classroom and that it be used to assist in evaluating student development. It must be championed by the school/district/state with training and support. The bad news is that I fear that until the public education funding model is altered, integration of technology into the curriculum will continue to be subject to budget constraints (as are many other things) and consequently only be done by creative and technology savvy teachers who are resourceful and do not require a great deal of support from the district. I live in constant hope that technology integration will become an easier and more enriching process for all because the benefits can be so great. (Post 1)