There is a NEED for PD (Professional Development)

Technology in the Classroom

    With this being my 5th year in the classroom and 4th year teaching 5th grade students, I can certainly say that utilizing technology in the classroom is vital in that it enhances the instruction and learning of students. Using different forms of technology, such as iPads, chrome books, smart boards, and projectors, allows for increased student engagement, involvement, and interest in academic content in that students are able to take an active role in their own learning when being able to use technology. Once upon a time, teachers would simply lecture and do all the talking when it came to lessons in the classroom, but now with us being in a digital age, there has been a shift in education to more student autonomy. Student autonomy allows for students to be active participants in their own learning and to make decisions and choices on how best they learn and receive information. With this being said, technology integration in the classroom is a great way for teachers to better meet the learning needs of all students. Some great technology applications to use are Google Classroom, Youtube, Flipgrid, ClassDojo, Canva, and etc. According to What Is Successful Technology Integration?, "Successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is: routine and transparent, accessible and readily available for the task at hand, and supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students to effectively reach their goals" (Edutopia, 2023). In teaching our students content and trying to help them to be academically successful, it is important to integrate technology into instruction to better routinely meet the diverse learning needs of all students.

Professional Development

    Although integrating technology in the classroom is important, teachers must first be properly trained in professional development on how to use different types of technology and applications in the classroom. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook (2017), "A successful professional development program allows a school district to prepare teachers (and in turn, students) to use technology as a natural part of the curriculum" (Frazier and Hearrington, pg. 38) There is nothing more frustrating, as a classroom teacher, than to have great technology and resources, but no idea on how to use it or how to get students started with using the technology. Although professional development can be expensive and time-consuming, it is crucial that technology coordinators take the appropriate time to plan and budget for PD so that teachers can be properly trained on technology devices and programs. Other methods of technology professional development are Youtube videos, podcasts, and online forums, which will compensate for schools that have a lack of funding or time for a technology professional to come out and conduct an in-person professional development training. No matter the method, what's most important is that teachers have opportunities to attend and receive professional development technology training.

    For new and veteran teachers, it can be exasperating to learn something new or feel as though one is being forced to incorporate something new into the classroom without proper training. It is the job of technology coordinators to ensure that teachers feel supported and heard when learning about new technology or a new program. According to Get Creative with Professional Development for Technology Integration, "Leadership should encourage a growth mindset by giving opportunities such as staff meetings and team-building time to utilize a technology integration experience. Teachers should have access to an authentic and safe setting in which they may receive suggestions and feedback. This forces the refinement and reflection process in a very low-risk environment that will allow for improvement before students experience it in the classroom" (Learning.com, 2023). Similar to how we give students time to try new things and give them room to make mistakes and learn from them- we as teachers need to be given the same courtesy when receiving professional development on new technology. 

    Although there is a huge need for technology integration in the classroom, there is also an even bigger need for professional development so that teachers can be properly trained in the technology that they are incorporating in their classroom. Once teachers have received the proper training and guidance necessary to utilize technology, then they will be able to better teach and help students to be more academically successful in the classroom.

References 

Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.

Person. (2007, November 6). What is successful technology integration? Edutopia. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

Team, L. (2023, March 24). Professional Development for Technology Integration. Learning. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

YouTube. (2012, July 25). Investing in professional development for technology and inquiry-based learning. YouTube. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

Technology Plans Do Exist....#TrueStory

What Really are Technology Plans?

    In using technology in schools, the main goal for its usage should always be to enhance the teaching, instruction, and learning for the benefit of all students. In order to have and utilize technology efficiently in schools, there must first be a technology plan in place. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook (2017), "Any school or district that wants to make sure technology expenditures have the intended impact for students and staff must have a carefully developed technology plan. This plan represents a three-to five- year road map of where the school or district wishes to go with technology" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 167). I have often heard that not having a plan at all means that it is automatically a plan to fail. In saying this, a technology plan allows for teachers, administrators, technology leaders, and stakeholders to come together and develop a plan for the technology that they want to purchase as well as the purpose that this technology will serve in the schools. When developing a technology plan, it is important to take the time to research different available resources for technology as well as to assess the technology that is already being used to see what changes need to be made. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook, "No planning process can be effective without data to support decision making" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 170). After taking the time to assess the technology in the building, look at available resources, and develop a plan based on adequate data, then the technology coordinator along with the technology team can start planning a budget for the money that will need to be spent on new technology in the classroom.

Technology Budget
    In order to provide a school with an effective technology program to enhance student learning, school administrators, stakeholders, and technology coordinators have to decide on a technology budget that will adequately fund all the necessary technology, equipment, and software. Although it is easy to think that the more something costs, the better it will be, that is not always the case. According to 7 Steps to Preparing a Technology Plan for Schools, "If the technology isn’t reliable, teachers won't use it and the program will fail.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be reliable" (Knowing Technologies, 2023). Taking the time to ensure that the technology being purchased will actually be an asset to the instruction of the teacher and the learning of the students is what matters most. Planning a technology budget is one of the main reasons why the job of being a technology coordinator can be difficult and time-consuming. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook, "It is the responsibility of the tech coordinator to create a workable first draft of the budget by successfully balancing the various needs and wants along with their related costs" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 175). A plethora of planning, communication, and time will go into planning this budget and ensuring that the right amount of technology is purchased within the school's means. Taking the time to train teachers on how to actually utilize the new technology purchased in their classrooms is also a part of the technology budget in that it is considered professional development. "Professional development strategies should ensure that teachers, school library personnel and administrators know how to effectively use the technologies described in the plan. In order to improve education and support technology-rich learning environments, start by describing the professional development strategies, addressing key questions, and reflecting on what’s worked and not worked in the past" (7 Steps to Preparing a Technology Plan for Schools, Knowing Technologies, 2023). Proper training in using reliable technology is crucial for our teachers and students to be successful in the classroom. 

So, the question remains the same- is there really such a thing as a technology plan? Yes! Technology plans do exist....#TrueStory.

References

Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.

7 tips for preparing a technology plan for Schools. Knowing Technologies. (2021, July 5). Retrieved March 15, 2023. 

Effective Technology Usage in the Classroom

Purpose of Technology in the Classroom

    As a classroom teacher that is still growing, learning, and evolving in this ministry of teaching, my goal for any lesson that I teach is for that lesson to be intentional, engaging, and meaningful to my students. Teaching ELA and social studies to 5th graders everyday can be challenging in that they are not always interested in the content, but it is my job to look for ways that I can draw in my students so that they will develop an interest in what they are learning. Utilizing technology in the classroom is a great way to increase student interest, involvement, and engagement in course content and material. According to How to Use Technology in the Classroom: Benefits and Effects, "Utilizing different types of technology in the classroom creates learners who are actively engaged with learning objectives. The implementation of technology also creates pathways for differentiated instruction to meet the unique needs of students as individual learners within a broader classroom climate" (Drexel University School of Education, n.d). When using technology in the classroom, it should not be utilized as a method to substitute for face-to-face teaching or in-person conversations when it comes to student and teacher interactions on a daily basis. The purpose of technology integration in the classroom setting is to enhance the overall instruction given by teachers in an effort to better meet the learning needs of all students.

Where to Begin with Integrating Technology?

    In an effort to effectively integrate technology in the classroom, it is important to understand that there are some steps that must take place first in this ongoing process of successful technology usage. First, instructional leaders must make an effort to integrate technology in their everyday dealings so that teachers will be more willing to follow their example. As a teacher, my students follow my lead and have an expectation for me to model things before they actually try things out for themselves. My students know that I have their best interest at heart, so they are more willing to follow my example when it comes to completing classroom tasks and trying new things. This same concept is the same for instructional leaders and teachers when it comes down to integrating technology into the classroom. According to National Center for Education Statistics, "Leadership is the single most important factor affecting the successful integration of technology. This is true at the state level and at the school level. Schools which have made the most progress are those with energetic and committed leaders" (Technology in Schools, n.d). We need our school leaders to be willing and confident to try new technology so that teachers will be more likely motivated to integrate technology in their own classrooms.

    Next, schools having a technology coordinator is crucial for the integration of technology. According to The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook (2017), “Successful technology coordinators must possess a wide range of skills and abilities in order to support and facilitate the integration of technology for digital-age teaching and learning and professional development. They must be able to provide technical support for devices and systems and manage or coordinate with others to ensure effective uses and functionality of digital tools" (Frazier and Hearrington, pg. 14). Similar to how teachers have math/reading coaches to support them with math/reading instruction, teachers also need to be supported with technology usage. It is so easy to give a teacher a new form of technology, some directions, and just to have them to figure it out on their own. But, this method is inefficient and will not ensure that technology will be utilized properly in the classroom. It is also the job of the technology coordinator to work with the instructional leaders of the school to schedule professional development for teachers to increase their knowledge in the integration of technology in the classroom. Although we are in a digital era and one would just assume that everyone is confident and knowledgeable about how to properly use and incorporate technology in the classroom, this is not always the case. When trying to plan for and establish professional development for teachers in the area of technology, technology coordinators should be aware of the Standards for Professional Learning and the ISTE Standards for Teachers (Frazier and Hearrington, 2017, pg. 39). Teachers participating in these professional developments allows them to continuously improve their knowledge of technology and better help/teach their students to be more effective technology users in the classroom.

Ways to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

    Technology can be integrated into the elementary, middle, and high school classrooms in a plethora of ways! As stated earlier, the overall purpose of integrating technology into the classroom is to enhance instruction for the betterment of students. Using online resources, programs, games, and tools can all contribute to the enhancement of instruction. According to How to Use Technology in the Classroom: Benefits and Effects, "The use of technology during whole-class instruction can foster student engagement for auditory and visual learners. Integrating simple technologies Power Points, games, internet homework assignments, or online grading systems can be difference makers in students' growth in the classroom" (Drexel University School of Education, n.d). Because technology integration in the classroom can be stressful at times when one is not confident or knowledgeable, it is important to know that effective technology integration is not something that will take place over night, but that it's a process that is well worth it for the academic benefit of students.

References

Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.

How to integrate technology in the classroom. School of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2023.

Technology in schools. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a part of the U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2023.

YouTube. (2019, November 28). Integration of technology in the classroom. YouTube. Retrieved February 14, 2023.