Common Misconception #2 - New Teachers and Technology

Yesterday I wrote about the common misconception that Integrating Technology into Education is the Answer to Improving Test Scores.  I was very pleased with my initial post in my series about the Common Misconceptions about Integrating Technology in Education.  Today, we take a different approach.  This has been something I have heard not just while working as a Technology Integration Specialist, but also as a young teacher.

Common Misconception #2 - New Teachers Have a Better Understanding of How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

There is a trend out there by teachers, administrators, and districts that assumes that younger/newer teachers have a better understanding of technology and how to integrate it into the classroom.  Sure, younger/newer teachers MIGHT have a better understanding of technology (such as hooking up equipment, using Word, Power Point and Excel), but as far as INTEGRATING it into the classroom, that most likely, in most districts, is not true.

I am just 7 years removed from finishing my college degree and earning my teaching certificate.  Most of the resources and equipment that we are implementing in schools today did not exist.  I had ONE class in college where I learned how to use Power Point, Word, and Excel.  Me personally, I forced myself to play around with and learn more than those once I started teaching. 

The problem is that most education programs in college DO NOT teach students how to use Smart Boards, Airliners, Documents Cameras, Clicker Systems, FLIP and Digital Cameras; oh, and Web 2.0 as well.  It is ASSUMED they know how, or because they are younger they will learn it on there own.  That is not true for many new teachers out there.  Not only do teachers not learn about this technology, they don't learn ways to use it with their students.

College students in their undergraduate education courses NEED a "Technology Integration in Education" course, and maybe more than one.  I know that there are more Master's programs available today, but that is AFTER being in the classroom.  Is it just me, or does it seem that is doing things backwards?  Technology Integration is part of New Teacher Standards, so shouldn't there be classes about how to integrate technology?  It seems that Appalachian State University and Kansas State University are on the right track.  Are other universities following suit?  Do you know of some, link to them in the comments section.

I am going to throw out a number, 20%.  That is the number of new teachers that I think enter the education workforce with knowledge about many of the tools mentioned above as well as Web 2.0 resources.  Most however do not have knowledge of ways to integrate them into the classroom.  Knowing what they are does give them an advantage, but I think we are still 5-10 years away from new teachers having an understanding of the tools and how to integrate them in the classroom.

State and Local Districts are pouring tons of $$$$ into technology in schools, and often, that technology sits in classrooms and collects dust because new and current teachers have not had training on how to use the tools because it takes a back seat to other Professional Development and curriculum.  Maybe it is just me, but isn't it about time that we FOCUS MORE on how to MERGE curriculum and technology resources together?

At the same time you have tons of school districts across the country that are BLOCKING access to Web 2.0 tools, therefore never providing new teachers an opportunity to use them and learn how to integrate them in the classroom, which would definitely be one way to help to alleviate this common misconception.

It is important for current educators to not ASSUME that new teachers have a foundation on integrating technology.  You will find that most new teachers that "help" current teachers are actually learning it as they go, not necessarily that they had previous knowledge.  When I was asked to help as a "new" teacher, I was learning it as I went.  In a way I was adding to the common misconception that I knew how to use technology.  I didn't; I learned on the fly.

What about your school building?  Do experienced teachers assume new teachers know about technology and how to use it?

Need some more information, here are some studies I came across that discusses some aspects of this Common Misconception:
1.) Can Teacher Technology Integration Training Alone Lead to High Levels of Technology Integration? A Qualitative Look at Teachers’ Technology Integration after State Mandated Technology Training

2.) Integrating Digital Learning Objects in the Classroom: A Need for Educational Leadership

3.) Technology Mentor Fellowship Program: A Technology Integration Professional Development Model for Classroom Teachers.

Common Misconception #1 - Technology Integration is the Answer to Improving Test Scores

Yesterday I decided that I wanted to create a blog series about the 8 Common Misconceptions about Integrating Technology in Education.  Today will be the first entry in the series.  I can't promise that each future entry will appear daily as well.  School is ending, so not sure the type of time I will have at home, but I am hoping working Summer School will afford me some opportunities.

Common Misconception #1

Technology Integration is THE ANSWER to Improving Test Scores.

Technology in itself is NOT THE ANSWER to improving test scores.  Proper integration of technology in schools can (and will) have a profound effect on student learning.  The important factor to understand is that it is the teachers, students, administrators, and specialists who utilize the technology effectively and efficiently that will help to improve test scores. 

Technology will never replace quality teaching.  Albert Einstein said that the invention of video would one day replace teachers because we could just record our lessons.  He was not correct, because you still have to have quality instruction to go along with that technology.  Many teachers do good things in their rooms without ever utilizing technology.  What technology can do (when used properly) is move those good things teachers are doing, to great things teachers are doing.

Technology Integration is still a new phenomenon.  It was just 8 years ago that plugging in an overhead projector and a VCR was considered technology integration.  Well we are WAY past that.  We won't know the true impact of technology integration on test scores for 5-10 more years, in my opinion.  But, when students are talking about school and technology like THIS and like THIS, I think it would be safe to assume schools would see an improvement in test scores.

Remember that utilizing technology with your students makes learning much more personal, pertinent, and long lasting because it is no longer a poster board you tear off your wall at the end of the year; it is a website, glog, story, poem, video, etc that is published for more than just visitors to your classroom to see.

There are multiple factors that attribute to the success of technology integration to improve test scores. For example:

1.) A properly trained and passionate Technology Integration Specialist or Technology Resource Teacher who works with staff to utilize technology.
2.) Quality Professional Development where teachers get HANDS ON use of the technology
3.) Quality and/or Common planning time where departments can meet and discuss ways to utilize the technology in their classroom as part of lessons.
4.) Available one on one time for TIS/TRT to work with teachers
5.) An explanation of the benefits of integrating technology in education to administrators, teachers AND students.
6.) Going from "None to Ton" is not the answer either. It is important to mix up what you integrate, how much you integrate, and how you integrate technology.
7.) Use of the technology by Administrators showcasing ways they are integrating technology (as simple as keeping a blog). Administrators MUST buy in and support technology integration for it to trickle down to teachers.

Is your school/district integrating technology? Is your school/district utilizing these factors?

I am sure there are others.  What are your thoughts?  I don't claim to be an expert, just someone who is discussing what he has seen, heard, and read over the past year.

My First Blog Series - Common Misconceptions

I have been wanting to start a blog "series."  One that centers on a specific topic and will have a post (hopefully daily) related to that topic.  My new job this year as a TIS (Technology Integration Specialist) has opened my eyes to a ton of ideas and thoughts about the common misconceptions of technology integration that we face in education.  Technology is a growing tool in education.  One that we as educators need to have a better grasp of in order to effectively integrate it into our classrooms.  So, what are those common misconceptions?

8 Common Misconceptions about Technology Integration in Education

1.) Technology integration is THE ANSWER to improving test scores.

2.) New teachers have a better understanding of how to integrate technology integration in schools.

3.) Current teachers have no desire to learn how to integrate technology in their classrooms.

4.) Integrating technology is too expensive for my school to afford.

5.) I don't have time to learn how to integrate technology in the classroom.

6.) There can't possibly be any technology to integrate in the subject matter that I teach.

7.) I have to know EVERYTHING about the technology before I can integrate it.

8.) My students have a better understanding of the technology, and that is embarrassing.


What I plan to do is write a post about each of these common misconceptions.  If you have an article, blog post, or experience that you would like me to share in my postings, please share a link with me so that I can include it.  You can leave it in the comment section or Tweet me a link on Twitter.

Have you experienced or even thought about these common misconceptions yourself?

Twitter Tweecap - Final May Edition

Kind of a busy week, so I did not get to check Twitter as often, so this list is rather short, but it still some really useful links and resources that were shared.

1.) Rachel's Challenge - Not sure if you have heard of this.  It is a program that can be held in your local middle or high school where they talk about Rachel Scott, the first student killed in Columbine shooting.  She wrote a paper about a "Chain Reaction of Kindness."  If you are looking for a great assembly, this seems to be one worth looking into.

2.) From the iLearn Technology Blog, Edistorm, another site like Wallwisher.

3.) Math teachers always have a hard time expressing writing, well, here is a site, Using Writing in Mathematics that aims to help Math teachers with writing.

4.) The future of LED Screens?  As thin as a piece of Hair - Sony's Flexible OLED

5.) Gickr, make your own animation, from the Learning 2.0 Blog

I told you it was a short list!

Will be working on a Reflection post about my first year as a TIS next week.  Keep an eye out for it!

NextUp

Okay, I have to thank Phillip Cummings for providing me this link. I am really intrigued about ways to use this in education.  The idea behind NextUp is that you enter in the topic that you are covering, provide a time limit (MM:SS) and then it will countdown to help keep you on task.  NextUp would be a great tool for those teachers that are struggling with time management.

As mentioned in his Tweet, NextUp would be a great way to keep time during a faculty meeting or even during a professional development.  It could also be used in the classroom as well.  One thing I remember early in education is always give students a certain amount of time to get things done.  Don't leave time open ended.  You could put your entire lesson for the day on this and use it to help you stay on task.  It would be a great way to keep time during a quiz or test, or while giving students a certain amount of time to work on a project, have a discussion, give free time for good behavior, etc. 

I really think this would be a beneficial tool for educators.