The
technology integrator has a lot of responsibilities. Administration, teachers,
students, and parents may all have different expectations regarding technology
integration in the classroom. The technology integrator needs to be able to
gauge the level at which all the different community members embrace technology
and they need to advocate for, coordinate, and provide professional development
in technology accordingly.
Professional
development in technology is extremely important. Technology has advanced
rapidly, including in the world of education, and some teachers are not
comfortable using it in their classroom at all. They need training so that they
can educate their students in the most effective way possible. “Expectations
for graduates entering the job market have changed considerably” (Meltzer,
2012, p. 2). The U.S. Department of Education has even created a National
Education Technology Plan – a product of the Framework for 21st
Century Learning (Meltzer, 2012, p. 3). With all of this coming down the
pipeline, it is becoming impossible to ignore the need for professional
development in technology. Technology is only going to continue to advance.
Students are expected to be competent with technology. Teachers need to be able
to model that.
Professional
development in technology should not end with instructions on how to use a
technology tool or software. Educators must also explore the “pedagogical
principles that will guide their use of technology for teaching and learning” (Okojie, Olinzock, & Okojie-Boulder). If teachers “perceive technology in education as part of
the pedagogical process,” they will use technology in a more meaningful way
(Okojie et al.).
When
trying to implement technology programs and trainings that not only teach
educators how to use technology, but also how to use it effectively, schools
and the technology integration specialist are sometimes faced with challenges.
When the same old methods are “used to train teachers in employing technology,
the end result is often frustration, negative attitudes, and a sentiment of
‘this too shall pass’” (Meltzer, 2012, p. 3). Not all teachers have enough of a
knowledge base to learn about technology the same way they’ve learned about other
aspects of education. A new approach for professional development in technology
is required to really help teachers. Sarah T. Meltzer’s book Professional Development in Technology
provides just that – a new, step-by-step approach.
References
Meltzer,
S. (2012). Professional Development in
Technology. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.
Okojie, M., Olinzock, A., & Okojie-Boulder,
T. The Pedagogy of Technology Integration. The Journal of Technology Studies. Retrieved
from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v32/ v32n2/okojie.html.
