Technology
Training in Schools
There are about
50 teachers at the elementary school where I work. Although the district has now mandated that
we perform a number of work related issues, such as reporting an absence or
completing leave forms on line, we still have a number of teachers or support
staff members who struggle with performing basic tasks such as this. Some people do not see or think about this as technology, but when I see staff struggling to complete these forms on-line, it really strikes me how low some of the staff's level of technology use really is. At the end of the school year last year,
every teacher, faculty and/or staff member had to take a technology
assessment. The purpose was primarily to
see the level of our technology skills, but also to see what kinds of on-site
training was needed.
The majority of
the technology training at my school is provided via a hands-on approach and
focuses a great deal on instructional technology in the classroom. Most of the training is done during after
school training sessions at the school level.
However, occasionally, district mandated trainings also take place
during planning days or sometimes after school, and our district also has ongoing
Web-based training. With these sessions,
we must complete the on-line training and then take a survey.
One particular
approach that I find productive is when the sessions are geared towards working
with teachers in specific departments or
grade levels on how to integrate multimedia presentations and electronic
content into everyday teaching. This is
helpful because it is quite different to teach a 5th grade class
opposed to a kindergarten class. It has
also worked to have teachers create online homework sites and web pages to
reinforce and expand classroom teaching and learning experiences as well as a way
to keep parents informed.
One of the main problems that I see in having productive
technology staff developments is not having consistency or ongoing training and
coaching. I would improve this by
keeping the initial assessments in place as well as varying the training by having
both on-line and hands-on training available.
However, I would have a dedicated date each month for technology
training. For example, one Tuesday each month could be dedicated to technology
professional development. I would see
what technology works with our curriculum, and further enhance how to use
technology to support dual language learning since our school is continuing to
build our IB program.
The technology training has many strong points at my
school. In comparison to some of the
other schools where I spoke to colleagues in the same district, my school is
making the effort to train teachers and faculty and/or staff in technology
whereas some schools are not focused on technology training at all or it is
very minimal. However, realizing that
all teachers do not have the same needs will be the biggest challenge in
working towards differentiating the technology training.
I agree with you that it is difficult to see another teacher struggle with technology. I attribute this to a lack of training as well as a lack of time or planning for the teacher to work on such much-needed skills. It seems like both your school and district are quite proactive with training, specifically with their attention to both in-person and web-based training. Very impressive, especially when compared to what is (and is not) offered in other districts.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a great point that technology instruction should be divided among different grade levels/departments since teachers in different grade levels would ideally use different technology tools to best suit their particular students. I think that media specialists should definitely attend as many of these sessions as possible as they are often the ones called when technology issues arise.
Yes, this struggle with technology is difficult to see. Many of our veteran teachers are so valuable because their teaching pedagogy is strong. Through numerous years of experience they have proven mastery of content, classroom management and standardized tests. Yet, many still struggle with sending an email with an attachment or manipulating an Excel spreadsheet. They are in constant need of professional development relating to technology. It becomes difficult to have staff-wide trainings when a media specialist cannot possibly know where everyone's deficiencies lie. You mentioned differentiating technology trainings; that would be ideal, and I agree with the idea. I wonder how many different sessions a media specialist can provide while still performing other tasks. I also like that you've designated a day each month to provide such training. Teachers could provide basic skills to teachers who may be struggling in those areas. They should not be penalized because they don't make consistent use of the their Promethean board or know how to create an assessment online. I'm delighted to hear that your school is making an effort to provide technology training; adversely, my school provides training in sporadic doses and there is little follow-up. Technology training should be consistent and targeted to the needs of the teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think teachers are just like students when they are learning...they want the learning to be relevant. So I think your idea about breaking training down by grade level or department is wonderful. If teachers can have something to take away that they can implement immediately in the classroom, they will use it. Over the years we have offered technology training in various ways. Tech Talk Tuesday was offered monthly and targeted an issue teachers had identified in a school wide survey. Monday Media Minute was a teaser series...each Monday via email we created a 1 minute teaser about a Web 2.0 tool that would be useful in the classroom and invited teachers to come see us for more information. Now, monthly we are providing professional learning incorporating the NETS standards and teacher are getting PLU credits for attending. The key, I think, is that the technology needs to address a need. And, it helps if there is support from administration to foster new technology use by veteran, as well as new teachers.
ReplyDeleteKristie, I agree with your analysis of the professional development sessions on technology. Most administrations still do not plan consistent and ongoing training and coaching. I recently completed my Graduate Capstone on using Wikis as a method to facilitate professional learning communities. The studies I read support your observation. Acquiring technology skills can be difficult because of inconsistent skill development opportunities with the technology and no follow-up with coaches. I believe Wikis help keep the discussion open between sessions. Creating effective technology staff development sessions is challenging. I have lead several professional learning cohorts and an ongoing discussion is important. Topics that are “hot and cold” are ineffective in my opionion. I think you are on the right track with your needs assessment of your school. Keep your eyes open for ways you can lead the technology learning initiative. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your idea of differentiating the technology training. It is equally frustrating to feel like the instructor is moving too quickly as it is to be bored because you already know how to use a particular program. Differentiation has been the buzz word for years now. We want to challenge our above grade level learners while giving remediation instruction to below grade level performers. If we recognize the need for differentiation in the classroom, why not when teaching our teachers? I think most teachers would be more open to instruction if the instruction was designed to fit their needs. We just received a schedule of required technology training. Today, we had training about the resources available through Georgia Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). I didn’t know about this so I benefited from the training. Later one of our sessions is on Edmodo, which I did for my tech tip assignment. I don’t think I really need to attend, but it is mandatory. My time could be better spent. Great idea and blog!
ReplyDeleteI am an advocate of hands-on/minds-on training such as the sessions you describe in your post. I find it to be challenging to remember all the steps to take to complete a task when it is multifaceted. I also appreciate the fact that teachers are being TRAINED on how and when to implement technology into their content. I am certain your student engagement level has increased significantly.
ReplyDelete