Training Teachers to use technology in the classroom

According to the article, lack of teacher training is the major obstacle that needs to be overcome for effective technology use in the classroom. Sadly, research shows that most school districts spend less than 15 percent of their technology budgets on teacher training and development. Although curriculum taught in the classroom includes requires children become proficient in technology in a fast growing global world. Teachers struggle with teaching technology due to the fact that they are not properly trained in it themselves.
With both lack of time and training teachers are finding themselves in quite the quagmire as they search for education for technology. Many teachers feel the need to be trained off site so that they will not have the diversion of their students to contend with. Lack of funding and the teachers inability to motivate themselves to do the training outside of the normal work day are other factors that contribute to lack of training.
Many programs to support educators are flexible and are offered on-line. It seems that teachers need to understand that professional development does not stop when the school day ends.
The most effective way for teachers to learn technology is through collaborative learning that is non-threatening. In a collaborative learning environment adults can help support each other with their various levels of knowledge. This training must be ongoing and teachers need to be aware that this is an expectation of their jobs today. School districts also must jump on the bandwagon and provide support and training for this to be a win, win, situation for both the teachers and the students.
I recommend this website, as it is both insightful and interesting to me as I pursue my education degree. It certainly lays out that technolgy is moving forward and that educators must move with forward for the sake of our future.
http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/brand191.cfm

From Clifford Stoll, High Tech Heretic, ©1999 371.334STO

The article that I read about the PowerPoint taking the place of the the lecture slides of the past intrigued me. Since I am an older student, the PowerPoint was a new concept too me. I have seen many many PowerPoints in the last year. The ones that are generated by students have been really quite amazing. The ones that are part of instruction and lecture have some merit, but after awhile it can become boring and painful to try and get through slide after slide.
It was interesting how the article discussed the younger generation using the PowerPoint presentation to get out of doing research and hard work to put together a PowerPoint to slack off.
Because the younger generation know the computer techniques, it often is not hard work for students at all.
Once again, it is essential that there is some balance in how much technology is too much. It is clear that instructors need to set clear expectations for their students of what is acceptable. Nothing takes the place of good old fashioned content knowledge. Today, it is evident that technology is just another way that learning can be demonstrated and shared in the classroom.

Latest Thought on Technology

Interestingly enough after eight weeks of technology class. I must admit that the class that I had so feared has proved to be a great learning experience, thus far. I have literally gone from saying I can't do this project to not only doing the project, but being able to use it.
Since our center is going through reaccreditation, the brochure that I created was used to educate our families about our program. My supervisor liked it so much that she wanted to show it to some of our other centers so that they might want to create something similar when they go through this process.
This week, I have held family survey meeetings and many of the parents already knew a great deal about our program. It is very evident that they read over the brochure ahead of time. On the inside I enclosed the invitation to the meeting. Overall, I would not have had the turn out without the brochure.
Technology has enhanced my ability to communicate with my families. During this lengthy process, good communication is the key to success.

Reasons why technology is important in the classroom

There is evidence that supports that technology can help provide for developing concrete concepts, for example by visually representing abstract concepts at a faster rate, or by providing scaffolding to build upon cognitive development. Many software programs provide students with the information to use problem solving skills that will help them carry out tasks that will in essence create logical thinking naturally.
Technology, can also prepare students for what lies ahead in the future. I know from a personal standpoint that not having the computer skills that younger cohort students have acquired, has greatly affected my level of proficiency. It takes me so much longer to perform computer related tasks. Although, I am developing better computer skills out of sheer neccessity.
As students become confident with technology, the article indicated that students self-esteem is also higher. In our preschool setting, I have observed the children who are already confident in their ability to maneuver through a computer game.
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/reasons.html#future

Jan's News

Hi,
My name is Jan Gilles. I am 50 years old, and for some crazy reason I decided to return to college to get my teaching license. This is my second year attending The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. For the last seventeen years I have worked as an early childhood teacher and also for the past 12 years as the Site Coordinator of the preschool.
My husband John and I are empty- nesters. Our children are both grown and married. Our daughter Angela and her husband Aaron live in Los Angeles California. They have a Teddy Bear puppy named Coconut, who has brought a great deal of joy to our family. Our son Ryan and his wife Katie live in Boise Idaho.
When I am not working full time and attending full time classes my husband and I love to travel. Some of our more recent travel of course has been to California and Idaho. This past Spring our entire family (including Coconut) spent a week together in Jackson Hole Wyoming. We spent a lot of time hiking in the Grand Tetons it was by far some of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever witnessed.
As far as computers go I like to refer to myself as somewhat technically challenged. I know enough to get by. My hope is that after I complete my technology class that I will be a little more computer savy for the the future.