why Technology Professional Development?
“Professional development can succeed only in settings, or contexts, that support it!”
Sandra Harwell
Teacher Professional Development in Technology is an important topic because most teachers these days did not receive technology training when they went through college and trained to be a teacher. Most education programs in the past have focused on teaching future educators about research-based teaching strategies and subject-specific content. Technology applications were limited to Microsoft Office and basic computer skills. Times have changed and will continue to change. Kids now come to school knowing more about computer programs, gaming and technology devices than their teachers with a staggering gap. Teachers need effective professional development at their campuses to help guide them on their quest to learning more about what tools are at their disposal and the when, how, and why to integrate them. A recent article by Laura Devaney titled, How Classrooms are Adopting Mobile Tech, discusses some of the barriers surrounding the slow adoption of mobile technology in schools. She mentions district budgets as the primary barriers, but also writes that "mobile device management issues persist, as well as the need for ongoing and targeted professional development and implementation support for teachers."
Many web-based educational programs located on the Internet are free. Teachers have a plethora of options available at their fingertips that they could utilize to improve student engagement and permit students to take an active role in their learning. Digital Textbooks are growing in popularity at a a tremendous rate as well. "Over the next few years, textbooks should be obsolete according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan" (Rivera, V.) The popularity of this textbook option has grown from 1% in 2010 to 5.5% in 2012 and projected to be 18% in 2014. As the price of devices decreases and textbook companies convert their textbooks to interactive multimedia learning environments, schools and teachers will be faced with the decision to integrate technology at every level of curriculum and instruction.
New technology programs and tools are being developed at a tremendously high rate. It is impossible for every teacher to stay current on what is at their disposal to utilize in their classrooms. Teachers need someone to lead them in this area in an effort to expose them to the technology resources at their disposal and learn which are appropriate for their subject and grade level, as well as support them in their implementation efforts as well as provide follow up support as appropriate.
Sandra Harwell
Teacher Professional Development in Technology is an important topic because most teachers these days did not receive technology training when they went through college and trained to be a teacher. Most education programs in the past have focused on teaching future educators about research-based teaching strategies and subject-specific content. Technology applications were limited to Microsoft Office and basic computer skills. Times have changed and will continue to change. Kids now come to school knowing more about computer programs, gaming and technology devices than their teachers with a staggering gap. Teachers need effective professional development at their campuses to help guide them on their quest to learning more about what tools are at their disposal and the when, how, and why to integrate them. A recent article by Laura Devaney titled, How Classrooms are Adopting Mobile Tech, discusses some of the barriers surrounding the slow adoption of mobile technology in schools. She mentions district budgets as the primary barriers, but also writes that "mobile device management issues persist, as well as the need for ongoing and targeted professional development and implementation support for teachers."
Many web-based educational programs located on the Internet are free. Teachers have a plethora of options available at their fingertips that they could utilize to improve student engagement and permit students to take an active role in their learning. Digital Textbooks are growing in popularity at a a tremendous rate as well. "Over the next few years, textbooks should be obsolete according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan" (Rivera, V.) The popularity of this textbook option has grown from 1% in 2010 to 5.5% in 2012 and projected to be 18% in 2014. As the price of devices decreases and textbook companies convert their textbooks to interactive multimedia learning environments, schools and teachers will be faced with the decision to integrate technology at every level of curriculum and instruction.
New technology programs and tools are being developed at a tremendously high rate. It is impossible for every teacher to stay current on what is at their disposal to utilize in their classrooms. Teachers need someone to lead them in this area in an effort to expose them to the technology resources at their disposal and learn which are appropriate for their subject and grade level, as well as support them in their implementation efforts as well as provide follow up support as appropriate.