How does working with the public, school board, administration, and teaching staff differ from working with students?
I have only student taught so my experience with this is very limited as I do not have a classroom to call my own yet. I believe that the fundamental difference when working with the public, school board, administration, and teaching staff would be the perspective or role you would take. As a teacher you are leading the lessons and units. When working with coworkers the relationship is one of teamwork and mutual status. When working with the public, the school board and the administration you may be simply relying information or receiving instruction.
What are the potential challenges a technology integrator faces from school communities?
There are many challenges that technology integrators face from school communities. One is a lack of funding that would support new devices, software, and training. Another is an agreement and understanding on all side from teachers, administration, school board and public. "Parents, parent associations, and local community will have a range in thoughts as diverse as the community itself" (Tufts, 2013)
What do you believe are the best strategies for tackling these challenges?
Having a plan for implementation is necessary. In order to have a clear plan that is connected to curriculum Pamela Morehead and Barbara LaBeau recommend using curriculum mapping as a strategy. "Teachers need to recognize technology as an instrument in their tool chest for teaching and learning." (Morehead and LaBeau, 2013) They also state that it opens the door to teacher communication and collaboration that is lacking in curriculum development.
References:
Tufts, K. (2012, January). The Role of the Technology Integrator. Reading presented at Module One in Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester. Retrieved from https://blackboard.snhu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_86929_1%26url%3d
Morehead, P., & LaBeau, B. (n.d.). The Continuing Challenges of Technology Integration for Teachers. Usca.edu. Retrieved January, 2013, from http://www.usca.edu/essays/vol152005/moreheadrev.pdf
I agree that curriculum mapping is a good strategy to use to integrate technology into the curriculum. By having predetermined technology integrated lessons built in, it would take some of the burden of creating them off of the teachers and would allow the teachers to simply monitor and adjust what is provided for them. Of course adding technology into the curriculum means it will always have to be updated as technology changes so quickly, but revisiting the curriculum constantly is a good thing anyway!
ReplyDelete"Teachers need to recognize technology as an instrument in their tool chest for teaching and learning." (Morehead and LaBeau, 2013) They also state that it opens the door to teacher communication and collaboration that is lacking in curriculum development." - Yes, it is very important for teachers to recognize that it is just a tool and not the end all be all of their lesson. The technology is important as long as there is evidence of student learning. Using technology can help with collaboration with other teachers because they are happy to share what they are working on in the classroom. Especially when it goes well!
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