As educators approaching the year 2020 we fully understand that technology is no longer a suggestion in our classrooms but an integral part of our every day lessons. The need and requirement for technology in the classrooms can be both awesome and frustrating.
While some teachers have no problem implementing technology in their every day lessons many teachers and even entire schools run into technology related challenges making the use of these awesome resources obsolete...thus frustrating for all parties. If we take a look at the infographic below I have outlined four technology related challenges I have personally encountered over the years as I moved from the face to face classroom to the 100% online arena.
These challenges face many teachers and schools in both the brick and mortar classroom and the virtual classroom. While all 4 may not plague everyone, a study by Samsung showed that 90% of teachers believe technology in the classroom is important to achieve success, therefore making it important to discuss these challenges and ways to overcome them. (Samsung, 2015)
Use this link for a larger infographic representation: Technology Fears In The Classroom
Technology Challenge #1: Digital Divide - Digital Literacy
“More than one in four higher education students . . . take at least one course online” (Allen
& Seaman, 2010, p. 1). As an online educator this statistic is important and eye-opening. This number shows educators that technology in the classroom as well as online learning is not a fad but part of our mainstream. The first technology challenge that both face to face and online educators may face is known as the digital divide.
The digital divide is known as the "gulf between those who have ready access to computers and internet and those that don't" (Dictionary.com). This divide in recent years in America has shifted. According the a government census is 2015 over 290 million Americans had access to the internet. Technology access is no longer the challenge but HOW to use it.
For students to continue to be successful in an every changing technological world they must have their fundamental digital literacies intact. They must be able to perform basic internet skills in order to be successful in the classroom (both face to face and online)
I read an article recently: Digital Literacy in Education
In the article it is stated that digital literacy can now be seen as a life skill. Students today are part of a new “digital divide”. It is often times no longer a question of IF a student has internet access but do they know HOW to use it. Studies have been conducted among different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds where students know how to tweet, text and use Facebook but they do not know how to do a common internet search
Our world continues to grow in technology and having it in the classroom is definitely not a passing fad. Helping students blossom in their use of technology is imperative and necessary in today’s classrooms and finding ways to do that is becoming easier with the ever growing technology tools and educational technologies possible. Incorporating digital literacies and helping to close the digital divide in our online classroom is one way to help with continued student success.
I encourage you to take a look the article with video below (click image) for a bit more information about the digital literacy in the US and how some are helping combat it.
Additional Link: Digital Literacy Unlocks Opportunity For All
Technology Challenge #2: Resources...But No Training
In the text I have chosen to read for EDU 659 Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning, Scott McLeod discusses how to implement technology effectively for better student engagement and understanding. In the text McLed states "Although most schools have a lot of technology, they rarely use it well...many schools are using technology simply for technology's sake" (McLeod, Pg 5) Why is this? In most cases it's simple...the educators are not properly trained on HOW to use the expensive resources they may available.
When a school system spends money on technology resources and/or moves their students into online classrooms it is important for all parties involved to be trained effectively. Training alleviates questions, stress and ensures the tools and technology equipment are used properly. For example many schools system may use a Learning Management System (LMS) like Canvas to allow students to work in a blended space. Students are able to submit assignments online, complete research and integrate their studies using technology, however, if the teacher does not know how to navigate Canvas or understand the LMS's many useful functions this technology tool may go unused leaving a vast untapped technology resource.
Training in the form of Professional Development allows educators to build their own digital "tool boxes" of resources they can effectively incorporate into the classroom to allow technology to assist in better engagement and understanding.
I see firsthand how important it is to have teachers properly trained when it comes to technology and using online resources. I work with educators wanting to move into the online classroom and for many teaching 100% virtually is a foreign concept and without training (16 weeks worth in my job) neither teachers or students would be successful.
This ties in our first technology challenge. Teachers must be properly trained to use technology resources in order to help those students that are struggling with their own digital literacies. The article below is a great example of how educators can learn to use technology to effectively reach all of their students.
**One important point that I am not discussing are those schools that do NOT have technology resources readily available, however, this article does shine a bit of light on this challenge as well.
**One important point that I am not discussing are those schools that do NOT have technology resources readily available, however, this article does shine a bit of light on this challenge as well.
Technology Challenge #3 - Time and planning to implement effectively
A third and very notable challenge that teachers and schools may face when it comes to technology is the amount of time it will take to learn new technology resources. This is a major concern and challenge among the already numerous hats an educator must wear daily. Kick back from schools and teachers may result when districts try to move certain classes online or integrate new technology systems.
Honestly, from experience this is one area of education that may always be a challenge. As educators we must constantly revamp, tweak, change and grow in order to best serve our students so while there may be some growing pains and extra upfront work the benefits of properly implementing technology in our classrooms is worth it.
This challenge also ties into the previous two...(Can you see what I am doing here?). Not only do educators and schools need proper training on technology resources they also need continued support to make sure the strategies they learn are properly implemented long term. After a semester of using a new technology what does the student data say about the change? Was it successful? Are additional tweaks needed? If we want be more successful what do we need to change?
These are important questions to ask but with a bit of initial time and planning an educator should be able to make quick tweaks to see success. I am a firm believer that while things may take longer in the beginning to get going IF you spend this extra time it does in fact save you time later on when you are implementing and evaluating effectiveness.
The brief article below dives into why preparation and planning (in general) for teachers is so important! Take a look:
Technology Challenge #4 - Fear of Technology
A final challenge that educators may encounter regarding technology implementation is fear! An educator may say "well I tried this before and it didn't work" or "there's too much to learn how will I ever remember it all" or "I've taught my way for 20 years surely the kids will know more about this than me".
All of these are valid questions and concerns but should not stop an educator from challenging themselves to learn new technology resources. The video below was developed by Angel Bradford and helps a fearful educator start small with a few easy free tools to get their technological feet wet.
Any good educator knows that change is always inevitable and to better meet their students' needs an educator must also continue to learn and grow. This may be uncomfortable at first but in a country that is so technologically advanced it is necessary.
Used with written permission from Angel Bradford, M.ed. Edtech Angel . Uploaded August 31, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7rQUF9KLgQ&feature=youtu.be
Final Thoughts...
Educators and schools want to use technology to foster deeper understanding of content. We research technology that is accessible and practical for particular learning needs and styles. We crave training to be able use technology. We also may be fearful of using technology but no matter what we must recognize that technology is intertwined with all educational curriculums and there is no way to get around using it.
So why not look at the challenges, embrace them and overcome...even if it takes a few tries?!?!
An additional idea to ponder about using technology in the classroom is how do we make it accessible to all students no matter the learning level or style? With the above mentioned technology challenges can ANY student take an online course or use technology tools? To these questions I say YES and I invite you to read a previous blog post I wrote concerning meetings all students' needs in the online classroom by allowing them expression in their choice of work. Using technology does not mean pen and paper are obsolete as these are still powerful tools for understanding in the online world. Enjoy!
Resources
