When it comes to technology integration into schools, it is essential that there is professional development provided to all staff. Despite the thoughts of many "traditional" teachers, technology is not going anywhere, and is becoming more and more prevalent everywhere in our society. We must provide professional development to our teachers so they can use the available technology in the best way possible. The professional development must also always address the unique needs of the students and staff (Meltzer, 2012). The professional development should lead to sustainable changes, that result in teachers gaining more knowledge on instructional practice, which leads to improvements in student learning (Meltzer, 2012).
When it comes to connecting pedagogy and technology integration, it is essential that Technology Integration Specialists help teachers to understand that, "The idea becomes before the tools" (George Lucas Educational Foundation, 2015). A wonderful analogy to technology integration discusses how when you go to a hardware store to buy a drill, it is not the drill you really want, but the hole in the wall (Schwab, 2004). The drill, like the technology in schools, is the tool that helps students to get to their learning goal. It is so important that teachers understand that simply using a computer in their classrooms will not necessarily prepare students for the 21st century. Teachers must use technology with meaning and as a supporting tool.
Technology Integration Specialists and schools encounter several challenges when trying to implement technology programs. There is always resistance to technology from some teachers, because they feel that what they have been doing prior to technology integration still is valid (Module 1 Overview, 2015). Additionally, a challenge Technology Integration Specialists could face is the wide range of abilities of the staff. This will require the specialists to be able to vary their Professional Development to best help all teachers. This could mean having separate sessions with more or less support. Finally, schools could face the issue of funding technology and maintenance of the technology. A solution to this may be writing a grant.
References
George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2015, December 17). Technology Integration. Retrieved from Edutopia Web site: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration
Meltzer, S. T. (2012). Step-by-step Professional Development in Technology. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.
Module 1 Overview. (2015). EDU 641: Integrating Digital Tech II. Education Department, SNHU, Manchester, NH, Retrieved from https://blackboard.snhu.edu/
Schwab. (2004). JOTS v32n2 - The Pedagogy of Technology Integration. Retrieved December 17, 2015, from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v32/v32n2/okojie.html
