I was trying to figure out why, in a district as large as the one I work in, more educators are not actively seeking to utilize the technology we already have in place to enhance student learning. When I first arrived in Yonkers, it was mandated that computer labs be disbanded (at least in the elementary schools) and the computers be placed directly in the classrooms. This was to ensure that students had access to computers during the course of the day to be used as a tool in their education. Every classroom was to have 5 computers with internet connection. In my building every classroom has the required amount of computers, however, the vast majority of these computers are not being used in the way they were intended to be used. One of the main problems for the minimal levels of usage, in my opinion, is accountability.
There is a section of No Child Left Behind which is called the “Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001”. I had never heard of this before. As far as I can tell, there are no real measures of accountability in place to monitor the enhancement of education through the use of technology. As a classroom teacher shouldn’t I be held accountable if I fail to adhere to this act mandated by the Department of Education? I certainly am held accountable if my students fail to reach the required yearly progress goals as measured by the ELA, Mathematics Exam, and other mandated standardized tests. I am constantly reminded of the urgent need to “get those numbers up” in that respect. Why is there no sense of urgency with regard to enhancing education through the use of technology?
As a matter of policy, we tend to measure those aspects of education which we collectively deem important. I don’t think there will be the necessary paradigm shift in education, with regards to technology, until we are held accountable. Of course there is a sense of urgency in some districts, but I have yet to see it across the board for all students in all districts.
Sounds like it’s a case of the school trying meeting the minimal requirements set by the law but not caring about its original intent.
Comment by bradykevin — January 23, 2008 @ 3:36 am
I have seen in my school it is not that teachers do not want to use the technology offered to them, it is that they themselves are unsure of how to use the technology. Until districts take an active roll in educating their staff then it is the students who are going to suffer. They will suffer when the go to middle school, high school, and then later in the workforce.
Comment by troksvold — January 24, 2008 @ 1:07 am
I appreciated reading your post because it connects with my critical issue that I am writing about. The issue I am writing about is the teacher’s role in promoting tecnology in the classroom and at what point it becomes our job to faciliate learning through new technology.
Thanks!
Comment by Katie — January 30, 2008 @ 2:57 pm