I recently read a post from Andrew Marcinek, an educator who I greatly respect and often agree with. Are We Chasing Technology or Mastering It? His post however caused me, for the first time after several years of connection, to disagree with him. In his post he asserts that we should slow down the way we expect teachers to learn and use technology as a tool for learning. He makes some valid points. We can never be on the cutting edge of Technology, since it changes and advances so rapidly. I totally agree. There is also an explosion of education applications available which causes information overload for even the most Tech-Savvy educator. Again I agree. I agree with Andy’s approach to teaching teachers. We cannot shove Technology down their throats with an arrogant approach espousing what we know as the best thing for all teachers to do.
There was a passage however that grabbed me, and set me off a bit. For those of you who know me, it really does not take too much. The passage read:
If your colleagues use PowerPoint effectively and the kids are learning from it then let them go. Let them check it off as technology integration! Don’t be one of the Tech-jocks and scoff at their slow uptake on the tech wave. Embrace them! Give them a short, resounding golf clap for stepping out of their comfort zone. And remember, not everyone teaches like you; just as our students don’t all learn the same way.
If PowerPoint were the lowest common denominator in the area of technology and learning, I might be less upset. The fact is that the chalk board is probably the lowest, followed by, 60 year old technology, the overhead projector. These are not bad tools for learning and each still may have a place in teaching and learning in the minds of some, but they should not be the focal point. The pinnacle of technology in the classroom cannot be PowerPoint.
I agree that we need to be patient and help educators along, but let us not forget who this education system is for. It is for the students. They are the learners that we must address as the focus of education. It is the comfort of the students with which we need to be concerned. It will always be the skills which students need, that must be the key to education. The tools of learning that kids need to master should be our main concern. Some teachers will never be comfortable with Technology and we must accept that. I was engaged in these very same arguments in the 80’s. We must however keep trying to engage them to engage. It is professional, as an educator, to be relevant. It is professional as an educator to be a learner. It is professional as an educator to be professional.
We are not educators to teach kids within the limits of our comfort zones. Hell, I grew up in the 50’s; my comfort zone no longer exists. As learners we need to move our comfort zones forward. We are teaching kids for their future not our past. (That is an oldie, but a goodie.) There is a place for blackboards, overheads, and even PowerPoint in education, but it is not where the focus of learning should rest. We need to prod and push people in the nicest of ways to strive forward. Yes, it would be counterproductive to overload them with the plethora of tools available today, but we need to move forward. That very same plethora will not go away in the future, it will grow. Standing in place is moving backwards in today’s technologically competitive culture.
I appreciate Andy’s concern for his colleagues. I agree with Andy’s approach to compassionate teaching. I part ways when it comes to placing the comforts of a few over the needs of the many, the students whom we have a responsibility to teach. We cannot be expected to be treated and respected as professionals unless we act professionally. Continuing to learn and to be relevant, as is required by our profession, is what we need to do as professionals. If I hold myself accountable to those standards, I cannot expect less from my colleagues.
Thank you, Andrew Marcinek for causing me to commit this to text on my blog.
You’re welcome, Mr. Whitby, and I appreciate you reading my post and responding with such a thorough examination of this issue. I have always found the best way to approach technology is through pedagogy. It is imperative that hesitant, comfortable teachers don’t feel like a device or application is coming on board to take their place. I think you would agree that teachers are still the experts in the classroom and the best facilitator for learning. However, we must integrate these devices, applications, and tools in moderation. While students are racing ahead with technology competencies, they still are very naive about how to use those technologies for learning and information evaluation. Most students use technology for socializing and that’s about it. So, while we must always evolve our classroom practice and integrate new and emerging technologies, we must pace that change. If we don’t we are simply trending and not learning.
Thanks again for the conversation, Tom.
I agree with much of what you say. A key comment that you made underscores a need for teachers to continue to evolve with technology. ” While students are racing ahead with technology competencies, they still are very naive about how to use those technologies for learning and information evaluation.” We cannot hold students responsible for that which we do not teach. To teach the skills of technology in order to create responsible, critical thinking, digital citizens, teachers must have more than just an awareness. It is incumbent on them to, at the very least, be relevant when it comes to technology as a tool for learning. They need not know all the bells and whistles, but at the very least an understanding of the capabilities in order to mentor students as lifelong learners.
It’s ridiculous that teacher’s who are supposed to be preparing students for the future should be out of touch with it,resentful of it,or tentative about it.We should be positive about the future and train or students to grasp this great new world of opportunities with confidence; we should teach this by example, by us using modern tools with confidence and skill.
This “student centered” post dovetails with Ernest Morrell’s keynote lecture which Franki Sibberson prompted me to listen to today. Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/3vhjhfj. Morrell prompts us to facilitate student learning in ways that will benefit their growth, development and success. Like this post, he challenges us to keep students center stage.
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In my job now I work with schools to utilize grant monies…recently I asked the math dept if there was any technology they wanted to use..they said, yes document cameras…OK what are you using them for…mostly to display the textbook was the answer….ugghh…so I asked for more ways before I would order them and darn if they didn’t have the answers…before we put them in their hands though I want PD for them so they can fully understand and utilize them…baby steps are fine, but I have found we need to help teachers get the tech they want and they help them use it…buying tech for those that have no want is still not going to work…I have not figured that one out yet…how to get them to embrace it more but again baby steps…
As someone who spent 19 years in the classroom and the last five years supporting teachers with technology, I “get” that many of them are reluctant and/or resistant towards using technology; I find it most usually stems from insecurities. But quite frankly, I think we’ve reached the tipping point folks; simply stated, it is no longer acceptable to refuse to board the bus. When I became a teacher, it was with the notion that I would do whatever was needed to help children learn. Today we have tools that hold enormous promise for helping us better meet the needs of the diverse student populations sitting in front of us each day. At what point did it become “okay” for teachers to stop growing in their understanding of how to best help children?
There is a growing frustration inside me when I am repeatedly asked to tread lightly…to be patient…to gently coax teachers… because guess what? There isn’t time!! The changes are happening all around us at warp speed and if we don’t watch out, we will find ourselves completely irrelevant to those children; they WILL find other ways to get educated and we, the teachers, will still be sitting at the bus stop with nary a bus in sight.
Nothing has changed really in the past 100 years of teaching. Students are STILL on the cutting edge of change, some teachers are STILL driven to stifle that idea of change and most teachers are driven to provide excellence in their classrooms. I totally agree that educators must stay relevant and informed and I also know first-hand how daunting that can be, but it must not deter us from the reason we teach – the students’ futures are dependent upon us guiding them well and teaching them discernment, responsibility and a range of tools for life in the workforce one day. Thanks Tom for your excellent blog which always challenges me!
I may be coming at this from an extreme position. I will use appropriate technology, whether it is the latest gadget from Apple, or 2 rocks, a stretch of sand and a stick (an idea from over 2,000 years ago).
I agree. As teachers, I’m not sure we are entitled to have such a thing as a “comfort zone”. We are supposed to face new challenges all the time, and technology is only one of them.
In my country (Argentina), PowerPoint is really “high-tech” in many schools. Actually, in the place I teach, student’s have no access to Internet at school, but they have it at home. While many teachers don’t even have an e-mail account, kids are in Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, they chat, send e-mails, have smartphones, notebooks, netbooks… We complain because they don’t use such tools in a constructive way, but how could they? Those who are supposed to teach them how are running away from technology…
P/S: Sorry for the bad spelling, I see now I made some mistakes…
As an instructional coach who works with teachers each day to help them further deepen their knowledge and usage of instructional best practices, I approach my fellow colleagues like I would approach my students when I taught in the classroom. We are all learners and we are all at different levels mastery. As with any learner I have to start where they are ready to learn. So, if I have a teacher that has never used PowerPoint as a means for their students to respond to learning, and they push themselves outside their comfort zone and into the realm of the unknown to do this, then I’m cheering. That is progress from where they were in their learning. This little taste of success breeds the courage to give other new technology a try.
It sounds as though you feel like all teachers already know how to integrate technology into instruction. Wouldn’t that be great if all our students came to us with the same set of background knowledge, but they don’t. And this is the case for our teachers as well. We need to differentiate for them too. Like students, some teachers will need to progress at a slower rate than others.
I would recognize the good start, and provide my teachers with additional knowledge and resources to move forward in their technology integration.
I agree, Lana; I guess I’m not really talking about those teachers who are open to the idea of learning how to use technology as much as those who completely resist it. Your approach of viewing teachers as diverse learners is spot on; I have all the patience and time in the world when we’re all doing what our profession demands of us. In fact, I celebrate right alongside my teachers when they make forward movement, no matter how “small”.
What I think many of us are struggling with are those teachers who refuse to acknowledge that technology is a viable tool that can open up the world to children from all walks of life…with the guidance of a skilled teacher, of course. At what point do we no longer accept “no” and make it a non-negotiable?
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This is just the discussion I have been looking for. Coming from a high-tech background into education, I am a little miffed by the integration problems. Let’s talk about the tools. First of all, PowerPoint is a phenomenal tool for outlining a lesson. A presentation does not have to occur from beginning to end without stopping…you might stop on one slide and move to the overhead and look at google earth. Or, go to a youtube to present a video. Or, open a wiki and add to a page. Now, if a teacher does not know how to use PowerPoint, what is the big deal about a student showing him or her how to use it? Are teachers supposed to know everything? I was running a lab, and noticed how a student dragged-and-dropped an image into a PowerPoint, and I never looked back. And, I thanked the student, as well.
I don’t think that teachers need extensive professional development in technology. Perhaps an overview of what tools the school has and to begin using them in class. It should not be a “shame” that some of us are digital natives and others digital immigrants; Web 2.0 is all about collaboration, after all.
We agree on a few things, Elly:
1.) I find the dreadful use of powerpoint is most often caused by human error and not the software’s fault. PPT often gets a bad rap.
2.) Teachers should never be led to think that they need to know how to use all tools…it’s impossible. I tell the teachers I work with that they simply must have some basic fluency with technology and an awareness of what is out there. I also tell them not to get in the way of the students using the tools.
3.) Teachers don’t need extensive professional development in technology
…but this is where you and I begin to disagree…
Teachers DO need extensive professional development in the complex interplay between pedagogy, content and technology. (TPCK) The focus should never be on the tool; the focus should always be on the content and helping students understand the content deeply. When working with teachers, we begin with the content and talk about misconceptions, gaps, difficult ideas, ways to deepen the understanding; then we talk about the best instructional practices to help students begin to understand the content. It is within the context of this conversation that we start thinking about the tools that might help them understand better. And then…and then we get out of their way.
21st Century learning is about putting the students in the drivers’ seat…creating student-centered classrooms. The toughest question I ask the teachers is “who owns the learning?” (Alan November) In the 20th Century model of education, the teacher is the all-knowing…the sage on the stage. The classrooms we need to create today are student-driven, personalized and fueled by personal passions. They are networked, authentic and based on real-world situations. THAT is where all of the professional development is needed because most teachers I work with do not even know where to begin in creating that type of classroom…and to no fault of their own. It is a new world and we need to find ways to help teachers understand the enormous paradigm shift that is occurring right before their eyes. This will begin to happen when we stop talking about the teaching…the technology and instead focus on the learning.
Some thoughts:
1. Its the 21C can’t we have a basic assumption of competence for any teacher such as Word Processing? If not then we really are in trouble. WP skills are usually enough to get going in most Web 2.0 applications.
2. PD training should focus on Web 2.0 skills not applications such as those taught through courses such as the ICDL. Every year I see teacher sitting through hours of training on spreadsheets and databases, they get their certificate of competence and never build a spreadsheet or database, or use IT in class again. In the case of applications such as Access who would blame them, I agree with Elly, Power Point is a good tool but so are many of the Web 2.0.
3. The for the majority of applications (web 2.0) the up-skilling time is very short, time to application very quick. As the programming behind such technologies has become more and more complex the pressure has been to make them more and more intuitive to the user. Its not like we are asking teachers to learn Java or Dreamweaver.
4. If we are all ‘teachers of English*’ (change language as required) then are we not also all ‘ teachers of IT’.
5. The most appreciated skills I taught other teachers last year took less than 5 minutes and had immediate impact. My lesson plan was ‘Windows Flag + S’ to screen capture and crop anywhere, anything any time, and, wait for it ‘ Ctrl + C, Ctrl +V’.
“Computer, post to blog”
John
John – There are a couple of quick processes in “single-sourcing (writing once, publishing many times):” 1. create excellent modularized content; 2. publish it in a tool relevant to your needs (a wiki is a great choice for schools); 3. copy and paste!
Hi Elly, I wonder what you think about this blog post I wrote about tech integration. What would you add? Thoughts. http://teachwellnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/tech-selection-work-in-progress.html
I continue to think about this post. Marcinek’s comment supports a spirit of collegiality that accepts there are many ways to do the job well, and that there is no “one size fits all” for educators — it’s a complex, diverse process with many avenues for success. Attitudes that promote a “better than” or “my way or the highway” attitude can be detrimental to a school environment.
However, Whitby is on target in supporting “student-centered” learning, and the need for all teachers to embrace new technologies when it means that student growth, development, skills and knowledge will be enhanced. A teacher I will be working with remarked to me, “Don’t expect me to do tech. I’m not good at that.” I was struck by the comment and responded that tech would be a large part of our classroom environment because it makes learning more accessible to students, and then I added a few suggestions for tech knowledge and growth. I didn’t want to degrade the teacher, but I did want to make the point that what’s best for students is what we’ll do in an effort to facilitate optimal learning for all.
This is a wonderful discussion, prompting new learning and ideas. Thanks.
it’s bad news when that kind of statement comes from a teacher, but worse from an administrator!
Beyond technlogy integration, you make a much more pervasive point here…that what you do in the classroom needs to serve student needs, and nor personal preferences. I’ve blogged about this in my post “It’s not about you” at http://21stcenturyed.com/?p=204 – comments welcome!
I have heard this topic argued so many times over the past ~decade, as if most teachers have taken up a position where they oppose the use of technology or oppose their own professional development. This goes against what I know about most of the teachers I have worked alongside in the past. It reminds me of the many fronts that teachers take the blame for the lack of improvement in our educational systems. Teaching, as with all professions today, requires people to be more active learners than in the past, in order to remain relevant in their work (even more so if they seek to lead). The big difference is that the culture and environment of many other professions has changed to embrace the use of technology and to facilitate learning engagement. This is not true in most of our school systems.
We can continue to place the blame on teachers, adding to the chorus of blame that injures teacher professionalism and distracts from sensible solutions or we can begin to seek the supports and resources that will facilitate and inspire a culture in schools where both teacher and student learning is the focus of school improvement efforts. Tom stated, “… but let us not forget who this education system is for. It is for the students.” I would argue this point, even go as far as suggesting that it is this commonly held platitude that has most hindered the growth of quality in our schools and most certainly has stood in the way of significant professional growth for the vast majority of teachers that many have called out in this conversation.
Look closely at our most successful schools today, where technology and other learning tools and resources are effectively applied… There a key ingredient is that those schools have established new cultures where learning is both student and teacher centered. In most schools where I have worked (as a teacher and as an educational technology specialist) the system did not support or inspire teacher learners.
If you simply changed the student week to four-days and all teachers had a fifth day to meaningfully focus on their own learning, student learning would significantly increase. Google has shown how 20% Time feeds quality and innovation (don’t for a second think this is a new idea – 3M was doing the same thing as early as the 1950’s).
Additionally…
The physical school environment (and location): What leads us to believe that environments that are the next best thing to a prison is a place where learners, child or adult, would be inspired. In rural schools they are often as isolated as most prisons are as well.
http://positivesharing.com/2006/10/10-seeeeeriously-cool-workplaces/
A final quote…
“The one thing that all of the businesses on the top 50 list have in common is that they all realise that an organization is only as good as its employees, and so go out of their way to ensure staff happiness and contentment. Staff turnover is low, while job satisfaction is high.”
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/979201
I hope we put an end to accusing teachers of negligence when it comes to technology integration. It’s more important to begin working together to create a culture in the profession and practice of teaching and learning where both teachers and students are encouraged and support to step outside their comfort zones together and as individuals.
Hi Mark. Awesome response. I’d like you to send this to Arne Duncan. This would also make a great blog post by itself. If you do that let me know @lookforsun so I can retweet it.
Tom, a very insightful post. I have so many varying levels of “tech comfort” amongst my staff. I have found it interesting/baffling of the push back I have received from some of them-both new and veteran. One became almost belligerent about tue fact that I was sharing how to build a PLN w/Twitter and the benefits of using Google docs this year. On the other hand, I have staff who have run faster with tech than I can keep up.
My philosophy is very close to yours-I must continually push the ones who are pushing against me-and get out of the way of those who are running. The focus should always be on “what is best for kids” – what will engage them in thinking-what will meet them where they are. Even in our community with a high level of poverty, our kids are more tech savvy than the adults. It becomes our job to use that savviness to our benefit-teach them how to use it for “good”. 🙂
Summary-teachers need to be pushed (with gentle pressure applied relentlessly) out of their comfort zone. Utilize tech to enhance student centered learning!
I too have “many varying levels of “tech comfort” amongst our staff,” as Averyteach said above. And,I too “have found it interesting/baffling of the push back I have received from some of them-both new and veteran.” As a grad student teaching the Apple IIE to teachers in 1991/92, I am amazed that not every teacher in the year 2011 is more comfortable with technology. But that’s something I guess we will live with forever.
I have a bigger concern with any teacher who is using Powerpoint without other explorations in the classroom. I find providing the powerpoint or keynote in a document for the students to watch (or not) as another source of information is much more effective. Let them decide whether they want to watch the slides in the same order as you set them up. Let them decide if one slide needs more information and should be researched on its own.
Just like IWB’s are wonderful technology, having the teacher standing up at the Smartboard or Promethean Board is not any better than having the teacher stand in front of a Powerpoint or just in front of a black(or white) board.
The base of our position should be the learning that is achieved through various instruments and methods through time. I have always tried to keep abreast of various tools-remember Yahoo! Page builder-but have always approached it ploddingly. Standing still is not going backwards at all, but being reflective and deliberate about one’s abilities and practice. Every teacher must find their competencies and feel strong about their practice. To have an “all in or you’re out” or unprofessional approach to what we think are future skills or tools defies reality and is a big turn off. The vast majority of predictions about the future are wrong. You are using today’s tools to impact now and creating instant history. Your guess at the future is questionable. In my view, the newest tools merely reinforce those skills that are uniquely human and that every great teacher and school have tried to hone-reason, logic, creativity. Are we really sure that kids will use all these tech tools when they leave us? Many that I keep in touch with report no at uni and beyond.
At a school in Hong Kong that I worked at, those of us that were more tech inclined adopted a practice of continual sharing. We gave department briefings, sent links to great student work, etc. but none that I recall adopted the hard, fast position of tech now! with exclamation points. Our first “everyone must do” was a wiki for various teacher lead school trips that was used as tool to gently nudge with tons of support by we viral users.
I could not say that my results were any better than some of my colleagues who used butcher paper for their kids to collaborate. I was moved by the works that some shared written with pen and paper under a tree. And the science teacher that lectured, recorded those and podcasted them but got all 5’s on his AP tests, he was revered by his students and when he left was given a standing ovation by students. Not to mention that I do have kids that do not have emails or fb.
We must each reach our own level of mastery to be authentic to ourselves and to be so to our students. Vive le difference!
Hi Tom,
Just posted a link to this (and your recent Youtube interview) on the TeachingEnglish facebook page if you’d like to check for comments.
Please feel free to post there when you have anything you would like to share.
Best,
Ann
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