For me technology integration specialist is another teacher in a district. An integrator is not there to make people feel inferior or that technology is an end all but more to help other professionals feel comfortable with the technology to the point where the technology can be integrated in an effective manner. A technology integrator brings new ideas to the table to be discussed. There is no forcing the technology on to teachers. There is no using the technology for no good reason. The integrator assists the teachers in bringing technology into the classroom in the most effective manner without causing anxiety for the teacher or students. It is important that the technology integrator works as a part of the team and not as a dictator. The integration specialist is a team member who can assist in the classroom during technology integration as well. The technology integrator can also assist the teachers in connecting the technology students use outside the classroom with the topics in the classroom.
Teachers and students both use technology outside the classroom. Almost all have access to a cellphone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, or some other type of technology. When students are not in school many are texting friends or calling friends. When students come to school we ask them to shut down those technologies and many times to not touch technology at all during school. Many times we as teachers forget that times have changed. By forcing students to not use technology for an extended period of time we are alienating the students from learning at times. Rather than turning off the technology entirely we should be looking at ways of bringing in the technology even if it is not the technology the students are used to using. Teachers on the other hand are using technology throughout the day to take attendance, give presentations, search the internet, prepare for lessons, and many other activities throughout the day. As teachers we are not limited from accessing technology, yet we ask that of our students. It is time to start balancing that out when possible.
I like your definition of a technology integrator. I think a technology integrator is not just the person who has the title of technology integration specialist, that we need to train all teachers to be technology integrators so that we have an entire school of technology integrators. I think your comment about times have changes is vcery poignant. I was speaking to a woman at a shower this weekend who has been teaching in MA for 13 years. She said she is taking the next year off because she cant cope with all the changes. While I understand that in the last 123 years education has drastically changed, aren't we doing a disservice to our students if we aren't amenable to changing with it? Maybe because I come from a different career background than straight up education, but in every career your job changes drastically from year to year. So, it always astounds me when I speak with teachers who are not amenable to change. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteBeth,
ReplyDeleteI agree that shutting technology out completely is not a good idea given the amount of technology available and used by students outside of class. However, I also think that it is vital to have face-to-face social learning interactions in addition to utilizing technological tools. There needs to be a balance between the two.
Great post!
Lauren
Your first sentence is spot on...an integrator IS a teacher! On many levels! This is a great post!
ReplyDelete