Some issues relating to teacher training in technology are not providing technology professional development workshops, and lack of participation among teachers and administrators. I believe that many school systems have technology but do not allocate funding nor time to training their teachers in the effective use of technology. Additionally, if school administrators do not place a large emphasis on technology training, then it would be quite difficult for teachers to take technology professional development serious. It is up to the administrators to value technology professional development and strongly encourage their teachers to attend.
The collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions can help in training teachers to integrate technology. Higher education institutions can serve as the catalyst for change in helping K-12 teachers experience a high comfort level of using technology. Since higher education institutions are concerned with cutting edge research, they can help K-12 by demonstrating the effective use of technology. Additionally, the continual collaboration would help students learn more in the classroom.
It is very important to obtain legislative, community, and government support toward planning statewide technology teacher training. I believe that in order to undertake a massive project, it will take the concerted effort of many people working together to promote the technology initiative. This will definitely require a lot of buy in from legislative, community, and local government. If people are convinced that a plan would work, then they are more apt to support it. It is imperative to keep people abreast and involved every step along the way to ensure the project would be a success.
I believe that the type of training that teachers need concerning technology training is utilizing the teachers training teachers models. By taking a teacher from a school and training this teacher to become the technology facilitator for his or her school could be a great asset. I believe that this individual would have the capability of helping all teachers move towards integrating more technology in the classroom. Additionally, this person would be on site to provide continual technical support and recommendation.
The type of support that teachers need to continue their professional development is administrative support. School administrators play an important role in encouraging their teachers to attend professional development. I also believe that school administrators may consider providing teachers with some type of incentives to get them to attend professional development.
If ALL teachers have full technology support and proper professional development in using technology, the classroom environment may look like college classrooms. I believe that teachers would not rely on the traditional white board to write notes on. Rather, teachers would begin to jot down notes on the SmartBoard. I believe that students would be able to sit in front of a computer and take notes or to view a personal copy of the teacher’s notes in PowerPoint. The classrooma may also utilize Promethean boards and students would be able to respond to the teachers’ question by inputting their responses into a personal device that is connected to a centralized hub. Afterwards, the teacher can display students’ choices on the Promethean board. I believe that if ALL teachers have full technology support, the classrooms would look far more advanced.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Week Six (Chapters Ten and Eleven): Topic (Educational Technology), Module (Assistive Technologies/Universal Design) – Clip: UD for Special Needs
There are several advantages of universal design in education. According to the video, a great design is a design for all. In today’s world, it is simply not enough to have a “one-size fits all” approach in education. Through universal design in education, individuals with various learning styles, learning needs, or learning difficulties would not be deprived of an adequate education. Additionally, universal design in education is ensuring that all students learn but not necessarily at the same pace. Lastly, universal design in education is advantageous to helping all students feel competent because teachers could meet students where they are and bring them to a higher level in learning.
A universal design textbook could work for students with cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. There are many situations in which students with various learning disabilities are mainstreamed without the appropriate resources to become highly successful in the classroom. In other cases, teachers may not be adequately trained to work with such students. These students may be sitting in a class but may be reading several grade levels below the particular class that they are currently in. It is almost impossible to expect for those students to be successful. As long as students are promoted to the next grade, the problem worsens. I believe that a universal design textbook may be able to help students learn. These electronic books would provide a slider that students could move from various levels, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Additionally, students would be given the option of selecting to read electronic books with more pictures and less words per screen.
My thoughts about integrating universal design to meet the needs of the “individual” student are favorable. I believe that each student has unique learning needs. Educators have the responsibility to get to know their students so they would gain a better perspective of how their students learn. By integrating universal design, teachers would be able to ensure that each student becomes successful.
As stated in the prior paragraphs, I believe that education can benefit from universal design. Again, there is not a “one-size fit all” approach to educating students. By incorporating a universal design, it is a possibility that all students would benefit from a quality education. This is similar to providing each student with an IEP.
I could benefit from universal design because my instructors would understand my learning needs and tailor assignments that would build upon my strengths. Additionally, these assignments would help to improve my weak areas. I could also benefit from universal design because I would spend more time working on assignments that are meaningful and less time on redundant assignments.
A universal design textbook could work for students with cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. There are many situations in which students with various learning disabilities are mainstreamed without the appropriate resources to become highly successful in the classroom. In other cases, teachers may not be adequately trained to work with such students. These students may be sitting in a class but may be reading several grade levels below the particular class that they are currently in. It is almost impossible to expect for those students to be successful. As long as students are promoted to the next grade, the problem worsens. I believe that a universal design textbook may be able to help students learn. These electronic books would provide a slider that students could move from various levels, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Additionally, students would be given the option of selecting to read electronic books with more pictures and less words per screen.
My thoughts about integrating universal design to meet the needs of the “individual” student are favorable. I believe that each student has unique learning needs. Educators have the responsibility to get to know their students so they would gain a better perspective of how their students learn. By integrating universal design, teachers would be able to ensure that each student becomes successful.
As stated in the prior paragraphs, I believe that education can benefit from universal design. Again, there is not a “one-size fit all” approach to educating students. By incorporating a universal design, it is a possibility that all students would benefit from a quality education. This is similar to providing each student with an IEP.
I could benefit from universal design because my instructors would understand my learning needs and tailor assignments that would build upon my strengths. Additionally, these assignments would help to improve my weak areas. I could also benefit from universal design because I would spend more time working on assignments that are meaningful and less time on redundant assignments.
Week Six (Chapters Ten and Eleven): Topic (Educational Technology), Module (Florida Virtual School Part II) – Clip: Options for Virtual Students
According to the video, the students discussed many advantages concerning online learning. For instance, one student was able to attend virtual school in order to obtain credits for several courses opposed to having to attend summer school. This student stated that she enjoys virtual school because she did not have to worry about being interrupted by other students who were not concerned about their education. Furthermore, she stated that she did not have to listen to students complaining about their teachers assigning an excessive amount of homework.
The other students that were interviewed in the video appeared to live busy lives because of their commitment toward extracurricular activities. Through virtual schools, these students were able to attend school when it was convenient for them. These students stated that if they were not able to complete all of their assignments during the traditional school week, then they were able to attend virtual school on the weekend. One of the students who was enrolled into a couple of AP courses stated that the quality of learning was much improved compared to traditional schools because of the one-on-one attention he received from his teachers.
The parents’ appeared to have several optimistic views toward online learning. One parent stated that the instructions and guidance presented in the virtual school were very easy to understand. This parent also stated that teachers were constantly giving her feedback regarding her daughter’s academic performance. This parent felt that she did not ever have to wonder about her daughter’s performance because she would receive frequent calls and updates from teachers. The other two parents experienced similar situations. They stated that they felt a personal connection with their children’s teachers. In fact, one parent believed that she would not have received this level of connection if her students were enrolled into a traditional school.
The teachers’ overall view toward online learning was to make their students feel as if he or she is the only student in the class. Based on the students’ remarks, this was the theme. Apparently, the teachers wanted for students to realize that they were able to accomplish the tasks that were set before them. In difficult cases, the teachers were there to help students resolve their problems. Additionally, some of the teachers allowed students to re-submit assignments to demonstrate improvement.
If states would offer more courses online, there would be several benefits that would emerge from it. I can see how virtual schools could be used to address the learning needs of different learners. Based on the video, it appeared that each student that was being interviewed enjoyed learning on their own. I wondered how virtual schools could be used to help those students that are falling through the academic cracks and dropping out of school. So, in order to address the question, I believe that a benefit is to increase the number of students graduating high school. When students are being expelled from school, then they are not learning by sitting at home. I believe that virtual schools may be one solution to the problem. Another emerging benefit is to address the needs of teacher shortage in rural, public education. It is often difficult for rural school systems to recruit, hire, and retain quality AP teachers. I believe that virtual schools would be advantageous in helping AP students from these areas to receive an adequate education.
A limitation towards virtual learning that the people in the video did not address could be what it takes for students to be successful. Another limitation, which is also mentioned above, is strategically finding a way to use virtual schools to address the academic achievement gap and attainment in the United States.
I believe that the limitations could be resolved through research and concerned educators. It takes a certain set of quality and characteristics for students to be successful in virtual schools. Prior to students enrolling in virtual schools, they should be screened and interviewed. Through future research and dedicated educators, virtual school can help many students to attain their academic and personal goals.
The other students that were interviewed in the video appeared to live busy lives because of their commitment toward extracurricular activities. Through virtual schools, these students were able to attend school when it was convenient for them. These students stated that if they were not able to complete all of their assignments during the traditional school week, then they were able to attend virtual school on the weekend. One of the students who was enrolled into a couple of AP courses stated that the quality of learning was much improved compared to traditional schools because of the one-on-one attention he received from his teachers.
The parents’ appeared to have several optimistic views toward online learning. One parent stated that the instructions and guidance presented in the virtual school were very easy to understand. This parent also stated that teachers were constantly giving her feedback regarding her daughter’s academic performance. This parent felt that she did not ever have to wonder about her daughter’s performance because she would receive frequent calls and updates from teachers. The other two parents experienced similar situations. They stated that they felt a personal connection with their children’s teachers. In fact, one parent believed that she would not have received this level of connection if her students were enrolled into a traditional school.
The teachers’ overall view toward online learning was to make their students feel as if he or she is the only student in the class. Based on the students’ remarks, this was the theme. Apparently, the teachers wanted for students to realize that they were able to accomplish the tasks that were set before them. In difficult cases, the teachers were there to help students resolve their problems. Additionally, some of the teachers allowed students to re-submit assignments to demonstrate improvement.
If states would offer more courses online, there would be several benefits that would emerge from it. I can see how virtual schools could be used to address the learning needs of different learners. Based on the video, it appeared that each student that was being interviewed enjoyed learning on their own. I wondered how virtual schools could be used to help those students that are falling through the academic cracks and dropping out of school. So, in order to address the question, I believe that a benefit is to increase the number of students graduating high school. When students are being expelled from school, then they are not learning by sitting at home. I believe that virtual schools may be one solution to the problem. Another emerging benefit is to address the needs of teacher shortage in rural, public education. It is often difficult for rural school systems to recruit, hire, and retain quality AP teachers. I believe that virtual schools would be advantageous in helping AP students from these areas to receive an adequate education.
A limitation towards virtual learning that the people in the video did not address could be what it takes for students to be successful. Another limitation, which is also mentioned above, is strategically finding a way to use virtual schools to address the academic achievement gap and attainment in the United States.
I believe that the limitations could be resolved through research and concerned educators. It takes a certain set of quality and characteristics for students to be successful in virtual schools. Prior to students enrolling in virtual schools, they should be screened and interviewed. Through future research and dedicated educators, virtual school can help many students to attain their academic and personal goals.
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