Some days I can relate to this GIF. A technology coordinator is tech support!! A TC is viewed as the knowledge keeper of all technology. When in doubt, a teacher will look to them for advice. The TC is also responsible for sharing their knowledge in order to grow capacity in their teachers. Effective professional development can make the difference in technology implementation for teachers. If you want teachers to take what you offer and implement it in the classroom, it must be meaningful. Frazier & Hearrington (2017) discuss how, “a successful professional development program allows a school district to prepare teachers (and, in turn, students) to use technology as a natural part of the curriculum" (p. 38).
A TC should start with a needs analysis to help gauge where their staff is and what needs they may have. This will help create a PD menu and guide learning. Once the need is identified, the PD can be developed. All professional development should be individualized and designed with your audience in mind. A TC should know their audience and what they are wanting to get out of the learning. Professional development should be treated like a classroom lesson. Differentiation among learners, visuals, hands-on learning, and assessing are all valuable assets to any professional development. But most importantly it should not be a drill/kill type PD. Teachers enjoy collaborative PD and see it as a chance to learn from their peers as well.
Burris (2020) argues, teachers “depend on technology more than ever”. While it should never and could never replace effective teaching, it can have a great impact on learning. Technology when used correctly can transform learning. Frazier & Hearrington (2017) state, “professional development on how to use/implement the innovation is important, but so is professional development on how to teach with the innovation” (p. 110). Like I have already said, technology is a phenomenal resource to have but is useless if our teachers do not know how to use it or understand why they are using it. This is where effective PD comes in. While face-to-face and hands on professional learning is best, we know that is not always an option. When you need a refresher or you would like to grow your learning, here are some great virtual professional development opportunities.
When we know better we do better. Or at least we should. Professional learning can help teachers bring technology alive in their classroom. It can be a transformative shift that helps elevate learning and engage students. It is important to provide continuous professional development for the growing needs of both the student and teacher. In doing this, it keeps relevant technology and learning at the forefront. It helps develop the skills of the teacher and provide engaging and collaborative learning that enables teachers to enhance students’ creative inquiry and digital literacy skills.
References:
Burris, J. (2020). Childcare Directors’ Comfort and Interest in Technology and Professional Development. Journal of Research in Education, 29(2), 1–25.
Frazier, M. & Hearrington, D. (2017). The technology coordinator’s handbook (3rd ed). International Society for Technology in Education.
Giphy. Jane Lynch Tech Support GIF by NBC. https://media.giphy.com/media/xEgiEDCt8NY2rNsJQe/giphy.gif
Skarbeck, M. (2020). Bridging the gap between teachers, students, and technology with professional development. Classroom Management. https://www.dyknow.com/blog/bridging-the-gap-between-teachers-students-and-technology-with-professional-development/
Erica,
ReplyDeleteAs a school technology coordinator, I love how much advocacy you provide for the technology coordinators in this post. Fraizer and Hearrington (2017) note in their book that significant educational resources have to be invested to implement educational technology in the classrooms. This not only includes devices, but professional development and technical support as well. I have seen new programs not be implemented time and time again because teachers did not receive adequate training on it or they do not feel that they are savvy enough to figure out the logistics. I commend you for your firm stance on this subject matter and would be standing right beside you!
Katie
References:
Fraizer, M. & Hearrington, D. (2017) The technology coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education. 3rd edition.
Hey, Erica, I enjoyed your post! The thing that stuck out to me was when you mentioned "A TC should start with a needs analysis to help gauge where their staff is and what needs they may have. This will help create a PD menu and guide learning." That's a sure and accurate way to get an understanding of the staff needs. That will allow a technology coordinator to lend the support needed in the right way without guessing. "It is important for the technology coordinator to establish necessary levels of technical support services and to provide an effective rationale to leadership for why these service positions are necessary and should be maintained, even when budgets are tight" (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017, p.186). That's why I thought what you mentioned was so important because the technology coordinator must maintain the technical support no matter the budget. Having this real life gage of technical needs is a great way to maintaining that support.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
DeleteFrazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.