Why the negative feelings towards technology...?

5B. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others

In sharing some of my technology thoughts with other educators, I was totally taken back by the negative comments and feelings towards using technology in the classroom.  I addressed a few fellow educators in the Health/P.E. department along with other teachers on the floor I teach on and the amount of people that felt technology and education are not meant to be mixed together was not what I was prepared for.

I simply brought up the ideas of introducing technology on a larger spectrum and made a point that if we all were on the same page and using similar technology along with pushing the importance of it for their futures, it would make the learning experience that much better for the students.  To be truly accurate, it seemed to me that some of the older, more experienced educators are against technology while the younger teachers welcome this shift in the classroom.  I think the teacher that has been around for 15-20 years is set in their ways and potentially afraid to learn new technology (outside of a projector and DVD player).   Younger educators that I work with seem to already implement the technology they have access to.

This was something I was not really expecting to encounter and at this point am somewhat unsure of how to go about encouraging technology use and trying to show other educators how powerful and important it is to our students' future.  I requested a quick meeting with the principal to discuss this issue.  I have no problem taking the lead in technology and attempting to show others some of the new applications out there for educators (for example, only a few teachers I work with have even heard of "voice thread"...).

Has anyone experienced this?  If so, how have you handled it? What steps did you take in trying to explain to other educators the importance of technology in the classroom?

-Ken

Ken's Health Class GAME Plan

NETS-T Goals:

2A. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

5B. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others

As educators, our job is to give students the best opportunity to learn and have a positive, influential learning experience.  The modern day student, whether it is a 2^nd grader or junior in High School, should be exposed to today’s technology.  Technology is the future and for our students entering the workforce, an essential skill to proficient at for success.  Using 2.0 web tools for today’s student is much like previous generations labor workers being able to use their hands; without the basic knowledge and skills, one can not take the next step in the learning process.  It is imperative that we as educators expose students to the technology at our disposal.  This will give students the necessary practice to master these technological skills and create a better learning experience for each individual. 

I have chosen the NET-S areas 2A and 5B, listed above, to further develop classroom education and student technology use.

The goals I have for my classroom is to help students further understand the negative effects that using and abusing tobacco have on the lungs and body.  In doing so, technology in the form of a computer program, will enable the students to take a “3D virtual fieldtrip” inside of the lungs and other parts of the body to further develop their understanding.  In allowing the students to examine and choose their own paths of discovery, this will create a better learning environment and allow each specific student to create a unique experience at their own pace and discretion.

The action is a simple, yet effective strategy to allow students this experience.  To begin with, the program “Take a Trip into the Body: Exploring Tobacco Abuse” must be obtained and loaded on the computers.  It is also imperative to book the computer lab for two to three days during the Tobacco Unit.  After the students have acquired a basic understanding of tobacco products, an introduction to the program will be performed using the classroom Smart Board.  Students already have usernames and passwords for the school system, eliminating one of the steps needed to ensure students can access each computer.  The classes will go down to the lab at their respective period and begin exploring the interactive, 3D program and navigate through the menus however he or she wishes to do so. 

I will monitor the activity simply by making my way around the room and observing the students and taking notes on each class and how they used the program.  A nice addition to the computer program is after each student has concluded his or her exploration; a small quiz/review will be generated by the program depending on what each student did that day.  The quiz/review is saved to the master computer used by the teacher where I can see how each student has progressed.  This will be very interesting and will directly allow the educator to see the students progress class by class. 

For myself, I will collaborate with other educators that I know use this program.  It was recommended to me by a fellow Health teacher in a local district that has had great success using it.  I am unsure whether or not other programs are available (example, alcohol and body, pregnancy and the body, etc.) and depending how this program goes, if more are available, I will utilize them and make any adjustments from the notes I will take and the students recorded progression.

Resources:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for
teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved on January 12, 2012 from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx