Blog 6: Technology training
Many teachers in my school district cringe at the thought of technology training. Whether it is their lack or time, interest, or knowledge, teachers are often hesitant when required to attend technology training. Too many times, mandatory training is irrelevant to teacher practice or worse, the training is necessary, but inadequate. In the past three years, we have had three different student information systems. Each change lacked adequate and timely training. Unfortunately, this is the situation of many teachers across the country.
So, how can we ensure that our technology training is pertinent? Perhaps we should illicit our faculty and staff, and even ourselves, as trainers. Who better to know and understand our technology needs than we, ourselves? Though this suggestion sounds ideal, it takes a significant amount of effort for those planning and delivering such trainings.
Some important points to remember when planning technology training include content, delivery, and continued support. It is imperative that available training opportunities meet specific educational needs. You may wish to poll educators in your building seeking their opinions and interests regarding staff development topics. It is vital to address current needs which may include topics such as using digital cameras, evaluating Web sources, using Accelerated Reader, and locating and using new Web-based technologies.
When considering the design of the training, the most important thing is to keep it simple and easy to follow. You want your content to be pertinent and interesting. And, possibly even more important, you want to keep interest and learning alive. Support for participants should be made available beyond the initial technology training delivery.
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. I think you make a valid point that technology training needs to be interesting and pertinent. I took a technology class last year where I learned a lot. however, we had to do a series of tutorials that were pretty good but time consuming and boring. I remember thinking while I completed the tutorials that these are interesting features but if I don't use these tools often I will never remember how to do this! This even happens with software I use on regular basis. for example, I use InDesign a lot at work. There are certain things I rarely use, usually about once a year. It always takes me several tries before I remember how to use these features. I think a key component to incorporating new technology is offering continued support to help with some of these issues. Thanks!
I appreciated learning about the situation in your school, both about teacher attitude toward technology training and the lack of adequate training on the new student information systems. The latter is unacceptable! I can’t believe they changed systems for three years in a row and didn’t help teachers understand how to use the new systems. Perhaps they wouldn’t have had to change so frequently if they had provided proper guidance in the first place. I also like your graphics, for interest. I agree that polling or surveying staff for actual needs is the best option for selecting topics. Teachers are more likely to want to attend professional development on a topic they themselves choose and one that is immediately applicable. I conducted an informal survey at the elementary school where I perform my field experience, asking teachers what topic they would like to see as a professional development opportunity in their school. All wanted something they could immediately apply in their classroom. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. Three different student information systems in three years….I can’t imagine the time and money involved at so many different levels. I agree with you, it’s no wonder teachers would cringe. Learning something new, especially out of your comfort zone, really needs to have purpose and personal value. What’s the use if it is going to change next year? I like your idea of polling for training topics. That is as simple as an email and helps you to see the needs of the faculty and what is important to them. I agree that follow-up would be an important step in the process as well. Instruction doesn’t end at the end of the class. To make that bold step in their own applications, it would be much easier knowing that there is continued support. Thanks for the great ideas!
ReplyDeleteShannon,
ReplyDeleteYour post was spot on. In a previous course we were asked to design professional development for school staff and many of the suggestions you made in your post mirrored the suggestions made by the professionals. Too often the mandated training that teachers are required to go through meets a limited number of participants needs. We all have so much responsibility and so little time that this perceived waste of time causes teachers and staff to become jaded and frustrated. I like your idea of having the teachers conduct the training and making sure that the training meets the needs of the staff. Thanks for a great post!
Suzanne
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I agree, the use of technology and the training of key points are very important. Constant training is the only way to ensure all teachers understand new, innovative changes that can enhance their instruction. Multimedia is an exciting and creative way to bring students into a lesson.
The challenge educators have is not only understanding and use the technology, but having the technology available at both school and home. This can be a bump in the road for educators who must work on lessons and multimedia presentations at home.
Again, I enjoyed your post and appreciate the use of pictures.
Shannon-
ReplyDeleteInteresting post on technology training for teachers. You are so right in your comment that much training is either irrelevant or inadequate. I spoke with a teacher the other day who was commenting on an inservice that she had to attend. The morning session was of no use to her, but the afternoon session was very important- but since the morning had gone over time they cut short the one that she could have used. Made me just shake my head. I think asking teachers for input and suggestions to make the training relevant to their needs is one of the most crucial steps- with providing continuous support a close second. Continuous support can be something as simple as providing a cheat sheet to having ppt presentations online. Great points with good graphics.