Getting the Best Out of Technology for Education

 

Getting the Best Out of Technology for Education

 Finding the Best Computer and Devices

When looking for the best technology for education, it is important research devices that are cost effective and meets the amenity needs that your organization is looking for. The most important thing is that the devices are compatible with your infrastructure and can be sustained for at least five to seven years. When looking for a device, we sometimes get caught up in all the gadgets that come along with the devices. However, most of these gadgets are not needed for the purpose of education. Keep this in mind when you are researching the devices. It is important to look for bundle deals and sales to get more ‘bang for your buck’. It is also a good idea to do look at the reviews of the devices and do a comparative analysis of the features of the computers.

The FCC’s E-rate program makes technology more affordable to schools and libraries with discounts ranging from 20 to 90 percent (fcc.gov, 2023). After the schools do an assessment of their technology needs, their requests are submitted for bids. However, the bid requests and bidding processes must comply with FCC rules and state and local procurement requirements (fcc.gov, 2023).

Digital Safety

The FCC requires schools to certify that they have an internet safety policy in place that includes technology protection measures. These measures must block or filter internet access that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors (fcc.gov, 2023). Students must also be educated on digital citizenship and internet safety. If these requirements are not met, schools can be disqualified for E-rate funding.

Device Preferences Among Students

            A recent Oregon State University Study was done to explore what types of devices students were using to engage in their classes and why students preferred these devices. The research was done for the purpose of developing online materials and to understand how much effort should be put into developing these materials. Students overwhelmingly preferred laptops for accessing their learning management system (LMS) homepage, viewing video content, for learning simulations, and for games (ecampus.oregonstate.edu). Among some of the reasons they gave, ease of use and effectiveness were the most important factors for their preference. Not surprisingly, (in my opinion), smartphones were least likely to be chosen as an effective tool for accessing the LMS, viewing videos, and learning with simulations and games (ecampus.oregonstate.edu). Now had this been a survey for preferences on viewing social media, I believe the results would come out differently.

    For more information on Digital Safety and the E-Rate program, check out these sites.

FCC E-Rate Program

Children's Internet Protection Act

References:

Children's internet protection act (CIPA). Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

Ecampus, O. S. U. (n.d.). Student device preferences for online course access and multimedia learning – Study – Ecampus Research Unit. – Study – Ecampus Research Unit | Oregon State Ecampus | OSU Degrees Online. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/research/study/student-device-preferences/

E-rate: Universal Service Program for Schools and libraries. Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/universal-service-program-schools-and-libraries-e-rate

 

 

The Problem with Technology-Related Professional Development in Education

 

   

Education technology is an integral part of the education industry. If the pandemic has proven nothing else, it has provided indelible proof that education technology is here to stay and the impact it has on student learning and academic success is irrefutable. 

 picture retrieved from: https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/   

            Recent years have seen a great evolution the technological world, which makes it essential for teachers to be innovative in engaging students in learning (Lin, 2021). A positive outcome of the pandemic is that educators were thrust into the technology age and were forced to reshape their practice. Meetings did not look the same, and neither did learning platforms. Teachers [as well as Administrators and District Leaders] had to navigate learning environments that were brand new to everyone, including virtual and hybrid learning (Klein, 2021). The swift move to a fully digital platform was uncomfortable even for those proficient with technology, but we all banded together to help make sure that students and educators alike were able to thrive through this era. The problem now is that teaching, and learning are going back to normal instead of going back to better (Klein, 2021). Teachers have resorted to what is most comfortable for them as educators, which means for the not-so-tech-savvy teachers a repertoire of worksheets and seat work. However, student engagement goes down the tubes as does academic achievement. The use of technology is important for today’s learners because it improves their communication skills and performance in school and provides them with a fun and engaging learning experience [that the old system of education cannot provide] (Lim, 2021). This makes technology professional development critical to creating that success.

            The possibility of technology positively affecting teaching and learning is related to support teachers get for teaching (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017). However, the level and means of providing professional development is flawed. All the evident over the years has been that most professional development is not doing the job because it is not personalized, and the priority is decided by the administrative team as opposed to relying on developing PDs centered around what the teacher needs (Klein, 2021). The biggest issue (for me at least) is teacher get a one-time professional development session on a new tool or strategy and are expected to take that information to work ‘magic’ in their classrooms. The average teacher will lean on what they know if they are not taught to properly implement and integrate technology into the curriculum. Having a strong professional development program to support digital learning is critical to academic success (Frazier & Hearrington, 2017). It is also important that training is practical and customized to how teachers teach as well as to how teachers learn (Klein, 2021). Just as we would differentiate instruction based on the learning needs of students, teachers, have different learning needs when it comes to their experience with technology and their technological skills. Professional development should therefore be relevant to their needs. Assessing the needs of educators as well as getting their input will help with creating a plan for professional development. Ongoing support is also critical if the expectation is that teachers fully integrate technology into daily learning. The following links will provide you with resources assessing professional development needs as well as planning and implementing professional development.

 ISTE Standards for Educators

Kirkpatrick Method for Evaluating Professional Development

Learning Forward Seven Standards for Professional Learning

Download of all ISTE Standards

References

 

Bray, B. (1999, May 1). Ten steps to effective technology staff development: Getting teachers on board. Edutopia. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.edutopia.org/ten-steps-effective-technology-staff-development

Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.

Klein, A. (2021, May 19). How to fix 7 fatal flaws in tech professional development. Education Week. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-to-fix-7-fatal-flaws-in-tech-professional-development/2021/05

Lim, A. (2021, September 20). Educational technology: How important is it in today's education industry? eLearning Industry. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://elearningindustry.com/how-important-is-technology-in-todays-education-industry#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20using%20educational,well%20as%20their%20physical%20health.

  

Social Media Dos and Don'ts for Educators

 We can go almost anywhere... a restaurant, concert, beach, library, park, or even our couch and you will undoubtedly find someone perusing social media. It's the first thing we do when we wake up in the morning and often the last thing we do at night. In between those hours there is a lot of swiping, scrolling, sharing, commenting, liking and messaging. Social media use has some good factors, but there can be negative kickback from social media use as well. This is why it is important to know where to draw the line. This is especially true for educators where things can quickly turn from inspirational teacher and super colleague to the being the focus of a personnel investigation... or even worse, you can find yourself unemployed. weareteachers.com gives of some great dos and don'ts for social media.

credit: https://uwaterloo.ca/arts-computing-newsletter/spring-2021/feature/data-sharing-within-social-media-call-action

Do's Stay in contact with your students through the power of texts.
This offers an opportunity for improving their academic performance. You can also send reminders about due dates, answer questions about homework, and give tips about an exam. These texts should always be sent through a third-party app like Remind or ClassDojo.

• Don't connect directly with students.
  Although this may seem obvious, there is always a story about a teacher who has gotten in trouble for being too friendly. No matter how pure your intentions, never give a student your personal cell number to text each other. Do not follow a student's social media account and refrain from commenting on something a student has posted online [unless it is related to an academic assignment].
  
  
• Do follow colleagues you know, respect and like.
  Networking and staying connected to your peers can not only improve your work environment, but can be a powerful means of collaboration. 
  
  
• Don't follow colleagues you don't know, don't respect, or don't like.
  This can be considered trolling. 
  
  
• Do share what you are proud of.
  This gives insight to who you are beyond the classroom. But careful not to post anything personal, controversial or inappropriate, however.
  
  
• Don't share personal pictures or tag other teachers.
  Steer away from booze pics and pics on the beach if your platform is public. Students and parents will most definitely be checking them out. If other teachers want to share something, leave it to them. 
  
  
• Do encourage students to make the most of their social media accounts.
  This can provide a means for creative storytelling. Furthermore, using social media platforms as the foundation for class assignments, can show students there is more to social media that duck lips and selfies.
  
  
• Don't use social media to post negative reflections of your profession.
  Using social media to complain about students, administrators or the excessive work hours can start a PR crisis. The only narrative about our profession should be of caring for kids, working hard and enjoying our craft.

Source: https://www.weareteachers.com/dos-donts-social-media-for-teachers/