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.
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.
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.
