Ed tech just isn't what it used to be.
By Jim Forde
Let me ask a few key questions that I think will point out why ed tech just isn't what it was a few years back..1) Has the size of the tech support department in your district recently decreased?
2) Does getting some paper or ink for your computer involve a high security screening and the donation of a pint of blood?
3) Do you have an tech budget with which you could not buy a single upgraded version of software for your classroom or lab?
4) Would the suggestion of attending a technology conference be laughable?
The first reason that Ed tech isn't what it used to be is because resources have tightened and ed tech is seen as expendable. (This also happens to be true of music, enrichment, and other "exploratory" subject areas.)
Here are few more questions.....
5) Have the number of tech fans using the phrase "preparing kids with 21st century workplace skills" dissipated? Does anyone remember the SCANS report of 1989?
6) Does anyone remember what a district tech plan is and is it likely that it has been followed in the last two years?
7) Has anyone expressed an interest in the constructivist approach to learning recently?
The next reason that Ed tech isn't what it used to be is because curricular priorities, pedagogical approaches and professional reward systems have taken a severe swing toward standardized testing, especially in light of the recent No Child Left Behind regulations.
So....what can we do about these shifts in attitude?
As advocates for the use of educational technology with kids we are going to have to do a better job of communicating the value of what we do with kids. In the mid-90's there were tech advocates coming out of the wood work now we have to be more proactive. We should remind people of the earlier rationalizations for the use of tech in schools. They need to realize our role in creating digitally literate and safe computers users. They need to understand the role that school's play in closing the digital divide by providing access and training. Maybe we could bring the community into our buildings for "family technology nights" to demonstrate the enthusiasm and creativity unleashed by the use of computers with our students? That would communicate more than any reading about constructivism or the value of getting kids into the "flow". Parent s know "good stuff" when they see it.
Also, we need acknowledge the need for accountability that recent legislative changes have imposed upon schools. We can't wish it away. We need to document where our use of tech meets the defined state standards for educational technology and across the curriculum. We should be able to show how technology is being deployed to ensure that no child is left behind. This is particularly true as we all look at the data as it is disaggregated by race and socioeconomic status. I believe that tech could be doing more to help. If it is clear that tech is addressing well defined curricular goals and is helping to move kids forward it will be more painful to cut.
Lastly, we could ask the right people why they supported a commitment to technology in the past but have recently changed their position. What has changed? Is it ALL about the money or has there been a deeper philosophical change? Did they really think that when they installed the computers a few years back that they weren't going to need to support upgrading, maintenance and on-going staff development in order to keep them a vital resource? What is it about the much ballyhooed tech plan (complete with photo ops for all living politicians within a 100 mile area) that they didn't understand? Ugh.
The fact of the matter is that it hasn't been pretty for us and it isn't going to get any better (at least in my region) anytime soon. If we really believe, and can prove, that ed tech is valuable we need to become highly professional "squeaky wheels". This will ensure that when budget time comes around we will continue to get the "grease" we need to do great things for kids through the use of technology.
That is the bottom line..........isn't it?
All the best!
Jim Forde :-)
edtechnot.com
