In my workplace I am always encouraging teachers to use new technologies. I have held trainings and provided individual assistance. The enthusiasm is there, but the teachers may use it one time and that’s it. The problem I hear from them is there just is not enough time in class or they have various discipline issues in their classrooms that make it hard to use technology. Some teachers are just not interested in learning anything new and it can be frustrating especially when we know that technology can help and motivate our kids.
In using Keller’s ARCS model, I could have generated satisfaction for using the new technology. As stated by Driscoll (2005), “Opportunities to use newly acquired skills or knowledge in meaningful ways allow for the natural consequences of learning.” I could have showed the teachers some ways that this could actually help them in their everyday classroom experiences. I could have also connected the students learning styles to the technology. Another thing I could have done would be to continuously provide individual assistance to help them build confidence in using the new technology.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Carol I feel the same way. Some teachers do not want to learn anything new so I make my class technology innovative to demonstrate that these tools are useful. Now the district funding is very small so I write grant proposal to enhance my funding since I am a non-profit school foundation. Val
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel! When I was teaching I ran into several teachers who made the same excuses. In reply I would say that we all have the same hours in the day to do what we do why not make it interesting, fun, and intriguing to our audience so that it may not only enhance but put a passion in their learning?! I hate this excuse! It is no harder to plan with technology than it is without it. In fact I think it is a lot easier when you do plan with technology.. some of those behavior problems that the teachers are talking about more than likely would disappear if their students weren't bored and were faced with an interesting and relate-able challenge.
Sherry
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when my school provides in-service courses that we are required to attend. The courses are not ever relevant to our specific subjects we teach. So yes, I agree that you should show some examples of how to use the technology by subject. Then, the teachers would see examples of using the technology that would be relevant to their subjects and would provide more satisfaction by using them in class.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteYou must have struck a nerve when you brought up the fact that many of us attend work shops and leave with the best intentions, often failing miserably when we return to our rooms. I have been guilty of not using what I was learning and then as more time flew by I was inundated with newer things to incorporate. Many times those that determine the content of work shops are so out of tune with the classroom environment that the workshops do not pertain or can not be applied.
Now, being on the flip side trying to get faculty members to try new technologies I can see how frustrating it is when something really cool could be incorporated and people make excuses. We all have the same amount of time in a day, it is just how you decide to spend it. I choose to avoid the faculty room and often work through prep and lunch. I find that I get more accomplished and am able to leave at the end of the day knowing I did my best.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteOffering assistance to teachers that want to know more is helpful, but I have discovered it can also be time consuming. I propose you have designated times/days in order for you not become overwhelmed by what can become a revolving door to your workspace.
The fact that you are trying to provide constant assistance to the teachers for the technology is AWESOME! I applaud your effort! How is it then, that you ensue that the technology is being utilized in their classrooms and they are not simply attending the help meetings?
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! My coworkers also state that time is always an issue. Time is an issue for me, but I do my best to make time for instruction that actually works for all of my students. Direct instruction is not always the best way to teach our students. They need to be engaged and excited about what they are learning. Technology presents them with these opportunities.
Holly