There are so many challenges related to technology change, with many of those challenges not having anything to do with the technology itself. The burden of finding affordable technology that everyone is comfortable with is a challenge that has never been faced before. Check out this video on some of the challenges and amazing things that are happening with technology.
I have selected four technology related challenges to explore in this post. They are:
- Money
- Parents
- Training
- Administrators
This is obviously one of the most important factors when dealing with technology change. However, it is almost impossible to address because funding is determined by the government. Each district must decide how to use these funds appropriately. Elected officials are really the only ones that can change how districts are funded.
Proposed Solution:
Besides electing officials that are open to and willing to increase budgets, the only avenue I see is ensuring that the money is spent effectively. Have trusted staff (teachers) review any new software systems to make sure they are user friendly. Wasting money on systems that no one on the staff feels are efficient is irresponsible. Also, administrators can look at technology to save money (E-books).
Parents
Some districts and schools do have the funding to incorporate technology into their schools but do not have the support of the parents. Some parents reject new technology because they do not understand how it works and how it would be used. Others fear for the privacy of their child and worry about access to inappropriate material. I spoke with a teacher that has worked in the U.S. and Denmark. Beth Borten said, "My students in Europe had google accounts and e-mail addresses 5 years before students here. They were doing project-based learning and flipped classrooms years before anyone in the states. The problem I ran into with the same age group of students in America was that their parents and the district weren't ready to give 4th and 5th graders e-mail accounts. I started asking for it in 2011. I finally got it in 2015, and only with closed access e-mail addresses".
Proposed Solution:
Educate parents on what the new technology is and how it will be used in class. Also, make sure privacy concerns and access to content is addressed. I believe most parents will accept changes if they understand how it will be used to help their child.
Training
Another problem is making sure our teachers are properly trained. If you do not feel comfortable with a new system, you will most likely resist the change and continue to use your old system if possible. An article (http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol9/910-bohn.aspx) I read believes there are four types of resistant teachers:
- Those who believe administration will not help or understand them.
- Those who don't have confidence in their teaching and don't know how to improve.
- Those who prefer traditional methods and believe change would require too much work.
- Those who lack the desire or motivation to improve.
http://www.teachingquality.org/sites/default/files/users/user62/October%2023%202012
Proposed Solution:
Teachers need to be consulted when implementing new tech systems. This makes them feel a part of the process and you get real feedback from the operators. Ensure that the teachers have plenty of opportunities to learn how to use the new software. It is very stressful to try and learn a new system on the fly. Make sure that there is someone that can properly coach the teachers through the new systems. Confidence is key when using new technology. This video was interesting to me because it talked about teachers learning from students. I think some teachers do not like to ask students for help. This is probably ego or fear of losing control. Students take pride in being able to help their teacher.
http://bcove.me/jk77w7kr
Administrators
Administrators can be resistant to change as well, but not always because they resist change. Sometimes it is because of the cost or the backlash from parents and/or teachers. Some administrators fear that if they change, their productivity will be affected. Others are more concerned about he dollar amount.
Proposed Solution:
The dollar amount can not really be adjusted. However, as stated before, most people only fear what they do not understand. If everyone is kept in the loop as necessary and everything is explained properly, there is a much better chance of success.
http://bcove.me/jk77w7kr
Administrators
Administrators can be resistant to change as well, but not always because they resist change. Sometimes it is because of the cost or the backlash from parents and/or teachers. Some administrators fear that if they change, their productivity will be affected. Others are more concerned about he dollar amount.
Proposed Solution:
The dollar amount can not really be adjusted. However, as stated before, most people only fear what they do not understand. If everyone is kept in the loop as necessary and everything is explained properly, there is a much better chance of success.
