The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Ring
In an effort to ensure that all educators are keeping up with technology, some schools have offered tech training for current teachers. But should it be mandatory? Though federal and corporate grants are available for such training programs, such as Microsoft's Partners in Learning program, schools that don't receive grants may need to hire outside specialists, which can get costly. Advocates of tech training believe it is money well spent, but others argue that these lessons are time consuming and ineffective and, without proper follow-up, easily forgettable. Should schools require tech training for every teacher, regardless of proficiency, or should the training be optional? Tell us what you think!
Should tech training be required for all current teachers?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 3, 2008 - 21:15.
Yes...but...Of course training should be required - but not just tech training. Professional development in general should be built into the work year for teachers. It is the job of administrators to continue to develop their staffs and make sure they are familiar with the latest trends, skills, studies, etc. I fear that our jobs will continue to become more challenging and professional and technology staff development will continue to be overlooked....
What????
Submitted by Paul (not verified) on May 10, 2008 - 16:08.
This is rather a dumb question isn't it?
A bit like saying should teachers be able to count to 100 or spell words with more than 4 letters!!
Crazy stuff...but yes teachers should be technology literate without a doubt.
What we need is the funding, the social and political will power to make it happen.
We should be supporting and training teachers who are not proficeint in technology. This doesn't mean send them on 3 day seminar and say Ok your done. It has to be on-going and worthwhile. It has to be used in the classroom (and should be).
Train our teachers, support their on going needs and provide the equipment to use this new knowledge and skillsin the classroom of evry school...ooops sorry we have a war to pay for...and another one brewing. Silly me I have my priorities all mixed up!
Oh well!
Tech training
Submitted by Raquel Figueroa (not verified) on May 9, 2008 - 07:03.
Absolutely! Being proficient in emerging technologies will not only strengthen and broaden what we bring to the classroom, it will give us another realm in which to relate to our students. If we expect our students to embrace learning, we must model those values as well. This includes being open to learning about the myriad of technologies that our students are so intruigued with.
Technology training
Submitted by Dan R (not verified) on May 8, 2008 - 04:59.
All school personnel should be trained in use of technology. The worst thiing to do is to stick your head in the sand and think that technology is going to go away. Teachers should be aware of the cutting edge of technology to keep in touch with their students. As a PLTW teacher, I have taught numerous students and fellow teachers how to utilize the latest tools in technology.
Tech training for all teachers
Submitted by Anonymous - from NJ (not verified) on May 8, 2008 - 04:01.
Teachers are doing a disservice to themselves and the students if they are not well-versed in the technological tools and applications available today. All the research show that we are becoming a collaborative world and that is not possible without technology. However, the training can’t be stand-alone courses without a continuum of training that includes applications of the tools into the curriculum. Therefore, you are learning how to solve the problem with the best tools available. With this training comes a hefty dose of ethics and responsibility training which will address moral issues for digital citizenship in this ever-changing world.
Top-down mandates will prove counter-productive
Submitted by Joel Zehrign (not verified) on May 7, 2008 - 17:20.
The advancement of technology in education must be a bottom-up, grass roots effort. Teachers will view required trainings as just another district/state/federal hassle, and they will not transfer their training to their daily practices.
Ed Tech geeks need to evangelize to their peers by sharing useful, timely tools.
Should tech training be required for all current teachers?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 5, 2008 - 19:02.
Interesting point. However, keep in mind that educational technology, as a discepline, is not just about the technological tools.......it's about effective teaching and meeting students learning needs (guided by instructional design principles). I know since I have a masters and Ph.D. in the field along with years of practical experience. Your school district's "techies" are not likely to be educational technologists, but rather LAN technicians, engineers, etc. Their concepts of technology isn't always focused on instructional desing, and teaching/learning theory. Individuals with a background in educational technology places teaching and learning first, not the technology. Educators have to understand that effective technology integration requires planning. It's not just about the "tools." Technology training that focus on integration, not just the "how to" side of technology, should be mandated. If teachers don't even make the effort to aquire technology skills with current and/or emerging technologies, then you will see more students sleeping at their desks, boring lectures, passive learning, and the list goes on. However, if the leadership does not have the vision or understanding of the role of technology in education, then you will continue to have "gaps" between educators technology use and student's motivation to learn with technology.
Finding the middle ground for technology adoption
Submitted by Frank (not verified) on May 8, 2008 - 10:57.
Having been a participant in both models, I think it is in the best interest of the school, and the students, to mandate that professional development for teachers in technology integration is a must. The key to making it successful is to provide enough leeway in the content so that each teacher can find something that will energize their classroom.
I find it ironic that schools have no problem mandating training in the use of new administrative tools for electronic attendance, report card completion, or curriculum mapping, but seem to draw the line when it comes to classroom integration, the very point where the rubber hits the road with student interaction and engagement.
Sometimes horses have to be led to water, its the only way to make them drink.
Should tech training be required for all current teachers?
Submitted by Jelina Haines (not verified) on May 12, 2008 - 19:40.
Being a parent and former school council member, I really think that teachers have to learn the modern technology and integrate this knowledge onto the teaching curriculum.
However due to funding cuts (Australia)in public education most schools rely on generosity of public donations and parents raising funds for the school. Volunteer parents were exhausted at the end. Unless if you are a rich parent that you can afford to pay your child school fees in private school IT is well integrate to teaching curricula.
Also, most heritage schools are very conservative and doesn't like radical change. I know it for the fact, because i tried and offer my knowledge in IT and graphics voluntarily for the school but it was rejected because it wasn't part of the curricula. There are lots of issues before you can convince teachers to integrate modern technology onto the classroom lessons.
Required technology training for educators
Submitted by Michael Joseph Matteucig (not verified) on May 7, 2008 - 14:50.
It is imperative that all educators, irregardless of area of expertise, must be trained in technology. Educators must learn to be multi-faceted and, thus, exhibit intellectual willingness and ability to not only learn technology, which is integrated in all areas of thematic learning, but to implement said technology for the purpose of enhancing our innate human ability to be creative.
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