How to keep up with Technology

One of the major concerns I have with teaching with new technology is how teachers are going to be able to keep up with new, emerging technology in the classroom. I then read an article explaining why teachers are struggling. "From the university to the elementary classroom: students' experiences in learning to integrate technology in instruction" is an article that surveyed educators in the K-12 setting as well as the college setting to find effect ways to integrate new technology in a teacher-preparation curriculum. The article explains how most teacher-prep courses do not incorporate technology and that is what has caused the lack of knowledge in the classroom. There are programs that were created in order to help train teachers to work with computers like Preparing Tomorrows Teachers to Use Technology so many people do not think that more information is needed. The article then went into the specifics of the study. The study included 110 university students who were taking some type of technology class that was tied together with an education theme. They obtained their data through the use of surveys, participant observation, interviews, and student online discussion groups. The surveys had questions that focused on the student's "technology beliefs, technological proficiencies, teaching philosophy, use of technology for higher-order learning, and the opportunities for technology application during field placements"; while the interviews focused more one the students "personal experiences with technology, their mentor teachers' attitudes toward technology use, and computer configuration in their classrooms and the school sites."

From the data collected from the student participants showed that most students thought that their technology class had too much work. This could be a reason why so many teachers don't like to learn about technology, because it is so much work and they need that time to work on lesson plans and more. They also found that the students felt unprepared to begin incorporating technology in the classroom. Although they learned about how to use the hardware, they did not learn how to teach it to others. The students did however start to have a more positive attitude towards computers after taking the classes. It does give the students a little more confidence when they actually know something about the thing they are working on. The study suggest that teacher-preparation courses include "effective strategies for technology integration" in order to prepare teachers for the world of technology instead of throwing them out into a world they know little about.

I feel that this is a very important issue that must be addressed. I have a major concern with how I am going to use new technology in my classroom and with these types of programs that the study is suggesting to add, I think I would be a better teacher overall. I chose this article so other soon to be teachers could see that they are not the only ones that have problems with technology and that there are ways to help teachers, but only if we ask for them. I think teachers should demand more technology courses like the one I am in. Although most of the students do believe it is a lot of work, I believe it is worth the work for the knowledge. That is another reason why I chose this article. I want to show my peers in my Intro to computers in Education class, that this class is not a waste of time and is very important to becoming a great teacher!!!

Here is the link the the acticle http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=AONE&userGroupName=gale15690