After listening to the session 6 podcast it didn't take me very long to think about the barriers that exist within my classroom. In my classroom I have access to 5 computers which is the norm for the upper grade classes at my site. My 5 computers are equipped with Microsoft Office and a Renaissance Program that my district adopted. For any other software programs that I want installed, I have to wait for approval from the district. This may take weeks before I get a response and even longer to be installed once approved. If I have a problem with my computers and or printer, its normally my job to fix it, my site does not have a techie to fix those problems, we have to wait until the district tech comes by (which is once a week if we are lucky). The hardware problems aren't so hard to fix if they are minor, but I don't have the time during school hours to sit and work on them. This is a problem for many teachers at my site. Most of them don't dare to attempt to fix their computer or printer problems on their own and don't like waiting for the district tech guy to come around so they don't bother with the computers at all. It seems to be more of a burden to them than it is worth.
All of our computers are linked to a network that is not always working properly which discourages many teachers at my site form even trying something new with technology. They figure why bother if the server is always down anyways. Which brings me to another barrier. With our server on the fritz so often, how can we use the technology that we have? I can use PowerPoint with the LCD projector, but if I try to print or link to the Internet, I have no connection. And when the server is down, I do not have access to many things that I have saved in my teacher folder.
The next barrier that I would have to point out is the lack of time I have for computers in the classroom. I try to have my students on the computers every day, but with 5 computers ( I'm not complaining because its more than many teachers seem to have) I can't get everyone on equally. And when my students are on the computer they are missing valuable instruction, and I can't limit the computers to those who are proficient in academics because that would definitely be unfair.
Another barrier that I have found at my school is the lack of training and support our teachers get in technology. We do get patted on the back for using it within our classroom, but those who don't have the training or background in technology have no where to start from. They are told they should be letting the students use the computers, but for what? If they don't know how the software programs work than how can they benefit their students?
It seems that there are many barriers at my site when it comes to technology. For some reason I don't really let it bother me. I just do what I need to do. If I have a printer problem, I stay late and fix it, If I need to have a software program installed, I harass my administrator until it gets done. My students use the computers regularly and I find time to catch them up on the other stuff usually at lunch time. I have made friends with my district tech guy, so when there is a problem I can't fix, I usually call him directly which doesn't always please my administrators, but hey, if there's something that needs fixing, why should me and my students have to wait?
1 comment:
The week 7 session deals with some of the issues you raise as barriers. I want to highlight what I see as a major leadership-related barrier. That is the fact that "you get patted on the back for using technology but.."
If technology really helps your school do its mission you should be recognized for doing that mission and how you get it done should be a part of the recognition. But treating it as an "extra" defeats the diffusion of the technology through the system as a tool that we use, and are expected to use because it is how we get the job done!
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