Technology is vital in the workplace. This trend will only continue. Because education must prepare students for the next phase in life, schools must instruct students on how to use technology effectively and appropriately.
The greatest benefit to using technology is its immense capability. From podcasting, to recording lectures and slides, blogging, creating web pages…the options seem to be limitless. Students also enjoy the use of technology. It has even been shown to engage passive learners.
The greatest threat to technology use in the classroom setting is not funding. It is not the decisions concerning platforms, hardware, software, networking, or whether or not to provide teachers with LCD projectors and smartboards. While these are obvious considerations and issues that must be addressed, the crucial determinant of whether technology succeeds or fails in the classroom is the teacher. Fullan (1982) stated that "educational change depends on what teachers do and think--it's as simple and complex as that."
To overcome this issue, teachers must learn to use technology. This requires an investment of time, energy, and the willingness to change their present teaching style. Effective models to emulate for the integration of technology into the curriculum must also be a part of the technology implementation at a school.
Currently with such a great focus on teacher quality, it is not surprising that the teacher makes the difference...even with technology.
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