When integrating technology into the pedagogical practices of a teacher, there are several different ideas that must be considered in the development of the teacher's skills with technology. These ideas revolve around knowledge, confidence,beliefs, and culture relating to technology and the environment that the teacher is in. Most of the practices of different professionals today have shifted to reflect the increase in technology and software available. For example, a mechanic now hooks a car up to a software program that gives a read out of what the problem with the car system is. If I take my car to the shop, I expect that the mechanic will have the equipment and no-how to use it. Why does this not extend into the classroom of the 21st century. Shouldn't our schools and teachers be equipped with this new technology and no how, just like our mechanics and doctors and other professionals? These other professionals must learn how to use the new technology. Both those that are in school learning the trade and those in the field currently practicing. How these two different groups learn how to use and integrate the technology is approached in similar and different ways. For pre-service teachers, learning the technology is fairly routine. Because schools try to stay current with the trends, they are equipped with the materials needed to teach students. And younger individuals (those in college) are also more versed in technology to begin with. What these students lack is the knowledge of how to apply this technology to teaching because they do not have a basis in the classroom. They must increase their confidence in using technology by observing the use of technology in classrooms or teaching small groups in classrooms. The beliefs that they have that must be changed or only those that students come in with regarding their own K-12 experience usually. Their cultural change refers to how the technology will be taught in the program, which is hopefully by integrating it into the entire work being done and not in a single class. The current in-service teachers must also learn how to use and implement technology but they face other difficulties that pre-service teachers do not. In-service teachers have the existing PCK that they can utilize to help apply the information they are learning to the classroom. They however lack the self-efficacy in themselves and their use of technology to actually teach in the classroom. It was found that the longer that the teachers were given to learn about the technology and implement it slowly, the more successful the process was. In-service teachers must also change their way of thinking that they have set in their minds from years of teaching, which for teachers who have been serving longer may prove to be tougher. It is also important that in-service teachers use the culture of the schools that they teach in to their learning process. In both the in-service and pre-service cases, the important part is that there is professional development and training that is done to help teachers change their beliefs to best utilize the technology.
One thing I had never thought about in regards to pre-service teachers and learning technology was how not having the pedagogical knowledge of teaching in the classroom would effect how effectively they can apply what they are learning to teaching. I also have just had in my mind that I will have a better understand and will be able to use technology better when I get out of school because I don't have those PCK, but this article instead looks at this lack of PCK and a hinderance in a way. And that makes sense. Without the background of how students learn, what is taught, a basis of activities to use in teaching, etc it is harder to apply the technology from the get go. I can be quick and effective with the technology but if I am stumbling trying to reach the students and come up with activities, then I am not really any better off. Definitely food for thought, and something else to think of when applying the things I learn to my future classrooms - how can I apply the technology I am using to classroom activities and other learning issues that I will face.
No comments:
Post a Comment