ETEC Reflection 6

Planning and technology.

This week has been a lot to mental digest. With the implementation of technology, there are many moving parts that must be in place and function for success. Before anything can be done a plan must be in place.  What do the teacher, parents, and administration want to achieve with technology? How much training do teachers need to properly implement technology? There are many questions that need to be answered when developing a technology plan. Teachers play a key role. They must be trained to use technology. I have heard of teachers that want to implement technology, but they do not know-how. There are barriers of time, money, and others that prevent implementation.

In addition, technology is not the beginning or end-all with technology. A student can download a physics book and have all the knowledge at their fingertips but can then utilize that knowledge. Technology is a game-changer for students only if they and the teachers are working together. TPACK is a framework that focuses on the blending of pedagogy, content knowledge, and technology. This is a great model for teachers to follow, everything in balance. This is not easy to do and takes time and planning.