Common Barriers to Technology Use
Some of the more common barriers to technology use at my site would be the inadequate upkeep of the equipment, the inconsistent access to the equipment, and the frustration over trying to learn to use it, getting excited about trying it for themselves, and then not being able to use it because it is not functioning properly. Dr. Newberry mentioned 3 barriers that surface more often than not lack of equipment, time and training. Of these three, the barrier that impacts me the most would be lack of time to implement and use to the best advantage for everyone concerned. I have received a lot of training in the use of, but actually having the time to use it to the fullest advantage is a hard thing to do. If not for the numerous meetings, trainings, and PTC's, there possibly would be enough time for implementing the use properly. Another problem is having the time to allow the students to effectively use the equipment. My district is a standards based district, which pretty much means we have to stick to our time line as close as possible. If this is done as it should be, there is no time to allow the students to use the computers within the classroom. An additional problem is finding the programs that allow the students to practice the concepts that are taught and tested on at all levels. Then there is the additional problem of keeping the students on task while they use the computers. With only two computers in the classroom for student use, it becomes difficult to continue teaching while allowing students to use them.
Solutions to the problems would be to have additional staff on hand to address the upkeep issues. We have one tech person on site and one that serves from the district office. The turn around on a maintenance request is approximately 2 weeks to a month. I was experiencing printer problems and computer freezing, I put in a request, and it took so long that I had to start carrying my laptop from home daily. Another solution would be to have the workshops on site and make it mandatory that sign-ups are done in each area of implementation (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) for whatever programs that are being used at the site. The solution to the time barrier would be to allow one of the weeks of staff development to implementing the technology within the classroom providing a beforehand submission of what you will be doing to the administrative person on campus that is in charge of the technology use. A means of verifying that this is being done would be to use the same strategy that is being used in this class, submitting some visual proof of what you did.
Activities for week 2/12/07
Tuesday 2/13: Tried to work out the problem with downloading my project focus 1.
Wednesday 2/14: Downloaded podcast.
Thursday 2/15: Worked on focus 2 project.
Saturday 2/17: Responded to podcast and student blogs.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Session 5
Best Practice
My best practice would have to be shared by three practices that I use. The first would be the grading program that I use, Grade Quick. This program makes my life as a teacher alot less stressful. The reason for this is because it does everything that I would normally do by hand. It computes my grades, allows me to create specified reports for just about anything that I need. The second best practice is the use of PowerPoint within the classroom setting. Being a secondary level teacher, I have to give repeat performances of the same lecture 6 times a day. The PowerPoint allows me to have the notes/activity available without having to redo them after problem solving. the third would be the use of my LCD projector. We all have those days when we just don't feel like lecturing, on those days I will put a worksheet or some other assignment on the LCD projector, give the students their instructions and turn them loose to complete the given task. This also frees me up to provide individual assistance to the students that need it.
The reason that I believe other teachers don't use the PowerPoint is because they feel that it takes too much time to prepare the slides. Some teachers have thought about using it when I them how it gives me time to help other students. They don't use the grading program because they have gotten use to calculating the grades in their own way. They look for flaws in the program instead of enjoying the freedom that it can actually give. I also believe that teachers don't like the use of the LCD because of the problems associated with technology. It seems like the time when the teacher decides to use the equipment, it isn't working properly.
Activities for the week of 2/5/07
Monday 2/5: Worked on project 1
Tuesday 2/6: Downloaded and listened to podcast, read classmates blogs
Thursday 2/8: Completed project, started project 2, and wrote response for Session 5
Sunday 2/11: Published blog
My best practice would have to be shared by three practices that I use. The first would be the grading program that I use, Grade Quick. This program makes my life as a teacher alot less stressful. The reason for this is because it does everything that I would normally do by hand. It computes my grades, allows me to create specified reports for just about anything that I need. The second best practice is the use of PowerPoint within the classroom setting. Being a secondary level teacher, I have to give repeat performances of the same lecture 6 times a day. The PowerPoint allows me to have the notes/activity available without having to redo them after problem solving. the third would be the use of my LCD projector. We all have those days when we just don't feel like lecturing, on those days I will put a worksheet or some other assignment on the LCD projector, give the students their instructions and turn them loose to complete the given task. This also frees me up to provide individual assistance to the students that need it.
The reason that I believe other teachers don't use the PowerPoint is because they feel that it takes too much time to prepare the slides. Some teachers have thought about using it when I them how it gives me time to help other students. They don't use the grading program because they have gotten use to calculating the grades in their own way. They look for flaws in the program instead of enjoying the freedom that it can actually give. I also believe that teachers don't like the use of the LCD because of the problems associated with technology. It seems like the time when the teacher decides to use the equipment, it isn't working properly.
Activities for the week of 2/5/07
Monday 2/5: Worked on project 1
Tuesday 2/6: Downloaded and listened to podcast, read classmates blogs
Thursday 2/8: Completed project, started project 2, and wrote response for Session 5
Sunday 2/11: Published blog
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Session 4
Diffusion of Innovation
Let's see... which type of innovator am I? I would be a cross between an early majority and a late majority innovator, leaning more in the direction of the early innovator. The reason I would fit into this area is that I am usually the person that stands to the side and says, "uh...no!" In the past, I would say that computers and I just don't mix, but as of lately, I have really begun to understand how much fun technology can be (and I can't really mess anything up that can't be fixed!!). As an early majority innovator, I am willing to see how the technology works and how user friendly it is before I decide to try the new technology. For example, MP3 players, I can't see the value of purchasing it to download music and/or books. In order for me to adopt something new, I would need to see the value behind it and I have yet to see or understand the need for MP3 players.
After looking at Linda's response I needed to come back and update my response. As far as my work environment, I would classify myself as an early adapter because I am one of a few who use technology in the classroom on a daily basis. I use it so much that when it is not working well for some of the others, the tech guy will call me to see if it is working well in my classroom!
Activities for the week of 1/29
Monday 1/29: Downloaded and listened to podcast
Tuesday 1/30: Looked at classmates blogs
Wednesday 1/31: Started making my PowerPoint for class
Thursday 2/1: Searched the web for sounds to download for my PowerPoint
Friday 2/2: Wrote response for this week
Sunday 2/4: Submitted response and responded to classmates blogs
Let's see... which type of innovator am I? I would be a cross between an early majority and a late majority innovator, leaning more in the direction of the early innovator. The reason I would fit into this area is that I am usually the person that stands to the side and says, "uh...no!" In the past, I would say that computers and I just don't mix, but as of lately, I have really begun to understand how much fun technology can be (and I can't really mess anything up that can't be fixed!!). As an early majority innovator, I am willing to see how the technology works and how user friendly it is before I decide to try the new technology. For example, MP3 players, I can't see the value of purchasing it to download music and/or books. In order for me to adopt something new, I would need to see the value behind it and I have yet to see or understand the need for MP3 players.
After looking at Linda's response I needed to come back and update my response. As far as my work environment, I would classify myself as an early adapter because I am one of a few who use technology in the classroom on a daily basis. I use it so much that when it is not working well for some of the others, the tech guy will call me to see if it is working well in my classroom!
Activities for the week of 1/29
Monday 1/29: Downloaded and listened to podcast
Tuesday 1/30: Looked at classmates blogs
Wednesday 1/31: Started making my PowerPoint for class
Thursday 2/1: Searched the web for sounds to download for my PowerPoint
Friday 2/2: Wrote response for this week
Sunday 2/4: Submitted response and responded to classmates blogs
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