Surprise! Tech Integration in the classroom DOES work! (Like we didn’t know that!) For most educators and administrators, it isn’t always easy to rebut the latest government report that says “Tech isn’t helping our kids learn.”
Is it easy? Well, no, it isn’t. It requires the 3-Ps: planning, patience, and professional development. No one can expect to plunk down hundreds of dollars of equipment and software in a classroom and three weeks later, magically all the students are making great strides in learning (apparently some still believe it works that way.)
Is it fast? Well, no it isn’t. Properly implementing technology takes time and training. Proper professional development is key when trying to integrate tech in the classroom. Without it, you’re almost certain to fail. Gains take time and patience as both teachers and students learn and grow with technology.
Is it necessary? YES, I believe it is. We are no longer trying to ‘keep up with the Jones” – we now have to keep up with the Chang’s, the Hu’s, the Singh’s, the Patel’s, the Petrov’s — you get the idea. We are living in a Global Community folks, and our students will be interfacing and communicating around the world, not just in our small towns, counties, states or even just the US. Our students need exposure and familiarity with technology tools for this reason alone. Also: research is starting to show that todays’ students are learning differently. A great read on this is Marc Prensky’s Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants.
Next time someone tries to pin you down and say that Tech Integration isn’t working, enlighten them with the following scientific studies and research:
Ed Tech has Proven Effective
Technology in Schools: What the Research Says
How to Lobby for Effective School Technology
The Keys to Successful School Software
