Digital Blog Post #L

Stages of Technology Integration

This section goes over the five stages, founded by a seminal study by the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Project in 1995. They are as followed: 

      1. Entry. In the entry stage a teacher is only beginning to learn the technologies needed for the classroom. Here they will be learning the very basics before they start to think about how to apply it.

      2. Adoption. This stage is where teachers will begin to blend the technology into their practices.
Their use of technology in the classroom is minimal.


      3.Adaptation. They are beginning to fully integrate new technologies into their classroom practices. In this stage they are using their knowledge pretty regularly.


      4. Appropriation. Teachers are confident in their knowledge and skills and are using the technology they've learned regularly as a tool inside and outside of the classroom.


      5. Invention. After teachers have become confident with what they are doing, they will begin to experiment. In this stage they are exploring new ways to use technology in and out of their classroom, as well as adding onto their personal skills. 

I'm probably hanging out in the entry level. I think I have a good knowledge of technology, especially after this semester, but haven't applied anything to an actual class....although I have created a couple mock lessons using technology. Maybe I'm in a purgatory of sorts between entry and adoption. I'm very excited to expand my knowledge and become a tech wizard in the teaching world between now and the next two years. I've seen a few things in my observations, but nothing speaking upon the "invention" aspect. I've seen teachers integrate lessons using online websites and using the online classroom available across the board. I wonder how much I missed out (tech wise) only being their one day or if the teachers I watched just didn't utilize those tools. 

Which brings me right into the next section, Technology Integration Issues. 

Their are six issues that directly affect teachers integrating technology into their classrooms. 

1. Administrative support and teaching style
2. Unwillingness to change favorite lesson plans
3. Reluctance to use technology in new lesson plans 
4. Use of technology as a reward or punishment
5. Use of technology as an add-on to other activities
6. Use of technology to separate students by ability groups

I can honestly see all of these things as possible reasons. The two I'm guessing happen most often are the unwillingness and reluctance to use technology in new lesson plans/add into favorite lesson plans. Teachers that have been working in the field for over 5 years began teaching with technology, but not on the same level as teachers entering the field today. The online classrooms, the interactive games, it can all seem a bit much to some, especially some old school teachers.

The one that I got caught up on was number 6- use of technology to separate students by ability groups. I wasn't completely sure of what that one meant. As explained in the book, it basically means that separating students this way (putting high achievers with each other and same for low achievers) is not beneficial because it reinforces a sense of haves and have-nots, as well as neglecting how using technology can being out the talents of low achievers.  

Lastly, is Becoming a Technology-Leading Teacher. There were a few ways brought up in this section to be successful in this, but I liked reading the sub-section titled Involving Students in Technology and Change. It stated that students are natural allies of teachers when it comes to ideas that involve technology. Kids are known to be very creative souls. Also...it's them having to do it. Wouldn't you think it's a good idea to get their input? I definitely do.Having their voices heard results in them feeling positive about themselves and therefor becoming more positive and production in their schools. Seems like a darn good plan to me. 

Credit to: Aj Cann on Flickr

"I want YOU to become a technology-leading teacher!" 

 Cann, A. (2008, August 28). Uncle Sam. Retrieved November 27, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajc1/2799103829/in/photolist-pwqrxa-5gm93R-6bxpCr-7PqEQK-qkMuE-cjyNZ-52YWBK-o3YYeE-eSz96h-8NVjhX-6Q4ptE-7vmrVf-f2WPZc-9dbZED-cTSivm-9Zu2cz-DbmxHo-hzLPh-f7VU7s-wMES6h-e1JauV-ktHrA6-JA4ksT-6WbcBP-qrHQQo-7rLCT4-idNWS9-7fbNuc-8tLNQe-eT7KbE-nPQ56G-8H22sM-3Y9cu-5ka2r-9GfRSS-bBFZGv-md5Ra-5ZoLnV-5DrKCh-78Vzvx-25431L-9YTN3G-duzjaN-p6FSen-hzLPf-4Wmysr-ne1NaU-a2adtS-eADtkN-698YaU

Today, T. (2016, April 24). Retrieved November 27, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmpaeUR4kd4

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.