The Reluctant Learner Overcoming the real-life obstacles and resistance to integrating technology into curricula

1. The Reluctant LearnerOvercoming the real-life obstacles and resistance to integrating technology into curricula By Alix Peshette, Linda Skaug, Mica Brown, Jerry Weaver

2. “Our third-fourth combination teacher quietly stated to me: “After I finish writing the 12 daily sets of lesson plans I need for next week, grading my papers, running off two language tests, two reading tests and two math tests for next week; I’ll see if I have time to search the internet for an appropriate site for social studies.” Kimberly Simms English teacher, Technology Coordinator Monticello High School, Louisiana

3. Obstacles and Resistance • Fear • Lack of knowledge and training • Lack of time • Lack of resources • hardware and software support • Lack of motivation • Close to retirement - why learn now?

4. NameYourFear! • Fear of humiliation - in front of students, parents, community, administration • Fear of knowing less than your students • Fear of not knowing how to allocate limited computer resources in the classroom

5. Opportunities for Humiliation • You will mess up in front of the class • You will be publicly judged by students, parents, peers and administration • What if there are technical glitches?

6. Dealing with“The Humiliation Factor” • Everyone is human and so are you! • Practice, practice, practice! • Model the lesson for colleagues • Glitches happen - live with it, be flexible, and have a Plan B.

7. Conquering Your Fear…of knowing less than your students! • Teachers can model a life-long learner philosophy (no one knows everything!) • Use student expertise for peer coaching in the classroom • Have an student incentive program for sharing knowledge with all learners in the classroom

8. Debugging the Lack of Knowledge and Training • Select on-site technology mentors • Establish support groups via interactive environments (Tapped In, Phorum, etc.) • Use on-line tutorials/training • Attend face-to-face classes • Attend conferences and workshops • Go to district in-services

9. Lack the Time? Find the Time! • Use on-line tutorials - work at your own pace • Fund release time • Dedicate staff development days to technology • Give stipends for technology workshops that result in a curriculum product

10. Mining for Resources • Design techniques for the one-computer classroom • Effectively use what you have • Solicit funds: grants, PTA, business partners and community sources • Solicit donations of used computer equipment • Use Net Day or similar volunteer programs for wiring/digital grant • support • training • software

11. Grow Your own...Hardware and Software Support • Techno-savvy teachers at your site • Techno-whiz kid students • District personnel • Business partners • College internships • Parent volunteers • Retired people with technology skills

12. Overcome Those ‘Ole Retirement Excuses Learning technology can... • rejuvenate your creativity • develop a post-retirement second career, business opportunity or new skills for personal growth • pair you up to share your other skills with an enthusiastic newer technology-savvy teacher

13. MotivatetheUn-Motivated • Learn technology to meet personal needs: ie; learn e-mail to contact family and friends • Receive recognition, pay and equipment • Become enthused by the technology “Big Picture” • Enjoy the bright light of student success • Observe another teacher who uses technology creatively and effectively

14. Our School Site Technology Plan • Step 1 - Address teacher fears during In-services using group discussions, role playing, and skills assessment, etc… • Step 2 - Develop a site-wide technology plan with input and buy-in from all stakeholders.

15. Step 3 - Develop a climatethat encourages trust, risk-taking, and cooperative learning with the technology - make technology fun! • Step 4 - Make time available for learning; • Instructional minutes, staff development days, release time, stipends. • Colleague share fairs - see what others are doing.

16. Step 5 - Make the environment Technology-Resource Rich! • Put technology tips in the staff newsletter and school web page. • Support conference attendance • Provide opportunities to preview software and uses

17. Step 6 - Offer incentives! • Give district staff development credits • Offer stipends • Use technology hours for 150 hours of Professional Growth for credential renewal • Encourage staff to take computers home over the summer/break.

18. Step 7 - Establish Curriculum Goals • Create special interest groups • by grade level • subject area • technology expertise or experience • Have staff members develop and implement a technology-based unit or lesson plan

19. A Final Student-Focused Thought… SCANS has focused on one important aspect of schooling: what they called "learning a living" system. In 1991, they issued their initial report, What Work Requires of Schools. As outlined in that report, a high-performance workplace requires workers who have a solid foundation in the basic literacy and computational skills, in the thinking skills necessary to put knowledge to work, and in the personal qualities that make workers dedicated and trustworthy.

20. Support Resources LearnLots Tutorials http://www.learnlots.com/webskins/ CNET Help.com http://www.help.com/ Tripod.com http://www.tripod.lycos.com/ Angelfire.com http://angelfire.lycos.com/

21. Bibliography Sandholz, et al. (1997) Teaching with Technology: Creating Students-Centered Classrooms. New York: Teachers College Press. McKenzie, Jamie. (1999) How Teachers Learn Technology Best. Bellingham: FNO Press. Lewis, Laurie, et al. U.S. Dept. of Education. (1999), Teacher Quality: A Report of the Preparation and Qualifications of Public School Teachers.