Successful technology integration
The importance of ICT integration in this highly technical and modern world cannot be doubted. As such, private companies, organizations, the government, and teachers are all putting in efforts to contribute to ICT integration in the country.
Full ICT integration is not as easy as providing every school with computers and connection to the Internet, however. There are fundamentals that must be followed in order to fully incorporate technology into education. Bernie Poole, an assistant professor of education and instructional technology at the University of Pittsburgh, shares his expertise by identifying some prerequisites for successful technology integration:
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Active support and encouragement from the administration.
Technology-integration programs cannot work if it doesn’t get support from the school administration. To fully implement programs, the principal, superintendent, and other school administration officials must ensure that teachers are given the chance to receive training on technology-skills development and enrichment.
Administration officials must also be able to encourage teachers to learn about technology without forcing the matter on them. Some teachers are afraid of technology enough as it is, compelling them to “learn or suffer the consequences” will not help.
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On-demand and preferably on-site, technical support.
Having technical support available to teachers anytime makes them less afraid of “destroying/damaging the computer,” thus encouraging them to learn and explore the computer more.
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Involvement of parents.
Communicating with parents and allowing them to be involved in the process of integrating technology into their children’s education make them understand the importance of ICT and how it will benefit their children. Poole recommends using technology-based tools like e-mail and school websites to communicate with parents.
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Continuous training and skills development for teachers.
Technology constantly evolves and changes as new developments and innovations are introduced everyday. The training teachers get today may no longer be relevant in 6 or 7 years. School administration officials must ensure that their teachers receive continuous and updated training.
Teachers, on the other hand, should show initiative by joining seminars or attending short classes on the latest in technology-based teaching tools without any prompting from superiors.
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Adequate time for teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum.
Integrating technology is not an easy task, as such, teachers must be given enough time to introduce the changes into their methods and strategies. The government, school officials, and parents cannot expect teachers to come up with a new and effective technology-based curriculum by June after just receiving computer-training in May.
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A core of teachers highly-proficient in using technology in every school.
Every school must have a small group of teachers that are highly-skilled in using technology. This group can act as advisors and tutors to the less computer savvy teachers and can also troubleshoot basic computer problems.
Source:
Poole, Bernie. Education World, “Eight Pillars Of Successful Technology Implementation.”
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech188.shtml
