As I have mentioned before, I teach at a Title 1 school; therefore we have an abundance of technology. 3 years ago we had a Smart Board purchasing frenzy. Any teacher who wanted a Smart Board received one. The team leader for my 7th grade team has been teaching for 27 years. He has been at our school for 15 teaching Science. He is a very strict but effective teacher. His CRCT scores, (our state test) are never below 95% pass rate. He decided to get a Smart Board along with the other 7th grade teachers. The Smart boards arrived in January for the second semester. He used the Smart board the remainder fo the year. The following school year, he had it removed from his classroom and return to the over head projector and markers. He complained the students were too dependent on technology and did not pay attention to his lecture any more. He would not give in to the abundance of resources that the smart board offers including simple things like watching brain pop videos or using the textbook resources of power points and lesson checks on each section. He is a prime example of refusing to move forward with technology. He still calculates his grades by hand instead of entering grades to the online grading program.
This teacher seems to be uncomfortable with new things. The previous teaching methods have proven to be effective so why change them? If he would take the time to play with and understand the computer grading program, he would see the reports and convenience of using it. The grading program can drop the lowest grade, show average scores on an assignment, print missing work reports, and so on. Obtaining this information by hand is a challenge. He displays characteristics that many veteran teachers do. He has taught one way for so long, that it is now troublesome to change. I think a support team to help the less technologically inclined would be a great help. Also, he needs to give into change and accept that there might be a better and more efficient way to teach.
I responded to Evonie http://evonie-rash.blogspot.com/2010/08/module-5.html and
Amanda http://educ7105.blogspot.com/2010/08/module-five.html#comments
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Margaret, excellent example of the problems many of us face when trying to integrate technology into the classroom. Tools, no matter how good, cannot replace the expertise of a veteran teacher. Though we may not agree that he is teaching or his reliance on "pencil and paper," his scores are reflective of his ability to teach well. Should we try to force him to use tools and waste resources that would better serve another teacher? How could you motivate him to adopt technology when there appears to be no relevance/satisfaction for adopting a new approach? Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou have provided an excellent example of veteran teachers that choose to stay with methods that are tried and true rather than step out if the comfort zone. Was there any teacher training developed to help those with the Smartboards? It seems that this teacher needs to find a happy medium to keep his students engaged and productive while giving his methods that have worked all these years a "face-lift" to move into the digital classroom. From what you have written it seems that the area of Keller's model that he is lacking is satisfaction. Perhaps a survey of teachers to see where the problem lies and more training could help bring him back.
ReplyDeleteGreat points and questions. I don't think he should be forced to use another method when obviously his students are prefoming better than most. I do agree that maybe more training would be benifical. Also, I think that teacher feedback could be help. Often when another respected co-worker suggests something we tend to follow. I think another vetern teacher who has had success with the smart board would be a great mentor.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
ReplyDeleteYou provided a great example of a teacher who chooses not to use the technology provided. I don’t think that teachers should be forced to use something that they don’t see beneficial to them or their students. However, there are some teachers who won’t even try. They would rather just say that they don’t need it or want it in their classrooms before giving it a trial run first. Yes, students are often dependent upon the smart board or other technology now instead of listening to a lecture. However, it’s also the new technology age where things are advancing at faster rates. This is the age of our technological students. There’s so much out there that can be used that it’s nearly impossible for teachers to keep up with all of it.