The Importance Of Technology In Education

Technology is an ever evolving component in today’s world. This is even more apparent when dealing with education. Technology has the potential in a classroom to truly enhance the instruction and allow students to reach their fullest potential as learners. In order for this to happen, however, a system must be in place (Birman, B.F., Desimone, L., Porter, A.C., & Garet, M.S., 2000, p. 29). Technology can’t just be handed to teachers and students without a vision for the learning outcomes. Teachers and students must be trained on what is the most effective technology to teach and implement (Birman, B.F., Desimone, L., Porter, A.C., & Garet, M.S., 2000, p. 33). This training starts at the professional development (PD) level at schools. In this

138). The resources and money being spent on new technology is immense for it to not be utilized by teachers .The first strategy deals with developing a PD training model for teachers. There needs to be a plan in place before anyone can proceed with technology integration. Too many schools and districts have placed technology in the classrooms without a comprehensive PD plan for success (Hixon, E., & Buckenmeyer, J., 2009, p. 142). The PD training model needs to be personalized and specific to each teacher and school. Training teachers in a one-day format proved to be ineffective. Trainings need to be more rigorous and specific to the needs of the teacher (Hixon, E., & Buckenmeyer, J., 2009, p. 143). Trainings that require multiple sessions with various learning opportunities such as live lectures, questions and answer sessions, online videos, are the best way for teachers to fully grasp and understand the PD that is delivered (Hixon, E., & Buckenmeyer, J., 2009, p. 146). This type of PD allows teachers to take ownership of their learning and begin to identify the strengths and weakness when it comes to technology integration in their classroom (Hixon, E., & Buckenmeyer, J., 2009, p. 146). By eliminating the one size fits all approach teachers are empowered to learn new technology tools and resources to better enhance the learning environment in their classroom

49).” Teachers are at different stages when it comes to technology and not all them will be quick to embrace and integrate emerging technologies in PD (Prensky, M., 2008, p. 57). Adults and teachers are maybe some of the most challenging groups of people to embrace change and need several PD opportunities and practice in their classroom before implementation can be deemed as successful (Prensky, M., 2008, p. 65). Because of this, PD coupled with tech savvy educators can be key in breaking the barrier of using technology in the classroom. Tech savvy educators already present in the building can be crucial to eventual technology integration as a school (Prensky, M., 2008, p. 74). These teachers can not only aid in the PD plan for the school, but can play a vital role in providing the momentum needed for technology integration. According to Prensky (2008),“relying on a few teacher technology innovators to create the envy and interest necessary to get everybody else on board (Prensky, M., 2008, p. 84).” While Prensky makes a great point in using these teachers for the technology initiative, O’Neil (2000) argues that a school must be careful not to create an environment where these tech savvy teachers are looked upon in a negative light because of their knowledge, but rather an extra resources or guide in technology instruction (O’Neil, J., 2000, p. 8). In