Using Coaches to Overcome Barriers in Technology Integration

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Context of the Problem

Technology has become part of Americans everyday lives. From the Internet to cell phones we constantly rely on technology throughout the day. Since technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, educators have tried to integrate technology into teaching in order to improve student learning. Research studies have established that students’ use of computers can improve students’ standardized test scores (Hew &Brush, 2006). However, some studies have shown no difference between traditional educational methods and those that incorporate technology. Despite the conflicting results of these studies, educators still integrate technology into their teaching because it is so critical in the workforce and the global economy (Dusik & Yildirim, 2007) (Kotrik & Redmann, 2005). Also the government has enacted the No Child Left Behind Act which has a component mandating that schools implement strategies to integrate technology into instruction and support this with professional development activities (Lowther, Inana, Strahl, & Ross, 2008).

Even though the government and other educational reforms have pushed for educators to incorporate more technology into classroom teaching certain obstacles can interfere with this initiative. Plair (2008) in her research points to experienced teachers who lack fluency using new types of technology. She goes on to say that it is not the lack of teacher workshops that prevent teachers from using technology but the need for a “knowledge broker” to provide teachers support in using educational technology (Plair, 2008). Other research points to other barriers that could influence teachers’ use of technology in the classroom; Hew and Brush (2006) discusses these barriers and di...

... middle of paper ...

...., Inan, F.A., Strahl, J.D., & Ross, S.M. (2008). Does technology integration

“work” when key barriers are removed?. Educational Media International, 45(3),

195-213. Retrieved January 24, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.

McKenzie, J. (2002). Beyond Toolishness: The Best Ways for Teachers to Learn and Put New

Technologies to Good Use. Multimedia Schools, 9(4), 34. Retrieved on February 24,

2010 from Academic Search Premier database.

Plair, S. (2008). Revamping Professional Development for Technology Integration and Fluency.

Clearing House, 82(2), 70-74. Retrieved on January 16, 2010 from Academic Search

Premier database.

Tearle, P. (2004). A Theoretical and instrumental framework for implementing change in ICT in

Education. Cambridge Journal of Education, 34(3), 331-351. Retrieved on January 24,

2010 from Academic Search Premier database.

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