The very rapid and progressive changes in technology are undoubtedly changing the way students are learning. It is always fascinating to me, as I read through the NMC Horizon reports, the scope of applications and uses of technology in education. It would only be reasonable to say then that with the adoption of anything new including technology come challenges to school boards and teachers.
The NMC Horizon report (2013) identifies significant challenges to technology adoption that need to be carefully considered. One challenge that seems to be a consistent focus is professional development for teachers. If teachers do not receive proper assistance in integrating the tools they may use them at all. Another challenge mentioned in the report is teacher’s resistance to change and that technology integration has to be seen as part of the teacher’s role which would require a change in the attitude of teachers toward technology (Johnson, Adams, Cummins, Estrada, Freeman & Ludgate, 2013). I believe effective professional development could help change this attitude as teacher’s overcome some of the barriers that prevent them from implementing technology. What is the best way to break down these barriers and support teachers in their use of technology?
I found it interesting but in my experience well stated by Selwyn (2011), that “digital technologies are used inconsistently in educational settings, usually with little large-scale conclusive ‘effect” This inconsistency seems prevalent in many educational settings and it has to come from policy makers to make relevant changes and offer training to teachers. I do see that technology is not the tool for all learning but we live in a world that is integrated with technology and education must keep up with the changing world in order to benefit student learning. What is the effect of this inconsistency in technology and how does this affect student learning?
Johnson, L., Adams, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., & Ludgate, H. (2013). The NMC horizon report: 2013 higher education edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada V., Freeman, A., & Ludgate, H. (2013). NMC horizon report: 2013 K-12 edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Selwyn, N. (2011). Editorial: In praise of pessimism—the need for negativity in educational technology. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(5), 713-718.The NMC Horizon Report.
Educational Technology 