Should Schools Embrace Technology

I wrote this as a 2 page reflection for class, but realized when it got over five pages that it belonged here where I write about things that I think most about. When I read two sides of this issue presented through two articles, I realized as so often is the case that both sides had a point. The Yes side spoke of the potential of technology and the No side spoke of wasted money. Within lies my reasoning on the pitfalls that lead the No side to turn away and a model for responsible and effective use of technology in schools.

Introduction
The role of technology in schools has been has been challenged for years. Frank Smith raised concerns about the possible impact of videos on teaching as far back as the 1970 (I cannot recall the article that he raises this concern in) and I am sure he is not the first. As we moved from chalkboard to quill, led pencil to ink pen, the introduction of mimeograph and the transition to photocopiers, film to VCR, the list continues. I do not know how much debate these changes in technology brought about, but I think it is safe to say that the changes brought about by the availability and accessibility of computers since the invention of the personal computer have by far out weight all other changes.

Defining the Issue
I use the term Technology Programs intentionally for a few reasons. One is to remind us that we should have a well thought out plan, a program, that computers fit into. We have to know when, why and how we are going to use them. We have to use them with purpose. The word “program” as used interchangeably with software is also intentional. It is notable that I do not endorse software. Most of what we need for classroom use is free or web based. With new directions of Web 2.0 we should be moving from the publisher model, where only high skilled users made content, to the collaborative model where our we participate in creating content. Every time I typed (and you now read) the more clunky “Technology Program” I intended these meanings.
To effectively discuss this topic I will use two questions to help define the topic. About each technology program we must ask:
1.Do we adopt this technology so students will be exposed to the technology that is used in society as a whole?
2.Do we adopt this technology because it helps in teaching more effectively or efficiently? (time and money are acceptable criteria)
When we ask this of earlier technology we find that the technology, especially writing technologies would meet the criteria of the first question because they were used widely in society. Many of the more recent technology uses can be debated under the second question. For example: When is it efficient to make copies for students and when does the cost of those copies outweigh the value? I think that there are hints about the answer to computer use in the ways that we have answered this question for copiers in a range of ways in different school settings.
It is my belief that for the most part technology programs that can pass the test of the first question are the ones that should be accepted and they are the ones that have been more effective. Technology programs that are adopted because they meet the criteria of the second question are often expensive, too focused to be valuable, supported by questionable research and easily sold to school districts who like the idea of easy, silver bullet solutions.

Everyone is using it
The first group of programs that I think is no brainers are the ones that everyone in our society already uses on a daily basis. Word processing is a no brainer, with web browsing close behind. The important thing to realize about both of these programs is that the basics have not changed for about 10 years. This means that we don’t have to upgrade our computers to use them (though we still need to upgrade out teachers). While older computers do have some troubles with image/video rich websites, media can often be presented to the class as a whole on slightly more advanced teacher computers. Spread sheets certainly have a place and should be used in math and science to record data and perform large scale math. PowerPoint is intentionally left out here. While widely used, is just a fad that is being replaced with more flexible and available presentation media.
Enhancing participation
With the competitive pricing of Electronic Whiteboards, projectors and “clickers” (small student held devices that allow immediate student feedback), the potential of technology programs that improve students participation is increasing. In the hands of skilled teachers these tools seem to add great value. But beware, low skilled and disinterested teachers prove these flashy technology to often be little more than flash. Also on the level of technology programs that allow teachers to work with the class as a whole, I think that district wide subscriptions to video databases like united streaming can prove valuable.
Note that I do not care for tailor made technology programs that focus on specific subjects and are paid for on a per seat basis. These programs have many flaws, most notably that they are costly. They are also used inconstantly, as teachers have to find the time and accept the value of each one. Finally I do not see these programs as capable of encouraging and assessing the higher levels of Depth of Knowledge that we need to increase in our schools.

“Invest in the tech not the technology”
For me the bottom line way that schools can get the most out of technology is to invest in the tech not the technology. In my experience schools do not pay competitive wages when it comes to hireling technology staff. If they shifted money away from new shiny “silver bullet” solutions and instead sought out high quality staff, they may discover what I have: some of the best solutions are free or very cheap. It is well known that school districts have lots of money to spend. Businesses have been founded and expanded the acquisition of big school district contracts. With more knowledgeable techs, school districts would have the ability to assess the value of technology programs.
These techs, should be educated as teachers and geeks so they will be able to do more than keep technology working, they will be able to understand how technology programs can work to improve educational goals. They should spend time in classrooms working with teachers, helping them to integrate technology programs into their lessons. These techs will choose cheaper solutions as they use their adaptive technology skills to fit and even modify technology programs to meet classroom needs.

Integrating Technology Programs
The ways that technology programs best improve education are when students use technology that they see in the rest of their lives in classroom settings. Too often we are behind the curve or afraid to go there. Why not use chatting to give students a reason to learn typing skills and get students talking about school? Why not use cameras and gps devices that are built into students' phones as part of field based projects? Why shouldn't we use browser games as models to encourage students to engage in programing? Why don't we use blogs to get students writing? Website building to give them a way to present their work to the world?
While we are at it, we can help them to learn ethical and wise use. Instead of being afraid of of them going off course on our watch, while they send pictures to each other leading to criminal prosecution. (think about the number of cases involving teens sending pictures of each other nude; pornography) Where was their schools? I am sure they were thankfully saying, “not on our watch!” instead we should take charge, lead the way and help them to learn life skills. Do some character education that is more than a word of the month.
With such programs we can redirect even more of our resources away from text books and into teacher salaries as we research and write, teachers and students, our texts. Perhaps some of that money would go to more periodicals and online subscriptions to scholarly resources. I see a new role for a library/research-tech too. The outsourcing of curriculum, texts, and technology (in terms of purchasing of custom software) is not needed in this model.

Teaching Programs
We also need to improve our educational technology programs to include more application of technology. As they are now, they are laughed at by employers as they prepare you for little more than teaching a technology class.