My district and campus have invested heavily in the area of technology. The amount of resources invested in equipment, software, time, and professional development has been quite extensive. The goal on the part of the district has been to shift the emphasis from teacher-directed to student directed learning. We have several mobile computer labs with wireless internet access in each classroom and our library has eleven computers with internet access available for student use. Our district administration is striving to move teachers into the current trends in education via technology.
Despite the great amount of resources invested in technology on the part of my district and the entire state, the use of technology for student-directed learning remains in the Developing Tech stage according to the 2007-2008 STaR Chart. My district along with 69.7% of schools across the state is in the Developing Stage in the area of Teaching and Learning (Texas Education Agency, 2009). This area assesses the frequency of technology use in all areas of the curriculum, the method of its use, and whether or not the Technology TEKS are integrated in classes across the curriculum or addressed solely in technology related classes.
Our results appear to correlate with national trends. Becker (2001) states that after computer classes, business classes are the most frequent users of technology. Nationally, only one out of six science teachers, one out of eight social studies teachers, and one out of nine math teachers report frequent computer use during their class for student-directed learning.
One reason may be due to the number of computers available full time in the classrooms. According to Becker (2001) teachers with five to eight computer located in their class rooms were twice as likely to use computers in class as those with one to four but access to a computer lab with fifteen to twenty computers. The reason may be due to the complications involved with attempting to schedule use of the lab.
Districts seeking to increase the level of technology based student-directed learning may serve themselves better by placing computers in classrooms as opposed to creating more labs. This does seem counter intuitive at first. It does reflect my experience as a classroom teacher. Given the curriculum and instructional requirements on teachers due to accountability and high stakes testing, there does not exist a great deal of discretionary time in class or planning. Having even enough computers in the classroom to allow students to work in groups of four would ease the complications associated with student-directed computer use a great deal.
Becker, H. J., (April, 2001). How are teachers using computers in the classroom?.Presented at the 2001 Meetings of Educational Research, New Orleans, LA. Retrieved from http://www.crito.uci.edu/tlc/FINDINGS/special3/
Texas Education Agency, (2009). School technology and readiness. Retrieved from http://starchart.esc12.net/
It sounds like your district really values the idea of developing student-centered learners. The investment they have made will go a long way to ensure students the ability to have access to technology at school. As long as teachers will allow students the opportunity to use the equipment, and not be intimidated by their students' ability it will be great.
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