Module 3: Encouraging Participation in Technology
As a suggestion, I would like to suggest that instead of hiring more IT personnel, school districts should provide stipends to current teachers who are successfully implementing technology. The stipends would be to compensate teachers for training other teachers how to implement the new technologies. I think that a teacher is more willing to learn from another teacher than they are an IT person sent from the district. I believe this is because the teachers are able to picture themselves succesfully implementing the technology because they see an actual teacher using the technology.
This article also taught me the difference between simply using technology and using it to help student learning. Teachers need to be more creative with their use of technology. They should be teaching students not only the content, but the newest technologies as well. This year I may be starting an elementary music position in a classroom with a chalkboard and chairs-nothing else. I hope to begin to utilize some technology, especially when it comes to encouraging students to use technology on their own.
I think that there would definitely be some benefits to encouraging teachers to teach other teachers about the use of technology. You make a great point that it is a built-in example of seeing technology in action. There will still be a need for IT personnel in the schools, but not in the position of educating the teachers.
I also agree that when technology is used it needs to be used well, in a way that helps student learning. That is an interesting poisition you may be placed in as a music teacher with only very simple elements. How do you plan on bringing technology into an unequipped classroom? Good luck!