Posted on June 5th, 2009 by Heather Braum
I’m at the Technology and the Classroom conference at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS today. Will try to blog each session I attend, as it looks the campus wireless is great!
Antwon Lincoln is the keynote speaker and is known as the “Evangelist of Education Technology” and is an instructional technology coordinator in Southern California. He’s the author of “Confessions of a Technology Leader”.
“Can’t Hide Our Pride” is the conference theme. The conference leaders wanted everyone to come away inspired by technology. Keynote will be tailored around that.
“ED study slams software efficacy” article. Buzz kill. Article says technology doesn’t work. Changed the role Lincoln serves at his school in CA. Became tech evangelist as a result.
Key Problems/Challenges ID’d:
- Coaching/Peer Support
- Training (Drive-by-training…. “get ‘em here, give ‘em stuff, and turn ‘em loose!”)
- Understanding of how the software works
- Commitment levels
- Leadership
Talking about properly using airplane as kid. Can’t just open it up and use it. Must read instructions and understand its purpose. No reset button, like on Atari. No reset button in education on students, as much as teachers might want to push reset button.
Who’s the cause of the problems? The superintendent, the principal, the tech leader, the teacher, the software company, the students? Who takes the blame for the failures of technology in the classroom? We all must!
Chinese Bamboo tree example. Takes 3 years to get out ground, then 90 feet in 90 days. Where was most of the energy expended? The planting or the growing?
Where did we/they go “wrong?”
- Purchased the wrong software.
- Tested the wrong students
- IMplemented the wrong teacher
- Provided the wrong kind of leadership
- Hired the WRONG motivational speaker
Let’s talk about our role:
- the company: shiny parts presented; selling product, not showing commitment needed for the product
- the it department: role is to install it and make sure it works; no instruction component for the it dept
- site/district admin: Product is purchased and the right teachers are using the product
- teacher: ensure the software is enhancing the teaching, not replacing instruction.
Back to article key points & rearrange them:
- Leadership
- Understanding of how the software works
- Commitment
- Training
- Coaching/Peer Support
LEADERSHIP is key to success.
Control
C=Capable Teachers: tech doesn’t work without them. Computers and other equipment alone won’t help.
T=Targeted Objectives. Must know purpose of the equipment. Not just “kids love it.”
R=Real Research. Just because tech is in the classroom doesn’t mean that it’s going to work. The company’s promised outcome doesn’t always result. Must be able to measure own objectives and purpose for the tech or software. If equipment or software removed from classroom, what would happen to learning level? That’s real research, answering that question.
L=Leadership. Students defy parents to follow teacher instructions. Must know you’re the leader.
It’s all about leadership. Don’t just rely on new teachers for the tech leadership. They have energy, but not the connections that current teachers already have. The veteran teachers have the foundational knowledge already.
Students have become of the leader equation, too.
After leaving here, what is going to change, other than taking home bag of goodies? It’s a process that begins with what you will do different tomorrow? Leadership is the catalyst for student success!
What role will technology play in their education career? Ends with video “A Vision of a 21 Century Student”
Which tool will you need to plant the seed? to nurture the seed (make sure foundation is nourished, so software grows)? to develop the seed? to support that seed (new teachers, veteran teachers)? Because this seed can be the catalyst for student success! Must be used purposefully.
Lots to think about. Going to breakout sessions next. Hope to throw in extra post about why a librarian is at a classroom technology conference 
