The rapid and constant change in technology is creating both
opportunities and challenges for schools. It’s imperative that teachers learn
how to use technology in today’s digital world. The caption below gives us a
challenge which must be overcome if teachers are not to be left behind.
Technology won’t
replace teachers...........
.......but teachers who use technology will probably replace those
who do not.
The professional development needs of my colleagues at
Kitante Hill School include the following:
Ø They need to learn how to use the
basic technology applications such as Data base software, Spreadsheets,
Interactive Whiteboard software, Content specific applications etc
Ø Many of them lack personal technology
devises such as laptops, iPads, smart phones, Desktops etc. This makes it
difficult to start using technology if they have to go to the school computer
laboratory which has only desktop computers.
Ø They also do not know how to access relevant information and
data from the web and also where it
can be accessed.
Ø Finally, they also have a need to
easily access the computer lab at school especially for those colleagues who do
not teach computer as a subject.
I would like to recommend the
following to try and address these needs. Concerning basic technology
applications, they should go for short term computer courses as well as
utilising the computer teachers at school to help them practise what they learn.
They should also have a positive attitude concerning technology integration as
well as a commitment in terms of time. It takes time to learn how to search the
web, where to look for information and how to retrieve or download it. I would
also recommend buying of some basics such as personal laptops, smart phones,
flash disks among others on a hire-purchase system if it’s not possible at one
go. The school should also officially allocate time in the computer lab to
teachers who handle other subjects other than Computer to enable them prepare, plan,
organize, look for and download resources for their students.
SINCE I STARTED my journey of staff development, I can now say with confidence I no
longer feel lost.
“The journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.” By Lao Tzu.
In the few miles that I have taken, I
have developed a platform for accumulating and sharing professional development
resources and ideas. Most important of all, I have learnt HOW and WHERE to access
the resources that I need.
I have learnt how to collaborate in group
discussions and wikis, joined social media networks like Twitter and Google
Plus, how to download videos from YouTube and also to create my own videos, how
to create Playlists, how to sort, organize and curate resources, how to create
and populate Blogs and Wikis, make survey questionnaires etc
I have also learnt where to access
useful resources eg YouTube Videos, Educational Blogs such as The
Innovative Educator.com, Educational Wikis such as EduTechWiki . Education
Organisation Sites such Edutopia, people resources like Ben
Johnson at johnsoneducationgroupinc,com.
All in all I feel I have taken off in
my journey of professional development and I am keenly awaiting the next stage.
