Technology to the Masses

My project is both over and ongoing. It is over in that I am not actively collecting information about it any more but ongoing in that I am still trying to encourage the staff to try new technology ideas. Generally speaking, in my school there seems to be an overall acceptance of technology and most staff seem to agree that it can be extremely beneficial to kids both in and out of the classroom. I myself have had lots of fun with various games, video and other internet sites. The students tend to be very visual and as long as the video bite is quite short, they really tune in.

On the other hand, most staff also seem to feel that in the classroom, just keeping on top of the multitude of things either prescribed by the ministry or handed down from the various regions of administration is more than enough and anything else is too much. Although they would like to do more with technology, they have simply not got the time. And I suppose, even more importantly, many just do not have the technology available. It's like when you used to have to sign out a TV/VCR cart. Many people did it but it required planning and compromise and so sometimes if you just had a little clip of something, and the VCR was booked, the kids just didn't see it. It is the same with newer technologies. Those of us with the projectors, etc. readily to hand seem to use them more and more. Those without either make a special effort to get one or don't bother and quite frankly don't miss them. It is sad, really, that there can't be some standardization in the technology acquisition and use across all schools in the district. It is sometimes hard to swallow that while some schools have new technologies in every classroom and/or for every teacher, others don't. Some schools have some new technology assigned to teachers but it is squirrelled away in a cupboard and never used while those who would use it can't because they are not the "ONE" to whom it was given.

This project has reinforced the my notion that those who would like to learn about and use technology should be encouraged to do so and supported at all levels. Those who don't want to use it should not be forced to. The district pro-d currently available for teachers is excellent, if they can get to it and if they then have access to the technology to use it later.

What have I done? I have been trying to lead by example and so far have sort of become the "go to" person for some people for some (minor) computer/technology problems. I have tried to encourage people to try to use technologies that we all do have access to. I have made inroads into the heart of "techiedom" in that the computer guys will now talk to me and although I still can't speak DOS etc. they understand that some of us do want to use the technology in different but equally valid ways. They don't always agree but at least are now willing to listen. I have made several wiki pages that I am continuing to add to and although I feel like a community of one most of the time, they are there and can be used as a resource at any time. My students have this term experimented with publishing stories on the wiki and we are going to review them as a class. They have also created web posters instead of paper posters from which they will create a timeline and connections project. Others are currently working on an online research project from a web worksheet I created. I make new review games using both the software I purchased and my department paid for and we continue to press slowly on. I can't help feeling that I should be doing more, but like the rest of the staff, sometimes there just isn't time.

In conclusion, project success or failure? Both really. I learned something though, so I guess that's what it is all about.