- problem: Integrating technology into English language teaching2
- problem: No technology is as reliable as a pen and paper0
- problem: No regular access to computer lab as it mostly traken by Computer Studies classes0
- idea: integrate strategies digital tools offer0
- problem: Teachers don't think classroom is appropriate place for technology use0
- idea: Classroom are evolving into technological scenarios for better teaching0
- problem: The problem is having to try things out with an audience. Teaching is a very full-on activity and some teachers are worried that if they are thinking about the technology they can't be thinking about their students0
- comment: You explore on your own first, then you use in the classroom0
- comment: And this was true for me at first but it's worth it in the end as so many opportunities open up.0
- problem: resistance to spending the time required to change over to using the technology - have to be own initiative since no extra $ to support this1
- idea: Show one small easily integrated idea at a time. Wordle, for example. 0
- comment: This is what has been working for us - using a tool with staff that can be easily brought into a classroom - e.g. Etherpad0
- problem: Many teachers not comfortable with knowing less about the technology than their students0
- idea: Hand over the tech support to learners, freeing the teacher to do the teachign with the technology. Involvement and engagement from the learners - everyone has a stake in the success of the class1
- comment: Absolutely... true learning for all. Students enjoy knowing more than the teacher at some times.0
- problem: An unacceptable loss of control for many teachers0
- comment: May also be hard to implement - may conflict with security policies0
- problem: Easy to say, but how do you convince teachers?0
- comment: I think the best way to convince teachers is to increase communication between teachers0
- idea: Tell them to get on with it, live with it and stop being so bloody controlling all the time?0
- comment: We all will have to face the fact that younger people will be better in dealing with new technologies than we are – sooner or later. So they might aswell get used to the idea...0
- comment: Totally agree. There is no shame for the teacher admitting that he does not know and aks a learner to help out instead of screwing up. You do not earn learners' respect by not admitting, that there are things you just do not know. Show you learners that you are prepared to learn from them as well.0
- idea: Then maybe you could model the necessary humility by practicing knitting or something else that they know and you don't. 0
- comment: If knitting is essential to the future of my professional field, then that's a great idea.0
- comment: There are plenty of teachers (even old ones!) who know far more about technology than they do about knitting :)0
- comment: Would quilting suffice?0
- comment: No, quilting is not the same at all0
- problem: Lack of recognition within the curriculum0
- comment: The curriculum probably can't keep up.0
- comment: They can always sneak it in the back door...0
- comment: Sneaking stuff in at back doors is black market educateering. Not good. Not good0
- problem: Not all teachers are happy to do this and it puts the emphasis on the teacher!0
- idea: Emphasis *should* be on the teacher in his/her classrom...0
- idea: The emphasis should be on the LEARNERS, not the teachers. With technology, it will be!0
- idea: Once you have convinced the learners, they will take in the new tool/technology and will produce what the school/curriculum wants to see. Students need to learn to handle skills that are technology based as they will need them in their professional careers. Chalk and talk are almost out - word, excel, power point, brainstorming, mind mapping/flow charting, and using the net intelligently are required. The learners are grateful for these. Not today, but they will tell you after they have been in a job for a while and will tell you so, should they meet you.0
- problem: Especially in stateschools things aren't always as they should be. Teachers aren't always empowered to make change0
- idea: Use the technology you want to use with the learners, so they produce what the school/curriculum wants. Mind mapping, for example, makes life much easier for everybody - you and the learners. The good end-product helps convincing the school.0
- problem: Lack of connectivity0
- idea: Show them a strategy that could be done without the net but is greatly enhanced by it. Do a WebQuest as a bookquest, for example. 1
- comment: Excellent idea.0
- problem: Lack of training1
- idea: Create a community of practice. Let them train each other. Difficult to preach student-centred learning when we don't practice teacher-centred management.0
- idea: So train 'em!0
- comment: Yeah!!! When they see the possibilities, they will want to try some out!0
- problem: time and money may make this a challenge1
- comment: School invest in equipment but not training0
- comment: Well, re-learn to play and learn through plaing - on the old traditional basis of trial and error.0
- idea: Point them towards good online training solutions which are free. Try to get them involved in online teacher communities1
- problem: many teacher don't feel confident enough to decide which are the good online training solutions. Let's face it there's a lot of stuff out there which is NOT good.0
- comment: Yes, but need in some cases face-to-face as well as we are dealing with new technologies for some teachers who have never blogged, unsure about podcasts and their own reference was face-to-face learning/teaching. Find this helps a lot.0
- comment: The pointing is one thing, teachers taking the reins is another. 1
- comment: Right, well... if teachers are just to lazy or too disinterested then sack the lot of them and get some decent ones, for the good of our children...0
- comment: It is not essential for good language teaching to be tech-savvy and I would suggest that a poorly focused teacher or a lazy teacher with technology at his/her fingertips is more of a liability than an aid to students' progress. I think the solution lies in establishing good understanding as to how language is learned and then infiltrating that framework of understanding with appropriate technology solutions where appropriate, depending on all the variables.0
- comment: Well, I rather suspect something else - teachers, who think that technology is not helpful and frown on it, are teachers who do not understand technology and its usefulness - thus are afraid of it, because it might take away their jobs. However, even the most sophisticated multi-media technology sooner or later gets to a point, where a teacher must help out. So teachers better open up to technology and use it, when it is didactically necessary and thus helpful for the learner.0
- comment: It's essential for teachers to be good and to know their trade. Equipping good teachers with technology skills is better than not doing so. Luddites need not apply...0
- comment: It's essential for teachers to know what it's essential for them to know. Techno-ability is more of a mindframe than a qualification. 0
- problem: Finding right people to do the right training0
- idea: The best trainers are within the school! Other teachers who are more confident. 1
- idea: They're all already there, online0
- problem: But how do you find them?0
- idea: Tried Google? Tried *your* communities? Tried Twitter? Tried asking someone?0
- problem: How do you know if those people are any good at training teachers0
- problem: The new ones could be just as problematic and the money you spend on making the old ones redundant could cost you all of your IT budget.0
- comment: In that case don't bother hiring teachers at all1
- comment: How do you know they're not? A lot of them are friends of mine...0
- comment: Electronic Village Online courses are free and fab. I've learnt so much from them and had such positive learning experiences.0
- problem: Being your friend isn't a qualification for training teachers to use technology0
- idea: but expertise is0
- comment: In fact ... ;-)0
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