This year mounted LCD projectors were installed in all the classrooms over the summer. As I walk around the building I see teachers still using the tried and true overhead projector for notes and a television that is 13 in to watch video clips. In my department there are a more than a few of these people who are afraid of technology and want to continue teaching as they have for the last 20 years.
At the start of the school year, I developed a presentation for my department on how to incorporate the use of CPSs into their classrooms. I had them all bring their laptops to the training so that they could create classes and make sample tests. I created handouts for them to use and tried to make it a very hands on experience. I even had them use the clickers to assess their comfort level throughout the training.
We have 4 sets of CPS that are housed in my room for checkout between the 9 science teachers in my department. So far only 1 teacher has even tried to use them with their students.
I thought that I had used Kellers ARCS in my training by demonstration how the students attention can be caught and kept throughout the lesson because they never knew when a questions would be asked. I tried to make it relevant in that I tried to show them how the CPS could save them time in grading tests and getting immediate feedback about students understanding throughout a lesson. I tried to foster confidence in the teacher s by helping them create their tests and presentations in the training. I guess I needed to focus on the satisfaction piece because they were not happy and have yet to use the valuable resources we have available for them!
5 comments:
Jody-
I see the exact same thing in my school with the Promethean boards. Teacher's are using them but for the same purpose of a dry erase board. They are intended for interactive use for the students. We also have a couple of set of activote clickers that go with the Promethean boards. As in your department teachers fail to use them. I try to incorporate as much technology as I can, but other teachers feel they can reach the same results via traditional methods. Kellers ARC model holds value but teachers are stuck in their traditional methods.
How frustrating! Well I applaud your effort because it needs to be happening somewhere! To be honest, unless a person directly experiences the integration technology has of making classroom life easier for them, they are going to stick with the difficult way they know. How monotonous and boring to do the same thing day after day! No wonder why so many teachers complain! Make teaching fun for you and the students!
I can understand how disappointed you must have been. I think your administration should also emphasize the need to incorporate technology within their instructions, and start evaluating them on its usage. This way they will be motivated to do so as it will help them in achieving their personal goal of meeting or exceeding expectations on their formative evaluation.
Jody--
I entirely agree with you on the issue that it is completely hard to convince teachers to use the technology that they have when they don't believe in at least trying to make their jobs easier with this technology. Sooner or later they will see that you have something going on and they will come around.
Nice Post
Bill Sharp
Jody,
I know how frustrating all of this can be. At my school, another teacher and I are piloting the use of our 12 iPod Touches in our classroom. The other teacher and I have just been playing with different apps until we use them in the classroom after Thanksgiving break. Already other teachers have heard about the new technology and want to use them in their classrooms.
Perhaps it would be helpful to enlist one teacher to pilot the use of the clickers. Then when that teacher becomes enthusiastic, the others will probably come on board. (Just a thought:) Good luck in your use of technology and making its use contagious.
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