Statewide technology planning and it's implications in schools

Some of the issues relating to teacher training in technology are;

1. Funding teacher training sufficiently to provide necessary infrastructure and professional development.
2. Need of expertise to train teachers to use technology efficiently in their classes.
3. Getting enough support from the state government-education department, in order to plan and provide professional development for the teachers across the state.
4. Establishing a regulatory body like an advisory council in every state in order to allocate funds and administer the entire training program and issue certificates for the technologically-trained teachers.
5. Introducing technology-training course in every teacher-education colleges in addition to the existing curriculum.

Collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions would absolutely help in training teachers to integrate technology. K-12 schools are supposed to teach their kids using technology. Higher education institutions are training the future teachers to integrate technology in their subjects. So, collaboration would provide a platform for the future teachers to know how the technology could be integrated into their curriculum by working together with the experienced K-12 teachers. On the other hand, K-12 school could also benefit, if they provide necessary feedback to teacher education institutions in producing quality teachers. If they both work together and help each other that would create new avenues to provide better education for the future kids.

Governor of a state forms ‘State technology advisory council’ to enhance technology literacy among teachers. One of the criteria that every district should meet is to have a ‘district plan for technology’ in order to introduce faculty training, provide infrastructure, and collaborate among k-12 schools. Next, it is necessary to get approval from the state legislature to implement the plan for integrating technology into schools in order to receive fund from the government. Community also plays a vital role in providing fund and offering support to produce high quality teachers.

Training from technology experts should be offered to teachers. K-12 schools and teacher education institutions should come together tointegrate technology with the school curriculum. District level or school level education technology facilitators should assist teachers to help them integrate technology in their classroom. Teachers could also try to obtain certificates from the district level-technology education council for getting training in educational leadership.

Teachers need support and continuous encouragement from their school administrators, district education council, and state education department. Teachers would also seek for guidance from the educational technology experts to successfully complete their professional development training. Teacher training certificates, leadership in technology-training programs, monetary stipend, and an opportunity to take part in future professional development are some of the supports that technologically trained teachers would seek for to continue their professional development.

If all teachers have full technology support and proper professional development in using technology; there will be a healthy atmosphere in the schools. Trained teachers will know how to blend curriculum with technology and strive hard to better teach their students. Teachers would get confidence in efficiently using technology in their classrooms. Technology eases teaching, since it creates interest among children and motivates them to learn. With technology, teachers could offer a good learning atmosphere and reach diverse learners.

Universal Design

The following are some of the advantages of universal design in education; not only students with disability benefit from this universal design, it also helps the normal students to enhance their learning. Universal design electronic textbook information is scalable, modifiable to fit every child’s needs. The control panel could also be adjusted to enhance students’ accessibility. For example, ‘Universal Design-Slider’ in a computer could be turned on or off in order to assist with student’s learning need. The user could customize and make adjustments in the contents of their interest from this design. Moreover, any student could use and benefit from this design to achieve higher level of learning.

The universal design textbooks allow the users to manipulate the control panel which allows modifications in a computer setting to assist specific needs of a child. The students with physical disabilities would access the computer at their pace and learn the required material. Students with cognitive disabilities could also be assisted with this design. Since this book allows customization, teachers could modify the contents to meet the needs of a child. This book is also user friendly, so the user could also do some adjustments to study the contents. Traditional textbooks do not allow modification and so customization is not possible. Students with emotional disability would not benefit from the traditional books, but this e-books allows them to do some changes in their computer environment and adjust according to their learning style. So, using this book motivates them to learn.

Every individual learn differently and follow different strategies. Same curriculum does not fit all instructional material, but integration of universal design will definitely ensure individualized learning. It helps to enhance learning process. The dimension of Education changes which also ensures quality, if used appropriately. To achieve this, teachers should be well informed about the integration of technology in assisting the students with special needs in teaching the material. As a teacher I would benefit from this design to satisfy many of my students’ needs. This design would help me to assist my teaching to reach every child in my classroom.

Florida Virtual School

The students attended ‘Florida virtual school’, which is an online school. Students who attend this school found the following advantages over traditional schools.

One student had transferred to a new high school but she did not get some of her classes transferred from the previous school. But, she had an option to complete her credits for the courses that she had not taken in her previous school by attending a virtual school. She chose that option because she need not repeat her grades or attend the summer school. The student and the parents found that the enrollment was easy and the instructions were clear to follow in a virtual school. The student liked to study in the virtual school. Moreover, absence of classroom conflicts was one of the important factors that the student liked about the virtual school.

In another case, four students in a family attended Florida virtual school and they also found it easy and interesting to work with the virtual school. Since all four of them were in a crew team, their schedule did not allow them to attend a regular school. But they wanted to continue their education, so they attended the virtual school. They found time to study as well as to work on their hobby every single day. They were all happy that they used their time efficiently.

Parents and teachers also liked this instructional method. For instance, if students are interested in learning different subjects other than the subjects that are taught in a regular school they could attend this virtual school and benefit. Besides, this school also helps the students who often have to transfer from place to place for students who are seeking flexible school timing in order to work on extra curricular activities, this online virtual school would be the best choice. If communications between students and teachers works well, this is an excellent choice for many students.

If states offer more online courses, the following benefits would emerge;

1. Many students with physical disability will attend this school, if access to school is the real problem.
2. Many students would get excited about the technology that are being used in virtual school and that would increase the enrollment.
3. Students who excel in other curricular activities could also continue their education since the instruction is flexible.
4. Students who wish to take classes that are not offered in their school but are offered in the virtual school will make use this instruction.
5. This method of instruction is a good choice for students with multi-tasking ability, so they get an opportunity to demonstrate their talent.

The following limitations would also be seen in this instruction;

1. There are certain subjects which could not be taught efficiently using this method like math and art.
2. Both the students and teachers should have good communication skills otherwise expected teaching outcome would not take place
3. Everybody will not be able to afford to have access to virtual school
4. This method works out if the students are committed to learn as there are a lot of chances for the students to lose interest in learning.
5. There is a chance for less accuracy in evaluation, since there is no personal interaction.

These limitations could be resolved if both the teacher and the students show equal interest in the teaching learning process. The teachers should plan the curriculum carefully, and use the technology efficiently to carry out the process. Good communication between student and teacher will ensure proper evaluation.