This year I am helping to improve student learning through technology in a city school district. My emphasis is on improving student learning. However, when I go to schools, I often hear
“My printer does not work.”
“You can teach us a technology.”
“What application do you want to teach them?”
“Let’s give them a workshop on PowerPoint”
“When will you come in my classroom and teach my kids how to use digital cameras?”
Unfortuately, for many teachers “technology integration” refers more to the mechanics of technology than improving students learning through technology.
I propose that we get rid of the term “technology integration teacher”and”computer lab teacher” and replace them with the more meaningful terms of “learning specialists” or “literacy specialists” (thanks to Andy Y. and Roger S. from the Ithaca City School District for the literacy focus).
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© Harry Grover Tuttle, 2007
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I like your thinking. OUr district calls the folks who help with Tech training and integration. Instructional Technology Specialists.
I do like the word “instructional”; I still want to get rid of the word “technology” since it carries emotional resisting baggage for many teachers.
What about Educational Technology Specialist?
I feel that as long as the word “technology”is in the title, then teachers will still think of “techie” and not instruction. We want to be people who promote learning, not people who fix machines. I was a technology integration teacher for many years and people always hear “technology” but do not hear “integration.
H