No more Technology Integration Teachers: Need Learning Specialists Instead

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).

–

——————————–

Education with Technology

Tech Integration Teacher, What time is it? August 23, 2016

When someone asks what time it is, that person wants to know the time, not the history of the clock, not how a clock works, and not what other types of clocks there are. Classroom teachers want to help their students improve their academic learning through technology. Sometimes they need help with technology so they go […]

hgtuttle

Curriculum Focus, Not Technology Focus July 28, 2016

In my public school career I have been a classroom teacher, a technology integration specialist and a technology administrator. In my technology role, I served under the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. She had a simple mission: Improve students’ academic learning. My mission was equally simple: Improve students’ academic learning through technology […]

hgtuttle

Students React to Digital Badges: Pros, Cons and Interesting June 22, 2016

ISTE 2016 By Harry Grover Tuttle, Ed. D. College World Language Students’ Preferences Digital Badges – 52% Paper Certificates – 48% World Language: Can-Do Digital Badges Digital Badges Pro- – Breaks down proficiency more – Shows all badges at once – Is more attractive – Is more appropriate since we use […]

hgtuttle

Digital Badges: Naming the Badge October 29, 2015

Once teachers have selected what learning and what digital badges (individual or category badges; see previous blog), the teachers encounter another decision. What will they name each badge? Will they use the full name of the Common Core Standard or the national proficiency? For English, under “Speaking and Listening,”will they write out SL.2 “Integrate and […]

hgtuttle

Digital Badges: Better Than Grades? October 19, 2015

Teachers understand that the grade in a course consists of many different factors such as homework, participation , projects, tests, etc. Blodget observes that sometimes grades reflect attitude, effort, ability and behavior (http://www.academia.edu/9074119/Grading_and_Whether_or_not_Grades_Accurately_Reflect_Student_Achievement). Equally important, a letter […]

hgtuttle

World Language Students Use of Mobile Devices in the Classroom October 5, 2015

Do world language students use technology n the classroom? Do their teachers go beyond having their students use technology simply for the drill and practice in vocabulary and grammar? Students can use laptops and mobile devices to hear authentic language, read authentic texts, read tweets about famous performers, see up-to-the-moment culture, watch video […]

hgtuttle

Digital Badges: Individual or Categorized Learning Badges? September 12, 2015

The idea of digital badges sounds appealing for the digital children in classes. As teachers start thinking about digital badges, they have to figure out what badges will be awarded. The teachers can award social or academic badges. If teachers decide to use academic badges, then the teachers may base their badges on the Common […]

hgtuttle

English +Common Core +Mobile = Success (ISTE2014 Poster -details) June 30, 2014

Here are the ten examples I showed at my English + Common Core + Mobile ISTE 2014 Poster Session: Based on CCSS Anchor Statements: L.2 Take a Conventions Mobile Online Quiz to pick the incorrect sentence from four choices (capitalization) SL.2 Evaluate audio recording of a book chapter on mobile and predict for next chapter. […]

hgtuttle

Global Cultural Learning Using Mobile Devices (ISTE Mobile MegaShare Presentation) June 28, 2014

Based on my presentation at ISTE 2014 Mobile Megashare Why teach about other countries? Location: Large view to small on maps. Culture or culture. Find six similarities in a mobile picture from another culture (“Wars are caused by differences, not similarities.”-Tuttle.) Tell one piece of information from each different Internet visual from a place in that […]

hgtuttle

English + Common Core + Mobile = Success in Learning Poster Session at ISTE 2014 June 25, 2014

In my ISTE Sunday 8-10 am poster session, I demonstrate many diverse mobile activities to help students achieve the English Language Arts Common Core Anchor Statements through mobile devices. The mobile activities focus on free common tool apps that are available on both the Android and the iPad. The students use the apps as a seamless […]

hgtuttle

4 Responses to “No more Technology Integration Teachers: Need Learning Specialists Instead”

Feed for this Entry Trackback Address

1 claygunter January 12, 2007 at 5:22 pm

I like your thinking. OUr district calls the folks who help with Tech training and integration. Instructional Technology Specialists.

2 hgtuttle January 12, 2007 at 7:36 pm

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.

3 Heather March 24, 2007 at 2:36 pm

What about Educational Technology Specialist?

4 hgtuttle March 24, 2007 at 5:47 pm

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

Education with Technology Harry G. Tuttle