Distance education technologies are expanding at an extremely rapid rate. Due to high stakes testing and the need for interventions in order to close educational gaps, instructional technology is viewed by many as an increasingly important tool in assisting both the motivated and struggling learners. Teachers play an important role in the implementation of instructional technology but it also requires more work. Since many people must collaborate to produce and disseminate quality distance educational programming, the need to plan and coordinate staff is essential.
Currently, few public school teachers have had sufficient training or experience to enable them to either be effective distance learning teachers or to use technology successfully in their classrooms. Proper training would help distance learning teachers to change their methods and give more attention to advanced preperation, student interaction, student activities for independent study and follow up activities to assess learning.
"Repetition is the reality and the seriousness of life."
-Kierkegaard
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Technology Integration Podcast
15 years ago
You have done a great job with bringing out the advantages and disadvantages of distance education. I will add some pros and cons that I have noticed.
ReplyDeletePROS:
Distance learning increases collaboration among individuals. I have noticed that when my students are involved with a distance learning assignment, they work together as a team to meet the desired goal. Their social and communication skills are strengthened, because they know that they will need to communicate well with others in order to deliver a message. The use of technology has had a positive effect on the students in the classroom. For example, students are more engaged and motivated to learn when distance learning resources are included in the lesson plans. Moreover, education is fun to the students when they are able to interact in a non-traditional environment. Distance learning appeals to the different learning styles of the students. It enables them to be creative and comprehend in a way that appeals to their learning capabilities.
CONS:
In your paper, you mentioned that teachers do not have enough technology training. I definitely agree with that statement. Teachers are usually encouraged to integrate technology in the classroom, but they are not taught how to use certain programs. Unfortunately, their lack of technical knowledge discourages them from implementing technology with their students. If teachers are trained and shown how technology can benefit them, then they will be more prone to integrate it in the classroom, more often than never. I believe that if teachers incorporate technology in their classroom then learning would become more meaningful and the information that is being taught will be retained.
Reflection Questions
1. As an administrator, what steps will you take to resolve the technical issues that your staff and students will experience?
2. As an administrator, what type of technology training will you provide?
3. How often will the teachers receive training?
To increase technology in the classroom, teachers first must get over being afraid to use it! I work with so many teachers that don't use technology because it's "too hard", "too complicated", or they think "paper and pencil works just fine!"
ReplyDeleteDistricts need to invest a good percentage of their resources into training teachers on the new innovations with technology!
Nice blog!