Reflections+on+Technology+Facilitator+Standard+I

Reading this unit I reflected on the assignment that I had to complete in Week 2 of my //Concepts of Education class//. In that assignment I had to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of my campus using the data provided by the STAR Chart. From the information that I gleaned from the chart collected over a three-year span, I found that while many of my colleagues made an attempt to incorporate technology in what they did, many of them didn't have a full grasp on how to maximize these tools. This has lead to education falling behind the times as it has not "caught up with this new generation of tech-savvy children and teens" (Rosen, Carrier & Cheever, 2010, p10) Fast-forwarding to the reading for this week I found that many of the basic competencies that were listed on page 18 are still somewhat foreign to many of the teachers on staff. As stated by the following quote; "With limited prior technical experience either at home or at school, most practicing educators depended on school technology professionals to help them acquire the knowledge they needed" (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p 18) and it still holds true today for many of them. For me personally, while I haven't grown up with these instruments as many of my students, I still have a firmer grasp on how to use them then the older teachers on campus do to the fact that it was an area of study for me as well as I am constantly immersed in it. Now this isn't just something that affects educators alone as depending on where you live, students don't have access to these things at their homes as well. One of the practices that I have put into place knowing that basic technological knowledge isn't so widespread is that if there are times that I have to fix a computer in the lab or install a piece of software I use these moments as teachable moments. I explain to the students what I am doing, why I am doing it and how my effects might solve the issue at hand. On the other hand if there is an issue that I don't understand, I reach out to a student who I know is knowledgeable about technology to ask their opinions on a certain subject matter. On a whole I feel that while more educators who are proficient in technology are starting to come into the workplace (Figure 1.1 & Figure 1.2, pg 20) we still need training that will "...achieve and maintain technology competency..." (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p.21) but in addition to good training we need educators who are interested in learning.

Armstrong, S. (2008). Information Literacy: Navigating and Evaluating Today's Media. Huntington Beach, CA: Shell Education

Redish, T & Williamson, J. (2009). ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards**.** Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology Education

Rosen, L., Carrier, M. & Cheever, N. (2010) Rewired. New York, NY: Palgrave MacMmillian