Feeding the Need

1.6 Feeding the Need

A brief summary of the needs of my colleagues in technology integration professional development

Below is a summary of my colleagues technology integration needs

Majority of the teachers at school have only the basics of computer application; they can

Use Microsoft word processing for typing of examinations, writing comments on students’ report Forms-for the case of class teachers and senior lady/Matrons. And a few can afford power point presentation if guided by a knowledgeable person. Even the basic computer knowledge they have was acquired as a mandate to accomplish their task of report form preparation and exam setting.

A part from some science teachers who teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics, math, and some Geography teachers who explore the internet, or use the simulated science programs for

Teachers on the computer (Cyber Schools Uganda), Arts subject teachers do not understand technology –integrated teaching and learning. They believe in a lecture method or physical teacher-student interaction in a classroom where they go together with their books from the school library to the classroom. I.e. using traditional teaching methods.

A recommendation for meeting these needs

Providing personal computers (laptops) to all teachers. Laptops may be provided to teachers at a departmental level and owned by the school, or to be made available to all teachers through loans on the basis of a small monthly deduction from an individual teacher’s salary of which it becomes his/hers on completion of the payment. This can be arranged by the school administration for the case of privately owned schools or by the Ministry of Education for the case of government aided schools.

Motivate all teachers into ICT training by designing for them sometime within the teaching time table to practice computer literacy or to explore the internet with in the school setting for free with a computer trainer.

Training of all teachers in ICT without considering which subject they teach should be considered in order to initiate them in the new technology trends.

Internet should be provided at school at least for teachers, to enable them to learning as th

Internet should be provided at school at least for teachers, to enable them to learning as they are motivated to learning the new technologies.

Teachers need to be sensitized or made to change their attitude towards computer technology and

get rid of the fear of a computer mouse. Some teachers think that touching a key board is to spoil

what is already in the computer!

Educational Resources

By Bulamba Sulaiman a student of CCTI 

Educator Asks: Would You Do It for Free?

“Yes, I would do what I do for free if I could,” he said. “You see, I am passionate about my work as an executive and educator, much as I was about my previous work in the classroom and as a school leader.”

Being a teacher can be tough, but it is crucial for educators to hold on to their passion “Some teachers may pin the blame on their paychecks. We all know that education is not the most financially rewarding field and that some of our colleagues may need to pursue multiple positions or rely on working spouses in order to make ends meet.”

Setting Intentions: A Powerful Tool to Help Us Learn 

As part of the opening of any professional development session, it is always important to invite participants to "set an intention" for their learning time. This is a simple practice that takes very little time and that can have a great pay off.

It can help us learn in a much deeper and more authentic way; it helps us connect with others, and it helps us show up as our best selves. Whether I'm working with a group once for two hours or ongoing for a year, I always include this routine and get positive feedback on it.

Flip Your Classroom

At its core, "flipped instruction" refers to moving aspects of teaching out of the classroom and into the homework space. With the advent of new technologies, specifically the ability to record digitally annotated and narrated screen casts, instructional videos have become a common medium in the flipped classroom. Although not limited to videos, a flipped classroom most often harnesses different forms of instructional video published online for students.

Students Want More Technology in the Classroom, Study Finds

Using technology in the classroom is commonplace in many districts, and according to a recent report, students want more of it.

The study, conducted by CompTIA, finds that students want to increase the use of technology in order to make learning “more fun”, said an article on THEJournal.com. The study, “The Changing Classroom: Perspectives from Students and Educators on the Role of Technology", found that “six out of 10 teachers expect technology to become ‘very important’ two years from now, whereas 41 percent consider it very important today. Another 47 percent consider it simply ‘important.’