Computers and multimedia are seamlessly woven into the curriculum at technology - rich Mary Scroggs Elementary School. See: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-digital-divide-scroggs-video
From this video, it is obvious that for technological integration to be successfully implemented in a school system, the following is needed:
1) Space to accomodate the hardware and the software in a class setting.
2) Parental support
3) Technicians to set up and solve daily technical problems
4) Funding to support the programme.
5) Cooperating teachers
6) Time to prepare for the integration process
Since 2002, the school in the video has been teaching with technology. The question is, are we far behind ? Presently, in the school system , it is worthwhile to investigate , to what extent technology is integrated in the curriculum. There are computers at many schools but at some schools they are not in use.
At my school, the Mafeking Government Primary School, there are nineteen (19) computers. I am proud to say that the Principal made arrangements for a Computer Teacher, to visit the school twice a week. All classes are exposed to the computers , once a week.The students are learning basic literacy skills. I see that both boys and girls are eager to go to the lab. I am not sure whether technological integration in the school's curriculum is going to happen soon.Some classes are small.However, the Principal did mention that she would like that every class, get at least one computer but that will not be enough.The students are not happy when they have to share computers at the lab.
I am willing to enlighten my colleagues at school about blogs, concept mapping, e - books and wikis, so that they will be encouraged to use the sites to teach concepts.
Fellow Teachers, I am asking you, To what extent do you see the integration of technology at your school?
Believe me! I will be amazed and happy that it is happening, to a great extent in at least one school.
Total integration of technology into the curriculum at our schools seems a long way off for many reasons, some of which are
ReplyDelete1. The design of the classroom : In our school many classes occupy a small space, there is not enough space to move around, or to have designated learning centres . Even where individual classrooms exists , there may be insufficient electrical outlets to accommodate computers . If there are available outlets in the classroom, the security may be lacking . The current classroom in most schools are designed for traditional teacher centered teaching, the desks are heavy, not easily moved to achieve collaborative learning spaces so they all face the teacher at the front of the class…
2. The curriculum : Though there is an awareness of ICT in the curriculum and stated goals to achieve computer literacy , it is silent on the infusion of ICTs across the curriculum to improve learning outcomes in those areas . Maybe the new Reading Specialists have an opportunity to alter the landscape.
3. The computer lab : Through the school improvement programs, many schools have acquired computer labs but there are usually scheduling challenges associated with this space.
4. School culture: This is perhaps the greatest impediment to achieving ICT goals in education in the school. Dr. C. Wagner (2005) observes, “culture always precedes programs.” Our experience tells us that if the school community is toxic, ICT objectives will not be achieved .
Jenifer, I must admit that your principal is trying her best to integrate technology into the curriculum.However, to answer your question,I want to say that technoloy integration is and has been a great focus at my school. We have a computer lab equipped with computers and a computer teacher.We have been practising semi specialization in sports, the library, our reading clinic, and the computer room. All classes are given computer sessions each week. The teacher meets with each department at the beginning of every term to find out about about project and plans for the term.Together we plan how we want to integrate computers into our projects and so on. All members of staff are on board with this and it has been working successfully for the past 8-10 years
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