Teachers' Role in Educational Technology

Education Technology: The Teachers' Role
Judith Sebastian
January 16, 1996

New technologies are influencing and redefining what schools, classrooms, and even teaching looks like. The successful use of these new and wonderful resources depends on the teachers and their ability to use the technology to support a student's individual needs and capabilities, as opposed to focusing on the technologies themselves.

Technology is the enabler for the changes that are at the foundation of restructuring efforts. The organizational use of technology changes roles and relationships, uses of time and resources, and the availability of support for teachers and students. The new technologies are accelerating fundamental changes in the teacher's role as well as the shape and activitiesi of the classroom. Some of these changes began as a result of the latest brain researchi and information on how people learn. The teacher's role has begun to move from that of 'Information giver' or instructor to a facilitator of learning, and the classroom is becoming more learner-centered. There is less lecturing and more collaborative, cooperative learning, with the passive learner idea disappearing. Students are reaching out beyond the walls of their classrooms to learn from, work with, and share with other learners of all ages and cultures.

The teacher's role now includes focusing on information literacyi, i.e.,helping students find what kind of information is needed and where and how to get it. A wide range of information resources must be included. And, with the quantity of information available to students today, teachers must help them learn to analyze and evaluate the quality and suitability of the information they gather. It is the teacher who must help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to understand how to use the acquired information for problem solving and decision making purposes.

Numerous studies have shown that impressive results in student achievement have come from students in technology-rich learning environments. Additional benefits such as improved student attitude, enthusiasm and engagement have also been found. Technology is not a silver bullet, but it can be a powerful tool for enhancing the achievement of all students, including poor students and students with disabilities. It is only effective in the classroom, however, if the teacher has been well-trained and is continuing to be trained on the latest programs and potential uses. Too often teachers are given a one-shot "how to'session that is insufficient to bring them up to speed with emerging technologies.

Current wisdom indicates that anywhere from 20-30% of a district's technology budget ought to be spent on teacher training. It takes more time and effort than many people recognize. For example, the government's Office of Technology Assessment estimates that effective infusion of technology into schools can take up to 5 years. That time includes time for teachers to learn instructional strategies for these new tools for teaching and learning. Teachers need access to technology and on-going support while they learn. And they need time for collegiality, because teachers learn best from and with their peers. There is a need to develop a local or statewide network where teachers can communicate with each other. They could get advice from each other on how to use technology to improve their teaching and their students" performance. They could update each other on technological advances as part of an over-all developmental plan--a plan that must be in place to ensure that all schools gain the real benefits from technology.

In summary, the teacher is essential to the integration of the technological potential in education. Teachers need the access, training, ongoing support and time to become proficient, productive users of technology. This is crucial in order for teachers to fulfill their roles as facilitators of learning and information literacy.

Judith Sebastian, Director of Educational Policy and Practice
Arizona Education Association
100 West Clarendon Ave, Suite 1600
Phoenix, AZ 85013-351I
602-264-1774
jsebastian@nea.org