Technology in Education

” Yet with current doctrines, its no wonder that although technology resources have rapidly increased, test scores, achievement, graduation rates and dropout figures have remained relatively stagnant.

With over six billion dollars has been allocated over the last decade to integrating technology within education, it is imperative to “right the ship. In a study done by the Wall Street Journal in 1997, William Bulkeley commented that of the top 10 lessons learned in over a decade of having computers in the classroom, lesson number three (in impact and importance) was that “most teachers are woefully unprepared” as far as technology knowledge and usage. Less than half of that 13% provide monetary incentives or stipends to entice the teachers into gaining this knowledge. The basic foundation to any effective use of technology is and must be the training of staff and teachers on how to use the resources. However, all too common school systems ignore the importance of this particular variable. case, there are certain variable that must be involved with this plan for technology to be effectively put to use. It is equally, if not more important to have individuals available who can effectively train and teach the students on the use of those resources. According to the Education Department, only 13% of school systems nationwide require computer training for their instructors. It is not enough to simply have the materials. By overlooking possibly the most important aspect of education, students are being placed at a severe disadvantage in comparison of what they know, what they should know and what they need to know. Without that, we are merely throwing money away and watching our potential success, “sink to the bottom of the ocean.

The lack of preparation has translated into marginal student improvements, wasted funding and even more wasted time.

Despite the opportunity to blame the teachers, this is not necessarily all their fault. Unfortunately, the students are suffering as a result.