I interviewed two language arts
teachers in the Arlington School district. The first was Sue Backus, a high
school reading teacher who teaches at risk students in a small classroom setting.
She said that the challenges she faces to integrating technology in her program
are that there is no money to buy computer programs or e-books and there are
not enough computers for her class. In addition she has students requiring the
use of voice recognition software and the program she has does not function
well. Another huge challenge is her class size, and the fact that the students
are lacking in keyboarding and computer skills.
The second teacher was Mark Garnot,
who is a reading and special education teacher. Mark cites lack of technology
in the classroom as the major challenge. He would like a Smart Board and does
not think he will get one. He is getting an interactive whiteboard, but he is
not sure when. He has two computers in his class, and 10-12 students at a time,
so even if he had great ELA software, he would not be able to have every
student, even working with a partner, sitting at a computer.
Money seems to be the biggest deterrent
to using technology in these ELA classrooms. Both teachers are interested and knowledgeable
about the possibilities and potential of using technology to enhance their
curriculum, but are held back by funding.
In my school district, we have the same issue, it comes down to money. I found that through my interview the teachers were coming across the same problems; with the lack of technology, not having enough computer for every student, not having a Smart Board, and etc. It is so difficult for us as teacher to want to incorporate those technologies into our classrooms but are only limited to the few technologies that we have available to us.
ReplyDeleteThere are many voice recognition software of apps available for free that she maybe able to download. Maybe you can help her find a few that would work properly and help her integrate the voice recognition in her instruction.
ReplyDeleteWith limited number of computers, what would you suggest to make the maximum use of it? Can she reserve the computer lab? Instructional groupings?
Let's explore possibilities to work around these issues. xD
Funding is a huge issue now a days in schools. It would be tough to justify cutting a position so that the school can buy a couple of smartboards.
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