Teacher Stages of Technology Use

     In class we looked at the 5 developmental stages that teachers went through or go through in regards to technology use with in the classroom.  When looking at the key points of each stage as they were presented in class, it is difficult for me to pin myself to any one particular stage of technology development.  I can positively state that I am beyond developmental stages 1 and 2 ( entry level and adoption stage).  As for stages 3-5: adaptation, appropriation, and innovation, I feel my attitude towards technology integration within the classroom falls between stages 3 and 5.
     Stage three states that teachers begin to utilize some technology with their students in the classroom.  It is also stated that this can be a frustrating stage for teachers.  In regards to my classroom experiences, I am open to using available technology with students.  However, I do become a bit frazzled and frustrated if something does not " go " as planned, or if something does not work the way it is intended to.  The dilemma is this, I work in a therapeutic day school.  The students have very little patients for "teacher mistakes".  Any one "blip" in a day, can run the rest of multiple students days.  Therefore, yes--I have no problem using technology that is within my absolute comfort zone and the students comfort zone, but I am a bit apprehensive of introducing anything new.
The reality is, its difficult enough introducing the students I work with to a new game or book, let alone a new technology tool or device.  I do feel that as the year progress's forward, and student behaviors become a bit less intense, introducing new technology tools and devices in the classroom will be a much more positive contribution and a more welcoming experience for the students.
     Stage 5, the innovation stage, relates that teachers become more selective with their technology choices and use in the classroom.  Teachers in this stage focus on what technology works in the curriculum.  Technology now becomes part of the curriculum rather then the whole curriculum centering around it.  I feel the classroom I work in falls within this stage.  I feel we are definitely selective in the technology we implement into the curriculum, and the students are definitely able to utilize it if they want to.  However, I should note that in regards to the students I work with, technology use is at a much different level then one would expect for the age range of the students.  The main point is, we have found what works for the room, students, and curriculum, and we feel satisfied that we are meeting the students technology needs to the best of their abilities at this point in the school year.

  

Suprising research findings

    The Kaiser Family Foundation has related that the use of every type of media (with the exception of reading, which is crushing for me to internalize) has increased over the past ten years.  This finding alone is not overly shocking.  What is a bit startling to me was looking at the statistical data in regards to kids access to the many different media devices.  More to the point, the amount of time that kids spend utilizing the different types of available media on a daily basis.  It is also a bit disheartening for me to read that reading is an exception to the increase of media use.  A further statistic that stood out for me was from Project Tomorrows Speak Up.  2010 research findings show that half of girls and one third of boys regularly update their own social network sites.  It is stated that this is an increase of over 125% from 2005, and most are kids who are not even old enough to register legally on the sites!  UMMM, as a parent I am a bit taken back by this.  I guess this finding is a bit hard for me to except.  I am all about playing outside, creating projects from craft materials bought at Hobby Lobby, or engaging in a board game.  I can not imagine my son sitting and chatting on a social media web site.  However, I do realize the day will come, and with looking at current trends, that day will most likely come sooner then I expect.  By no means am I against social media web sites, what I am against is kids spending their afternoons and evenings glued to them.
    The Horizon report states that "The abundance of resources and relationships that are made more easily accessible via the Internet is challenging us to revisit our roles as educators".  In regards to this, I do feel that educators need to find ways to use this for their students academic advantage.  The bottom line is, technology is overwhelmingly available to kids.  I am certain most kids know more about the latest technological media devices and sites then I ever will.  Further, it ENGAGES them, much more then pencil and paper worksheets do.  Therefore, educators should utilize it for the benefits of academic learning as much as they can.  If it means students will participate and be actively involved in their learning, then why not?