Technology's Role in School

In my view, technology levies the same importance in education as it does elsewhere.  Quite simply, technology is the medium through which so much of our business flows.  No aspect of our profession has been left untouched by technology.  Specifically, technology must make work more meaningful and efficient.  Schools must embrace technology using achievable technology plans.  Clearly, replacing and maintaining hardware will be a major challenge going forward.  Schools must see technology not only as a long-term part of their future infrastructure, but as part of curriculum as well.

Classroom opportunities abound for incorporating technology into instruction.  Technology can be used for remediation.  I have used Fast Math and other programs for this purpose.  In a project-based setting, technology must be the platform for individual and group student work.  Google Education Applications offer provide useful resources applicable to most situations.  These applications allow authentic student collaboration by digitally sharing documents and presentations.  Peer editing, surveys, and other work can be done in real time.  Google Applications, which come at no cost to districts, allow teachers to explore a new level of creativity in their lesson planning.  The use of technology is emphasized within the Common Core as well. 

Teachers must use technology for both formative and summative assessment.  I advocate programs such as Discovery Education and Mastery Connect for collecting and tracking student achievement data as it relates to Common Core standards.  Teachers should use these programs to assess their teaching.  Technology quickens the process of assessment and allows teachers to frequently check in on student progress.  Lesson planning will adjust more quickly to student need.  I would help teachers use technology to avoid long gaps of time between assessments.  In the end, technology can ease the process teachers go through to guide all students toward demonstrating proficiency across the Common Core standards.

Lastly, school administrators must use technology the same way a teacher would except on a building-wide scale.  Discovery Education and Mastery Connect offer data collection and tracking across all students.  The goal would be to identify instructional gaps.  Additionally, programs such as Fast Math and Scholastic Reading Inventory offer school reports.  Sites like ReadWorks.org are wonderful for incorporating more informational text into instruction.  Administrators should possess an extensive background in implementing technology throughout their practice and would seek to help others do so as well.