Educator Preparation and Development in the Long Range Plan for technology is concerned with the preparation of educators. Educators must be able to facilitate learning for our students while using the most recent technology available. Teachers must have a thorough knowledge of all software, strategies, and techniques available in the area of technology. Many educators are not against using knew techniques but are unsure of the various uses and benefits technology can provide.
At the local level our district has remained in the developing technology phase of growth in the past three years. At the state and national level this trend appears to be the same. What appears to be the reason for this trend is the lack of time and finances available to make needed improvements. Providing substitutes while teachers our out for training cost the district money, and providing training during the summer also cost the district.
My suggestion for this area is incentives to teachers who put the extra time and effort into the training needed to bring about change for the districts students. Districts must include in their budgets necessary money for the training of teachers in the area of technology. Many times this is an after thought; instead it must be at the forefront of planning.
I could not agree with you more. Unfortunately,as you probably find in your campus, there seem to be so many "other" important things. This seems to be pushed off to the side. If it is done at the campus level it is because it is not being prioritized at the disctrict level. Funding is usually an issue. Incentives and teachers go hand in hand. Teachers put in so much time already that they may be hesistant to try anything new. If teachers are reminded that this is an investment for them and their professional growth, they may be more willing or open to the idea. The extra money never hurt a teacher.
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