Week 9: Teachers and Technology

What do teachers need to know about technology?

Teachers need to have a basic understanding of how to operate the current technology within there district. They should also seek professional development and training to become proficient in these technologies. The knowledge of how to implement these technologies into their lessons should also be a goal of educators. By gaining an understanding of new technologies, students will be more engaged in the content, and it will help teachers in addressing the different learning styles. They should also become competent in the technologies used by their students. These would enhance the development of curriculum, and it would make concepts relevant to the students in their everyday lives.

In attempting to achieve these goals, a needs assessment should be done to appraise the current knowledge base of the personnel. The needs assessment will give an evaluation of teachers current technology capabilities, and it will also provide a look at what steps need to be taken to reach the goals of the district. This will provide an indication of the limitations and competence level of the staff as well as identify what professional development needs to be implemented. From there, a technology plan can be developed which best meets the needs of the district.