Ed Tech Evangelism.
Based on
my experience teaching this course previously, Instructional Technology
ADVOCACY has proved to be one theme that students have had some difficulty in
fully embracing. Advocacy, I’ve discovered through class discussions, is an
unexpected dimension of leading a school in the adoption and refining the use of
technology. Further, Ed Tech truly calls for advocacy, something that other aspects
of the life of a school do not require nearly as much of.
There are
a variety of types of Instructional Technology Advocacy.
Yes, certainly money is required to purchase devices; networking hardware and connectivity; and software, online subscriptions, APPs and other types of digital resource. And teachers interested in a school’s technology program receiving its fair share of that may need to lobby those who fund the school’s initiatives or decision makers within the school to allocate funds for this specific purpose. Another aspect of advocacy for funds may involve fund raising, applying for grants, seeking donations of equipment, and more.
Yes, certainly money is required to purchase devices; networking hardware and connectivity; and software, online subscriptions, APPs and other types of digital resource. And teachers interested in a school’s technology program receiving its fair share of that may need to lobby those who fund the school’s initiatives or decision makers within the school to allocate funds for this specific purpose. Another aspect of advocacy for funds may involve fund raising, applying for grants, seeking donations of equipment, and more.
School
Technology advocates may choose to focus on getting some more attention focused
on their area. Is technology considered when the school does PD, allocating not
just funds for this, but time, as well. Is Instructional technology considered
important? Important for the right reasons? This last point is important
because there are many reasons why tech should be used that are misperceptions
or common uses that establish an awareness of technology as far less important
than it actually is. Yes, it’s good to have a web page that students can go to
as their needs dictate that will provide information about which assignments
are due and when. This however, pales in comparison with the ways that
resources and practices like science simulations. Virtual field trips, digital
storytelling, student robotics, and more can literally make for a very much
richer, more vibrant, accessible, and effective type of instruction provided to
the students.
Advocacy
very likely will include also, Ed Tech Evangelism.
And related to this, simple Visioning, getting the school community to envision
what it wants and what it feels the greatest value would be, in refining and
expanding its technology program. What’s involved here is simply informing
colleagues about the role of technology and its potential in Education. What do
we mean by Ed Tech when we speak of it. What sorts of things is it and does it
do? Why is it important? How does it impact the important things that happen in
classrooms and schools? A great deal of potential success in establishing vital
and successful technology programs in schools rests on sharing knowledge,
understanding, and potential with colleagues who may have their position on it
greatly through such efforts. To that end, one very useful tool is video. A
good number of videos have already been created and made available on line for
this purpose. Can we identify a few that we feel have particular potential for
our advocacy efforts and that may even provide a starting point for our own efforts
in producing a video.
Below are
a few videos that I’ll start off this inquiry with. What do you think of these? Do
they make good points? Are they off base or misguided in the approach they take
or the points they make? What did they miss? What should be added or dropped? AND
can you find others to suggest be added to this list? Your input will be much
appreciated.
MG
- Can Technology Change Education?
Yes!: Raj Dhingra at TEDxBend https://youtu.be/l0s_M6xKxNc
- Beyond EdTech -- build an
effective learning ecosytem | David Miyashiro | TEDxAmericasFinestCity
https://youtu.be/_oAoTdQ80XI - What 60 Schools Can Tell Us
About Teaching 21st Century Skills: Grant Lichtman at TEDxDenverTeachers
https://youtu.be/UZEZTyxSl3g - Ed Tech Challenge: What is this
digital shift, and how do we make it happen?
https://youtu.be/eEv96XJHQp8
- Technology in Education
https://youtu.be/aXyCECMxhOs
- The history of technology in
education
https://youtu.be/UFwWWsz_X9s
- Technology in Education: A
Future Classroom
https://youtu.be/uZ73ZsBkcus
- Khan Academy: The future of
education?
https://youtu.be/zxJgPHM5NYI
- What is Educational Technology
https://youtu.be/gGY2cwWC8Ag
- 10 Emerging Education and
Instructional Technologies that Educators Should Know About
https://youtu.be/uPCLRwgG6dM
- What Is Educational Technology?
https://youtu.be/Q1PzO2kopRc
- Instructional technologies --
Changing teaching and learning | Eric Simon | TEDxNewEnglandCollege
https://youtu.be/E45A1UR1roE
- Instructional technologies --
Changing teaching and learning | Eric Simon | TEDxNewEnglandCollege
https://youtu.be/E45A1UR1roE
