Technologically Challenged

After participating in two technology surveys, I find that I am nearly "kicking the bucket" on the continum of tech-savvy (alive and kicking) and tech-illiterate (suffocating). My strengths seem to be in the areas of using software programs to produce reports or presentations. While the inventory indicates proficient in these areas, I know that I do not know all the tools within these programs. The following are my findings based on these two surveys.

Technology Applications Inventory

Foundations Domain: My strengths in this area include keyboarding proficiently, being able to save files, and understanding digital file formats. Although I am aware of some of these standards, I remain a bit "shaky" in fully knowing all there is to know about these terms. My weaknesses in this area have to do with determining RAM requirements, the difference between analog and digital technology, and understanding all of the terminology for the Internet.

Information Acquisition Domain: While I am fairly inept when searching information, I could learn better strategies to narrow my search to locate desired information easier. Skills in which I need to improve include creating and using audio and video files and understanding graphic files and their differences.

Problem Solving with Technology Tools Domain: I am comfortable using word processing technology, but I am sure there are certain applications that I still need to discover. I feel that I am weak using many graphic tools available and using virtual environments. Another weak area is using collaboration and share technology. This is one area that I feel is important to be able to learn more from others within the collaborating group.

Communication Domain: While I can create basic presentations, I need more learning using video streaming to enhance them. The areas that need improvement are using telecommunications, electronic evaluation, and evaluation of products.

SETDA Teacher Survey

The second survey asked more questions related to the overall technology environment in my school. My findings are as follows:

While technology is used to some degree in my classroom, I am a long way from where I should be in its integration into the curriculum. I use tools daily to teach, but students are not manipulating technology daily to construct their own learning. As far as collecting data to determine if technology is making a decisive different in my students' learning, this is not occurring as far as I know. However, as a subjective observation, I know when I plan lessons and projects that allow students to use technology, students seem more engaged in learning. When using technology students do not communicate via email as they do not have access to it. In integration, we have not explored real-world problems and situations or collaborated with students beyond our school.

The school as a whole has a technology plan which is developed by a technology committee, but according to that plan we remain a campus developing our use of technology. We need much improvement in on-going technology training, and much more information is needed on how to integrate it with real-life situations. Moreover, all teaching staff needs to be aware of our technology strengths and weaknesses for each individual to plan professional development to improve. Furthermore, when we use technology a format is needed to share and collaborate with each other to further our knowledge and expertise.

These two assessments have opened my eyes to the fact that I am a technology immigrant that has much to learn to be more effective in using the wide array of tools available to teach, plan, and organize.