TECH 504 Week 1 Reflection
What strengths does your district/school/classroom have for embracing technology PLCs? I think my district has been very fortunate in regards to technology. We have been 1:1 K-12 for 11 years! We started out with iPads but now every student has a Chromebook. Every classroom has a SmartBoard or BenQ! We don't normally have issues with internet connectivity. We have an amazing tech team who answers/fixes tech issues in a timely manner. I teach elementary science and use some sort of technology everyday. I have a class set of iPads that we are able to use with Ozobots, Spheros, Lego Robots and Quiver. We are a Google school and our students are quite familiar with Drive, Docs, Slides and Sheets. I believe all of these things enhance our students' learning experiences.
What weaknesses does your district/school/classroom have for embracing technology PLCs? Lack of Chromebook loaners is the first thing that comes to mind. We are on year 3 of student devices so they are beginning to have issues and need maintenance more frequently. We just don't have enough to loan out when their device is out for service. We also have a few teachers who have been resistant to incorporate technology into their daily lessons. This may be due to the fear of the unknown or lack of confidence. Overcoming this may just take the help of a mentor teacher or PD. I also think that many upper elementary teachers are so focused on their students passing iLEARN...so this is what they teach and not the also important tech skills needed to not only navigate the state assessment but also to be career ready. Most feel they don't have the time to even teach digital citizenship, typing, or coding.
What has been most beneficial to you as you prepare to extend technology PLCs? One benefit of technology in the classroom would be the ability to gather and analyze data on student learning outcomes. Educators can gain insights into student progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of their students more effectively. Absolutely, collaborating with peers in this technology focused course (and others) allows us to share best practices, explore innovative teaching methods, and troubleshoot challenges together.
What challenges do you anticipate moving forward with integrating technology PLCs? Some challenges may include digital literacy, curriculum alignment, time constraints, technical support and privacy/security concerns.
What questions do you still have? What resources and support are available to teachers who are not familiar or comfortable with implementing technology PLCs in their classroom?