Implementing Information Technology Solutions In The Classroom Is Difficult

When talking with professors and school administrators, they will tell you that given a certain information technology solution, one of the hardest things to do is effectively handle and implement that solution in the classroom. Many times, IT resources, in the form of hardware, software and training, is made available to educators and teaching professionals in great quantities. The technology is to be doled out to each and every student, for example one laptop per child projects, or ensuring that every learner has an advanced graphing calculator. The IT department feels that just giving the teachers the equipment is adequate, that their job is done. Teachers on the other hand have trouble formulating a lesson plan using the available technology. Information in the form of guidance is inadequate from the Information Technology department, and the educator is forced to make it up as he or she goes along. For some teachers, this is enough. They are already familiar with other technology solutions, and have an easier time merging in this new piece of hardware or software into their teaching rhythm. For others, though, who may not be as comfortable with a particular information technology solution, this may be more difficult. They at times certainly ignore computing resources available to them. There are the cases where a piece of equipment sits unused in the corner of the learning environment, because the professor cannot figure out how to operate it. Then there are the examples where students can operate the technology better than the teachers. This has a negative impact on the students and for the future of information technology uses in the classroom. Pupils may be subject to a mismatch of learning resources, depending on the random nature of which teachers or professor they get assigned to. Educators may never realize the many upsides and problems associated with implementing an information technology solution in the classroom. Some of the problem lies in deciding on a correct information technology solution for the learning environment. The other part of the problem is getting a baseline of teacher skills and ability with the piece of technology they are expected to use to teach their students. The many options available to school IT departments also muddles the issue, since there are currently weak or no standards delineating requirements for information technology in the classroom, and many IT and computer resource departments go with the latest gadgets. But having too simple, or too rigorous standards or requirements will squander the purpose of implementing an information technology solution in the education space anyway, since the idea is the learner is getting familiar with the future while learning their coursework. Implementing an information technology solution in the classroom is an area that still needs a lot of work and discussion, with the main goal in mind of teaching children to use technology, while getting an adequate education.

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