Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators

Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators

Summary:
This article addresses the questions "what type of training is necessary?" and "how much training is sufficient?" in relation to instructional technology. Diaz states four principles for technology training which are all created around the student and their learning! The four principles are emphasize good teaching, not good technology, focus training on application, not construction, make product development a team effort, and bring more training to the teacher, not the teacher to the training. All of his ideas can be used as a strong foundation for administrators and technology specialists to plan and implement in-services to train teachers how to use technology in their classrooms.

At one point Diaz states, "To create technology products (e.g., Web sites and multimedia presentations) these days, faculty must learn multiple new skills within a vast array of hardware, software, and peripherals, and keep these skills current in the face of increasingly rapid technological change."

Value?
I believe this article is very valuable for media and technology students because it addresses key issues that we all need to remember as we plan and reflect on ways to use technology successfully to enhance student learning. The most important thing Diaz mentions is the fact that student learning is the focal point and to "emphasize good teaching, not good technology." He tells us the importance of not solely training teachers to use the technology, but training them on all the skills and concepts that can be taught using the technology. This article is a quick read, but full of very beneficial ideas relating to integrating technology and professional development for teachers.

Diaz, D. (2001). Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators. The Technology Source Archives. Retrieved August 30, 2010, from http://technologysource.org/article/taking_technology_to_the_classroom/