Journal 1: Do Teachers Need a Personal Trainer?

Citation:
Owens, Aileen M (June/July 2009). Do your teachers need a personal trainer? Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved 07-13-09, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_July.htm

Summary:
This article talks about the difficulties faced by school districts in learning how to integrate technology into the classrooms. It shows how traditional ways of instructing teachers in the use of computers, though highly effective, was too time consuming, too labor intensive, and was too difficult to maintain with a school or district worth of teachers. The innovative solution to this problem was the creation of a program called the Student Internship Program for Instructional Technology. This program used student teachers that were already proficient in the use of technology in education and matched them with teachers who were lacking in those skills. The program, so far, has been a success for both teachers and interns. The teachers were able to get the help and instruction they needed, and the interns were able to get hands on teaching experience and also valuable material to include in their portfolios.

Why is this type of program necessary?
This program is necessary as the use of technology has increased and become a major component of education. It is necessary to ensure that teachers are able to fully understand the use of technology and are able to implement it in their lesson plans. This ensures that the children of tomorrow are exposed to the types of technology and resources available to them and are able to use them successfully.

Is this a program that many teachers would participate in?
I feel that this type of program would be very beneficial to all teachers, regardless of their level of proficiency in educational technology tools. It would serve as a vital tool in helping those teachers that are lacking in technology skills, and it would also act a refresher course for those that are already proficient. There are many new tools being developed daily, and it would be useful to have someone show you how to use them. I believe most, if not all, teachers would participate in this type of program.