Post date: Jun 5, 2017 2:03:46 AM
I have been spending more and more time in other schools and it has been a real eye-opener. Tech PD provided for teachers tends to focus on new and exciting ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. This is great because it can provide an impetus for teachers to jump in. However, I have recently started encountering more and more teachers who don't have what I would consider "basic" ICT skills. There are teachers who can't use Microsoft Word beyond typing and printing, teachers who can't create a graph in Excel, teachers who don't use Twitter or Facebook or even Pinterest. For these teachers, asking them to try something new and creative is daunting and terrifying. It's akin to asking a primary school student to solve an algebraic equation without first teaching them how to count.
The fact of it is that these teachers need to be able to use technology so they can model behaviour relating to tech and so they can answer (and ask) questions appropriately, not to mention for their own efficiency in the workplace! University teacher-training programs have exams that students must pass in literacy and numeracy before they can graduate. Why not a basic test for ICT skills? Surely, if we're going to ask teachers to apply the ICT General Capability, we need to ensure teachers have these abilities. And if they don't, teach them. One subject is not enough, as technology is encroaching in all areas of our lives, and our teaching.
Schools who have long-serving staff also have an obligation to help those staff get up to scratch with technology. And teachers who are long-serving have an obligation to get themselves trained. Technology is essential. Hiding our heads under the blanket and hoping for a solar flare is no longer an option. If you think this might be you, please get in touch. I'm happy to give you some support to get you started.