Activity 9 - School readiness framework

What I consider to be the most important elements of school technology readiness:

In looking over my comments on the readiness factor, I read a lot of the frustration that I am undergoing at present.  Being a government school placed in a middle-class residential area, we neither attract much  nor appall the public with our presence.  By and large our school tends to have little by way of high risk behaviour.  Technology is something which is very available, yet the means to use it effectively are very limited.  

The most important elements in school technology readiness are:

1. Unity of vision in terms of technology use.
2. Physical infrastructure
3. Staff development
4. Financial resources.

If able, I would put numbers 2 and 3 on the same line because I think that they are two aspects that ought to work together.  Physical infrastructure would include connectivity as well as classroom renovation.  Staff development includes training in ICT, but also in pedagogy to suit ICT integration practices.  I put the first one where it is because if there is no shared vision in terms of what is needed and required, anything can and will continue to happen on an ad hoc basis.  One example of this in my over 50 year old school, is the provision of computers for the business subjects, in an upper floor which is old, wooden and disintegrating.   The short term means and needs dictated the purchase, but the policy and protocol surrounding floor renovation were and still are involved processes from which there seems to be little relief.  

The money aspect  placed last, not in consideration, but in applicability.   Throwing money at a situation will not solve it.  Again, needs must be identified, before funds are allocated.

Thoughts from self-activities

Recently, I came across 2 articles which detailed present, successful attempts at ICT integration.

Bringing America's students to the Digital Age.  

This was an article I found recently and it surprised me that only 20% of the schools in the USA have connectivity.  It takes a presidential decree to agree to 99% in the next 5 years.  Does that mean that we are farther ahead than I think we are?  Nope.  Because actions by themselves cannot work without attitudes.  The most enlightening part of this article was the last paragraph.  The school with least money to spend on students did well nationally due to an aggressive ICT integration policy.

 Apple helps a struggling UK school

I wonder what I could do for my school to get help like this!  Again, vision meeting attitude and resources equalled success.  I would like to think that the day will come when iPd distribution does not go only as far as the Parliament, but also with teachers, who must use same to justify their use.

I continue to reference Dewey's quote on m powerpoint presentation: 'If we teach today the way we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow'.  I am glad I found it, because it helps me put into perspective my continuing vision as a teacher.