It is not that public schools don't know the importance of technology integration, it's the barriers to integrating that result in schools not having the latest, greatest, or fastest technology for their students. This book not only addresses these barriers, but offers researched solutions that are of low to no cost.
Michele Wages is an instructional coordinator for one of the largest school districts in Texas. She has also served as an assistant professor teaching emergent and developing literacy and diagnosis and remediation of reading at elementary level to elementary education majors.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION PREFACE CHAPTER 1: COST (LACK OF RESOURCES). CHAPTER 2: SOLUTION: INNOVATE WITH TOOLS YOU ALREADY HAVE CHAPTER 3: LACK OF EFFECTIVE TRAINING (KNOWLEDGE) CHAPTER 4: SOLUTION: SEEKOUT FREE, EASY TO USE DIGITAL RESOURCES CHAPTER 5: RESISTANCE TO ADOPTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES (ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS) CHAPTER 6: SOLUTION: OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN CHAPTER 7: TOO MUCH RED TAPE (STUDENT'S COMPUTING SKILLS) CHAPTER 8: SOLUTION: START WITH SMALL, FAST PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE LEARNING CHAPTER 9: INSUFFICIENT NFASTRUCTURE (NETWORK INFASTRUCTURE) CHAPTER 10: SOLUTION: SUPPORTING INTERNET TECHNOLOGY/INTERNET ACCESS CHAPTER 11: EFFECTS OF HIGH STAKES TESTING ON TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION CHAPTER 12: SOLUTION: INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGY INTO THE CURRICULUM CONCLUSION REFERENCES
This book is a must-read for educational leaders who want to ensure their schools have the necessary tools to implement and sustain an effective educational technology program. Common barriers are addressed and low-cost solutions are provided in this very practical toolkit to prepare teachers and students for 21st- century learning. -- Anita Waters, professional and digital learning specialist Technology continues to evolve to meet the diverse needs of today's students. Dr. Wages delves deeply into barriers schools face related to technology integration and backs up her reasoning with relevant research. Every educator should read this book to understand what technological gaps their students may be facing that hinder learning. Besides pointing out challenges, Dr. Wages also offers low or no cost solutions to these obstacles, furthering the development of 21st century skills in our students and staff. -- Rebecca Beck, professional and digital learning specialist
