Do we really need a unifying framework?

I believe that it is better to allow individual schools develop their own policy/procedure and VISION for technology integration and here’s why:

Apologies for the following rant…

I think of the e-school I worked at in New Zealand. Each classroom had 12 thin client computers and a IWB. With an invitational, high trust school philosophy and a shared integration of technology vision, all teachers used technology everyday. This school built bridges to overcome so many of the barriers highlighted in Zhao and Frank’s paper:

• teacher attitude/expertise level: teachers were asked about their willingness to use ET in interviews
• belief in the value of ET: a shared belief in the school culture that technology enhances 21st century learning
• deciding how to use: sharing successes at weekly staff meetings and buddy teacher sharing
• staying current: weekly in-service training and cluster opportunities as well
• need for reliable support: in house technician available for technical difficulties

It was a superb school to work in and the teachers learned heaps from their students too. I compare this with the schools I am working with in the Middle East who still treat computers (technology!) as the Harry Potter of the family- quietly locking away the wonders and talents in the room under the stairs. ICT labs infuriate me. I want to move the computers into the classroom where the teachers can use them in their daily lessons. I don’t believe AUTHENTIC integration can happen until the technology is in the classroom where the teacher (and students) have access to it everyday. The educational reform has good intentions but not good enough…

Zhao and Frank state that “Schools resist changes that will put pressure on existing practices” (p.809). This made me question:

• Are our schools hostile habitats for the technology species?
• Have we no need for the nifty niche they can afford us?
• Can we not make the ‘computer’ the keystone species of all educational technologies?
• Do we not value diversity in our school ecosystems?
• In what ways is our relationship with computers at school symbiotic? Parasitic?