Teaching and Learning

"Teaching and Learning" in Technology




Based on a survey of my campus, the Texas STAR Chart indicates that my campus has been in the "developing" stage of the Teaching and Learning" category for the last few years. It is unfortunate that we have not advanced, but I suppose it is better than regressing.

Being an educator at that campus for 6 years, I know that the reason for the lack of progress in that category is due to the teaching veterans. They are the teachers who have been in the field for 20+ years. When you go into their classrooms, they either do not have the technology or do not use the technological resources they have. This is not to imply that all veteran teachers are reluctant to change with the times. I am simply stating what I have observed at my campus.

We ALL have our particular teaching methods and are, at times, reluctant to alter them and/or implement new methods. BUT, we do what we have to do in order to achieve our goals. My campus' veterans have not made any efforts to implement the new technology that the majority of newer teachers are currently using. This is not entirely their fault.

A few years ago, when white boards, cameras, etc., were introduced, teachers were given the option of attending training in order to receive new digital resources. New teachers (3 of us) attended. A few months later, a few more were trained. Since then, all newer teachers have the equipment, while the "old school" teachers continue with their preferred methods. Had the district mandated the professional development, our campus would be in a higher STAR Chart category and the students would be more familiar and successful in using new technology.