Ertmer and Leftwich

This article attempts to examine, rather than the immediate benefits of information and communication technologies in the classroom, the nature of the environment and individual which is able to effectively incorporate such technology into an effective learning environment. From this perspective, the article analyzes preservice and inservice teachers as having different backgrounds and separate obstacles to overcome when it comes to incorporating technology effectively. The article offers numerous suggestions and ideas on how both the teachers and their environment may be modified to overcome these obstacles.

                For preservice individuals, the authors suggest sufficient background to the point of that instructor’s criterion be ultimately based on the ability to effectively teach with technology. To do this, it is suggested that these teachers be exposed to methods for and examples of effective technology incorporation within the classroom.

                Inservice teachers are acknowledged as having greater obstacles to overcome, I that they may be set in their methods and introduction of outside technology to a seemingly functional environment would be understandably unappealing. To overcome this, introduction to successful models as well as a tiered system recognizing the progressive importance of familiarity, expertise and personal belief as necessities for successful inclusion. I doubt I do the entire article complete justice here, but hope I hit on the key points.

                My most pressing concern for the ideas expressed in this article is that effective teaching is not reliant upon the mastery of applicable technologies. The article seems to state this several times and I completely disagree. The article, in fact, makes several allusions to the ineptitude of any instructor who is not using technology effectively within the classroom, which I do not believe sets prospective or current teachers with a helpful mindset nor do I believe is true in any way.

                What I do believe, and an argument which the article makes well is that teachers should make every effort to expand and adapt their lesson plans to changing times, which will likely include the effective incorporation of new technologies if the students are to gain the most benefit from their classes. It may be difficult to see how these are particularly different ideas, but in my mind they could not be more opposed. On of these concepts encourages personal growth and continued learning while the other disparages instructors who may work very hard and have different emphasis on what is important for students to learn in their classroom. Whatever you definition of effective technology in the classroom, It need not incorporate only cutting edge devices as a means to being relevant to the world. Quite the contrary, technology will only ever be a medium by which we can better (or worse) express ourselves within a discipline.

                While that dichotomy frustrated me a bit, believe the authors here have compiled a highly effective outline for how to encourage yourself and others to be more progressive in the incorporation of technology within the classroom. I believe this has rendered me more aware as a potential instructor and look forward to taking these opportunities in my professional development.