At our institution I believe that our Technology Education Innovation team and our Executive Director of Technology lead the decision making process for technology purchases. There is also a committee with faculty representation that participates in the technology decisions. In the past I have not been involved in this process, but recently the budget process changed and Divisions are now being asked to propose future needs, to include technology.
After piloting two Voicethread activities this past semester, as part of the Elevate course, I reached out to the TEI team and asked if we could purchase it. At first I was informed that we may be able to be part of a pilot that the State University of New York (SUNY) system is conducting. But the concern was that only a few teachers would use the tool making it difficult to justify in the future.
I explained that I could envision its application in many different disciplines across the College and that this would be a particularly valuable tool for our online courses. Later I heard one of the faculty reps from the technology committee also praising the value of Voicethread making me think that this will be a priority in the future.
I realize now that the more I experiment with technology and learn about its application in the teaching learning process the more I can participate in these discussions. I am particularly interested in collaborating with the language faculty to identify the optimal strategies and tools for our curriculum. Currently, only a couple of us are using technology to any serious degree. I would like to set up faculty exchanges in which we introduce technology to others in our department and share activity ideas. I am confident that his will energize innovations in our classrooms and give us the concrete data needed to convince the 'powers that be' to make purchases to support our efforts.
The quote "knowledge is power" comes to mind. Prior to studying technology I didn't feel qualified to voice an opinion about technology integration, but the more I learn the more I want to try and share.
Until next week,
New York Country Winter
Hi Theresa, it makes sense that you have to jump in first and try out the tools to then take part in those interesting, decisive conversations with your peers. However, as we know, it can be daunting, so the fact that you have adopted that attitude will surely make you stand out to your colleagues as well as students!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Theresa! I organize an event called "Language Technology Share Fair" every year but it does not have to be limited to languages. It's in the spring, takes place over one day, each teacher presents for 15 minutes on something they have done using technology and I invite a keynote to give a talk over the lunch hour. It is more of an informal show and tell with snacks and refreshment. I really enjoy it every year! Food for thoughts:-)
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