The Problem
Technology has become commonplace in schools, and its availability to teachers has increased dramatically in recent years. At Fredericksburg Academy, in our lower school, instructional technologies (computers, iPads, projectors, and document cameras) are available for teachers to integrate into their instruction, but these devices are used infrequently and ineffectively. Professional development involving technology integration has not been made a priority, and so technology use has not increased. Last year, a series of webinars developed by PLP (Powerful Learning Practices) were mandated by the administration. The purpose of the curriculum was to enlighten teachers to the power of technology in their classrooms and as a personal learning tool. Unfortunately, the very format of these sessions presented in webinars with participants from throughout the US and overseas, was not very accessible for teachers who were novices with technology. The administration also insisted that teachers participate independently, instead of in groups as the teachers strongly requested. This left many teachers feeling completely unprepared to participate, and so they did not. The teachers still lack the skills, and more importantly, the confidence, to successfully integrate technology into their daily practice.