Three Common Barriers to Technology Integration

With the rate of change in technology moving so fast, sometimes it is hard for us to keep up. Teacher and students alike must pay attention to these changes for in it arises new tools to teach old lessons with. Sometimes there are certain barriers that prevent us from keeping up in this great technological race. The three main barriers that I believe are holding today's schools back from integrating technology are money, fear of the unknown and lack of broadband access in homes.

           The first and biggest barrier preventing technology integration in schools is money. Many schools just can not afford to have all the hardware of the future in the classrooms. I think that this is the one of the major factors contributing to the slow change with technology being used in schools. Since the constitution left education up to each state, they probably will not help to fund most schools with new technology either. This puts a heavy burden on the state one of which it does not really have the capital to finance.

            The second barrier that I believe is holding back technology integration in the schools is the fear of the unknown Boss (2008). I believe that most schools have a very "old fashioned" idea of presenting the lessons to the student. If there are new ways of presenting a lesson, then that means many teachers will have to learn how to use the new tools effectively. Some teachers are set in their old ways and do not like the idea of using technology in schools. This will mean that they will feel uncomfortable and have to learn with their students Boss (2008).

           The final barrier that I believe is holding back the integration of technology in schools is the lack of broadband access in the homes. Even though the Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded on the idea of the Communications Act of 1934 and provided an E-Rate program to provide networking capabilities for schools and libraries, the homes are left out. I believe many districts see this and believe that implementing a technology program in the schools will be a waste because the students will not have access at home.

           One practical solution that I believe will help integrate technology is a program that is implemented by the federal government. I think that the federal government should expand on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and help provide more funding for the states and help them to start placing more technology in the classrooms. I believe one way to start change is to get a group of teachers together and start to discuss what is needed and to develop a plan to follow.

References

Solomon, G. & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools. Washington D.C.; International Society for Technology in Education.

Boss, S. Overcoming Technology Barriers: How to innovate without extra money or support. Retrieved March 7, 2009 from http://www.eutopia.org/technology-how-to-implement-classroom