Instructional+Technology+Assumptions

Our next Study Group Session is scheduled for this Thursday. It will be rescheduled to a later date as there are many conflicts. In the mean time, in preparation for our discussion, I will ask each of you to take the time to think about what are some the negative assumptions that are made about Instructional Technology, why are these assumptions made, and are they really true? Pam and I believe that in order for this study group to work effectively, you must have more ownership in the process. Therefore, we would like you all to participate in some Action Research. This action research will focus on two areas:
 * Does Instructional Technology actually increase Student Achievement?
 * Are the negative assumptions we make about Instructional Technology true, if so, what can we do about them?

We are thinking one of the best ways to address these areas is for you to pair up and observe each other, then brainstorm on your ideas. In addition, you will need to look at the assumptions we listed and collect data/information proving/disproving its validity.

Our final meeting is in March, and it is at this meeting that we would like to synthesize our data/information and conclude what we learned from our action research. We will also want to provide suggestions for improvement for Professional Development in the area of Instructional Technology.

Therefore, over the next few days, please post your thoughts on the some of the assumptions that are made regarding Instructional Technology. Also, be prepared to speak about what you have discovered trying to inspire others, embed professional development, or expand Instructional Technology in your buildings. I know many of you have been trying different things, for those who have yet to try anything, you may want to try something soon. We plan to ask each of you to contribute to the dialogue. Posting to the wiki has been very poor, so we need to improve on that as well.

For those attending NYSCATE, we will also discuss logistics for traveling to and from Rochester.

Any questions, let me know. Looking forward to reading your thoughts. Post your assumptions below, Pam and I already have ours posted....

BF

=**__Assumptions specific to Instructional Technology__**=

4. Adding to #3, it is easier to recover from a non-technology-based lesson that falls flat, than from a technology-dependent one if the technology totally fails or our understanding of it does. 5. Instructional Technology creates good teaching.
 * 1) Instructional Technology grades K-8 tend to focus on games rather than learning.
 * 2) All teenagers love to use technology and computers.
 * 3) If I rely on technology then something could go wrong, making it too much of a risk.