Blurts

I got all excited about this post until my wife told me that this is some time off and what goes into the budget is not necessarily what happens.

President Obama expects to request new funding in the federal budget for the next fiscal year specifically to help teachers and administrators obtain professional development to help them make the transition to digital learning. Obama made the remarks during a talk he gave Feb. 4 a Buck Lodge Middle School in Maryland.

Some years ago the Department of Education sponsored a similar program for preservice teachers (PT3 – preparing tomorrows teachers to use technology). The program ran for several years and then was discontinued. I thought the PT3 program was productive. The issue of technology integration is complicated and while I think we understand many of the issues they are complicated to address. There are issues involving preparation, support, and priorities. Clearly, we have learned that using technology cannot be assumed to transfer to using technology in instruction or understanding the role of technology in learning. Preservice teachers moving into the work force appear to temporarily regress while focusing on other expectations they see as more important. Teachers report being pressured to deal with student performance expectations they are not comfortable with projects allowing student independence. There is even of the issue of whether these are genuine problems or excuses.

Here is another link which seems to imply some professional development money will be available immediately.