Teacher+Involvement+in+Technology+Planning

Research on classroom integration of information and communication technologies has found that technology, in and of itself, does not directly change teaching or student learning (Grégoire, Bracewell, & Laferrière, 1996). One of the necessary factors for the effective application of technology is involving teachers in technology planning. Teachers serve as the //frontline// implementers of technology integration. Their buy-in to building-level and divisionwide technology planning is essential to the successful implementation of strategies for increasing and improving technology integration. Teacher feedback from past professional development is vital; their continual feedback and participation in future professional development planning helps ensure the activities adequately meet the needs of teachers. Teachers, by their positions, are part of an instructional team in a school; consequently, they should be part of any technology planning team aiming to make a positive impact on instruction and learning. A local technology plan—fully aligned with the //Educational Technology Plan of Virginia: 2003-09—//should be developed by a technology committee comprising those responsible for implementing the plan, including teachers.