Perspectives to Barriers of Technology Integration

 

Teacher Perspective

Teachers’ negative opinions of technology integration are brought on by cost, lack of time, training, support, and resources. The use of technology in the classroom necessitates planning, good classroom management techniques, and attention that is not typically given to digital citizenship lessons. Hence, teachers would rather keep teaching simple by maintaining the current system. According to research, offering teachers opportunities for professional development relating to using technology in the classroom does not result in increased levels of integration (Harrell & Bynum, 2018).

Positive perceptions of technology integration included increased engagement, motivation, attitude, and understanding by the students. Hence, when all these elements were considered, school attendance and academic achievement greatly improved (Carver, 2016).

Student Perspective

As a digital native, familiar with digital systems, and using technology to solve problems, digital devices for each student are crucial to improving students’ perception of the classroom setting. Given that today's digital natives rely on graphics for communication, wireless display and dual screens for students were essential for teaching, sharing learning outcomes, and teamwork, (Yang et al., 2017).

In schools where there is a 1:1 student-to-computer ratio, the majority of students' access to technology doesn't mean that each student has a personal device; rather, it implies that students share computer labs or classroom areas. Although students desire to use technology more in the classroom, the tools simply aren't there. (Harrell & Bynum, 2018).

Parent Perspective

Parents believe that the use of technology and hands-on learning in the classroom should be balanced. Many people think that educators are substituting technology for solid practices in the classroom. Parents worry that as a result of the growing technology integration, their children would have less developed social skills and poorer information retention than earlier students. Many people are concerned that young children are being exposed to technology too early because technology integration is starting sooner and earlier in most districts. Concerns about screen time and monitoring student technology use have been voiced by parents with good reason (Maxwell et al., 2020).

Employee Perspective

Technology is everywhere in today's workplace. Employees view technology as instruments for conducting business and as a social process for transforming input into output and achieving organizational goals. Organizations encounter obstacles such as rapid improvements in technology, in addition to many of the previously mentioned obstacles such as lack of Wi-Fi, electricity, and resources (Joshua-Gojer et al., 2015).

Conclusion

All of the aforementioned impressions have my complete agreement. All of the same obstacles existed for me as a teacher, with the exception of the internal obstacle of self-efficacy. I would have included technology into the classroom if I had the opportunity, knowledge, and resources most critically needed. I would have loved technological integration in the classroom as a student, but while I was in school, all we had were projectors, pencils, paper, and teachers. As a parent, I want my kids to learn in a classroom that incorporates technology. If we want kids to be prepared for the future, they shouldn't study in the same way that individuals learned 20 years ago. Last but not least, as a staff member attempting to assist students with filling out electronic applications, Wi-Fi connectivity, outdated payment methods, and resource limitations have been challenges that we continue to work around.

Solutions for Barriers of Technology Integration

• Solar Panels for lower energy consumption.
• Fundraising for resources.
• Instruction Technology Specialist who support teachers.
• Bring your own mobile device, so students can have an actual 1-to-1 ratio.
• Transparency with parents, so they can feel confident about how technology is being integrated in the classroom.
• Invite parents to attend workshops and orientation in order to provide them with information on how technological devices or programs should be used.
• Advise on the importance of technology to your organization’s goals.
• Create surveys to gain different perspectives of the technology in the workplace.

 

Resources

Carver, L. B. (2016, January). Teacher perception of barriers and benefits in K-12 technology usage - ed. ERIC. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1086185.pdf

Harrell, S., & Bynum, Y. (2018). Factors affecting technology integration in the classroom. ERIC. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1194723.pdf

Joshua-Gojer, A. E., Allen, J. M., & Gavrilova-Aguilar, M. (2015). Technology Integration in Work Settings. Word Press. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://sageprofessor.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/technology-integration-in-work-settings.pdf

Maxwell, J. C., Kamp, J., & Cullen, T. (2020, November 30). Parent perceptions of technology use in K-12 classrooms. SRATE Journal. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1306218

Yang, J., Yu, H., Gong, C., & Chen, N.-S. (2017). Students’Perceptions and Behaviour in Technology Rich Classroom and ... EURASIA Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.ejmste.com/download/students-perceptions-and-behaviour-in-technology-rich-classroom-and-multi-media-classroom-4683.pdf