Barriers to the effective use of technology in Education.

In order to remove any barriers for the effective use of technology in education to progress, we must  identify them. This is the first step needed if progress is to be made within the ICT environment.
Dawes (2000) highlighted 5 important factors, after a study conducted within schools in the Midlands. For the purpose of this Blog I have chosen two factors to discuss.
These are :
1) A sense of purpose for ICT use, and 2), Realistic time management.

As Teachers, we can sometimes find ourselves in a 'catch 22' situation by considering the following points : a) How can we decide which new technology to use if we have no experience of what it can do ? and b) If we do not know how to use it ?.

I would suggest that in order for us as Teachers to 'keep up to date' with the ever rapidly changing face of technology, we need to ask ourselves if we can answer the two questions aforementioned. The only way to achieve this successfully is to recognise the vital part that Technology plays within the classroom, and within Education itself. Furthermore, as Teachers we have a professional responsibility to update ourselves regularly, so that we can in turn update our learners.

Furthermore, and with regard to realistic time management, I acknowledge that computers and new technology save an inordinate amount of time within our daily lives. However, this does not detract from the issue that they do not decrease the amount of time the operator spends on performing the related tasks ( this is from personal experience). I would suggest that there are important implications  for realistic time management, given that the majority of planning for lessons is done at home.

Whilst the use of home computers can be used to 'streamline' the work load, a possible disadvantage may be that it can add to the time spent undertaking teacher related tasks. This is turn can detract from the time needed to spend on family orientated tasks/ activities.

'What we do alters who we are'
(Zimbardo and Lieppe, 1991).

References :
Dawes, L. (2000a) 'The National Grid for learning and the professional development of teachers : outcomes of an opportunity for change', De Montfort University : Unpublished PhD Thesis.
Zimbardo, P and Lieppe,M (1991) The Psychology of Attitude Change and Social Influence, New York ; McGraw-Hill Inc.
Leask,Marilyn (2001) Issues in Teaching using ICT (Ed).
Routledge Falmer London.