Reprinted with permission of copyright holder.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION

Technology Integration in education discussion Paper: MLA Implementation Team (1995). Alberta Education. pp 1-15.

What we Want to Accomplish | Challenges | Planning For Technology Integration

 

How can technology aided telecommunications be best used in Alberta's education system to improve student learning and performance?

What evidence is there to suggest that technology has a positive impact on learning and teaching?

How can technology aided telecommunications be best used to improve access to programs and overall system productivity in Alberta's education system?

"The future of Alberta lies in the hands of all of us the task of building that future must begin today."

Ralph Klein, Premier

These are only a few of the important questions that theTechnology Team has considered. As Alberta students enter the Information Age,they Will need to update their skills and knowledge continually. They will be using technology and telecommunications in every aspect of their lives. They need to be confident and optimistic about their ability to use these new tools.

While Alberta's education system has undergone many structural changes, the teaching and learning processes have changed little. Technology provides the opportunity to make instruction much more effective and improve student learning substantially.

Experience across Canada shows that technology is an effective tool to improve student learning. Multimedia learning resources help students to grasp difficult concepts and retain that learning longer. Technology can bring learning opportunities to students in small rural schools that previously were available only in urban centres.

Technology provides teachers with powerful tools. It makes it practical to personalize instruction to meet the wide range of student learning needs evident in every classroom. It becomes possible to use more varied approaches to learning and to keep track of each student's progress. Teachers are more effective because they can focus more of their time on instruction and devote less energy to administrative tasks.

"Alberta's education system must move in new directions to continue to provide a relevant, quality education for all Alberta students." Halvar Jonson, Minister of Education

Students and teachers are no longer limited to the contents of a single textbook or to what is available in local libraries. The total storehouse of human knowledge is becoming accessible and the Internet makes it available electronically, anywhere, anytime.

These are not vague promises of future technologies. We can do it now. Some students and some teachers are already making use of technology in Alberta schools. But we have a long way to go to ensure equitable affordable access to technology and telecommunications throughout the province. All our schools must be equipped and all our teachers given the skills to use the new tools. We are convinced that strategic planning at both the provincial and school board levels is essential to ensure our children's future and make our educational system ready for the next century.

What We Want To Accomplish

The directions and recommendations discussed in this paper would result in fundamental changes to our educational system-especially at the secondary level. We believe that simply putting more computers in classrooms is not the solution. We need to think about technology integration in a broader context: how technology impacts student learning,curriculum, teacher education, learning resources, partnerships, access and planning. Each piece plays a critical role in ensuring that technology is systematically and effectively implemented and in producing undeniable benefits to teaching and learning.

"To really take advantage of the Information Age tools in education, the challenge is not to use them to do the old job better but to do something new."

David Thornburg,Technology Futurist

We need to establish a strong consensus on the direction to take and on how to make it happen. It will mean setting priorities and making decisions about the various roles of government, educators, school boards, parents and the business community. We believe that we have to start now and we have to get it right if Alberta is to maintain its educational and economic advantage.

We have listened to many experts and have been helped by the Technology Advisory Committee to draft the recommendations in this report. We want to hear which recommendations you support and what other things we should consider as we formulate a plan of action.

"New decision-making processes are needed to encourage consensus and public support for the fundamental changes required in the future."

Seizing Opportunities

Note: Technology integration referred to in this paper focuses on the use of computer and telecommunications technologies, rather than the general meanings of "applied science" or "system to achieve desired result."

Challenges

There are many challenges ahead in changing an education system that has evolved largely in the absence of technology. While there are many positive features of the current system, we believe that continuing down the same road will not be in the best interests of young Albertans as they face a very different world and future. The challenges we must address go beyond the education system. They include more coordinated effort involving government, school jurisdictions, business and other provinces.

These challenges include:

• ensuring that all Alberta students have equitable access to technology and technology experiences regardless of where they go to school, or what their particular learning circumstances may be
• ensuring that all teachers are computer literate and have the necessary training and support to maintain their knowledge and skills levels
• building a level of trust and support for technology as a positive influence in education
• demonstrating accountability at all levels that investments in technology have resulted in improved student learning
• determining priorities for investment at decision-making levels having the greatest impact on needs of students
• building a telecommunications infrastructure in the province that is affordable and capable of meeting educational requirements well into the future
• ensuring efficiency and maximization of provincial funds to support publicchange
• finding the necessary financial resources from within the current allocation ofeducation funds, other government sources, and in partnership with others, recognizing that new investments may be needed that will require reassessing priorities
• creating efficient development of technology-based resources through provincial and interprovincial collaboration
• building partnerships and alliances with business, communities, and other provinces to help reduce costs and to provide and maintain the technology infrastructure
• building smooth transitions between levels of education and grades through the use of technology
• upgrading and rewiring schools to meet new standards for telecommunications technologies
• coordinating and planning technology initiatives within education
• ensuring that provincial and jurisdictional allocations of funds to support technology integration are appropriate to address learning and teaching needs

"Technology is both a catalyst that propels education and a tool that makes change possible."

The Electronic School, Sept.'92

Planning For Technology Integration

While it is important to know where we are going, it is equally important to know how we are going to get there. The following sections represent key areas we believe need to be addressed in our report to the Minister of Education. Our recommendations must be clear in what they will accomplish and what actions should be taken. They must be reasonable in terms of cost to Alberta taxpayers, and realistic in what can be achieved over the next three to five years.

"Current global trends indicate the necessity of dynamic and results-based education, and developing skills and the ability to adjust to emerging technologies and on-the-job changes."

Seizing Opportunities

Our perspective of the current situation is outlined in these sections. We have also proposed a view of where we would like Alberta to be, and suggested recommendations for action to help us get there. As you read through the sections,consider the implications of these recommendations. Are they appropriate? Have we overlooked any important elements? The advice we receive from Albertans is important in shaping education and in formulating our final recommendations to government.

1. Improving Student Learning

Modern technologies are only beginning to be used in Alberta classrooms as a tool for student learning and teaching. The use of computer and telecommunications technologies is not systematic nor equitable throughout classrooms in our province. As a result there are significant differences in the time and quality of students' experiences using information technology skills. These inequities must be addressed for student learning to improve.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Student productivity and the ability to learn is improved through the use of information retrieval and processing skills.
• Students effectively use technology to improve their ability to create and communicate information and ideas.
• Students have equal opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through the use and application of computer and telecommunications technologies.

We recommend that

• Schools use technology as a tool in all areas of instruction rather than teaching"computers" as a separate subject.
• Students routinely create, analyze and critically interpret information and data in all subject areas using the tools and skills of information retrieval and processing (e.g., word processing,graphics, spreadsheet, database applications) to make a measurable difference in student achievement.
• Schools provide students with equal opportunity to use and develop computer technology skills regardless of where they go to school.

2. Improving Teacher Preparation and Support

Our teacher training programs at universities and colleges must prepare teachers to enter classrooms confident and competent in the use of information technology skills. Teachers need to be computer literate. They need to know how to use the Internet and how to share those skills with students. Our education system must respond by providing professional development opportunities and continued support to help teachers integrate technology into their teaching.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Teachers are well prepared, skilled and confident in using technology in their teaching, and where technology has changed how teachers teach.
• New methods and innovative approaches to delivery of instruction are part of teacher preparation and inservice programs.
• Teachers are trained and able to interact electronically with each other and with students.
• Teachers routinely integrate technology into their instruction and use technology to track and assess learning progress.
• Teachers develop, implement, and share innovative ways to integrate technology into their instructional programs and management functions.

We recommend that

• The faculties of education, school jurisdictions, the Alberta Teachers'Association and Alberta Education take shared responsibility for improving teacher knowledge and skills in the use of technology. In particular:
  • Work with teachers to develop a profile of technology-related knowledge and skills, and that these profiles be linked to expected student outcomes.
  • Adjust teacher preparation requirements to reflect the technology knowledge and skills needed by teachers now and in the future.
  • Involve teachers in developing and sharing innovative teaching methods and alternate delivery strategies.
  • Determine strategies for inservicing teachers, instructional support staff and school administrators in the integration and applications of technology.
  • Initiate or accelerate district initiatives to provide every classroom teacher with a computer, basic application software, and appropriate access to the Internet.
  • Provide teachers with adequate access and training (both preservice and inservice) to use the Internet and SchoolNet effectively.
  • Ensure that teachers are not taken away from primary teaching responsibilities in order to perform technology support roles.
  • Encourage greater use of private sector resources to provide turn-key solutions, training and technology support for teachers.

"The role of teachers must change to that of being a guide to resources instead of a conveyor of facts."

Byte, 1995

3. Improving Curriculum and Assessment

Global events and a changing marketplace are placing new demands on a

workforce to be skilled in the use of information technologies and

telecommunications. Students in Alberta need to be engaged in meaningful

learning experiences that will help them to develop technology skills and be

confident in their use of technology. Technology experiences must be embedded

in our curriculum.Our assessment systems at local and provincial levels must

also report student performance in using and applying technology.

"In the future, we must rely on the skills and ingenuity of our work force to add value to both traditional and new areas of economic activity."

Seizing Opportunities

We want Alberta to be a province where:

• Provincial curriculum reflects a systematic integration of technology in how and what students learn.
• Curriculum reflects a blend of knowledge, critical thinking and workplace skills.
• Student abilities in the use of technology are part of the assessment and achievement reporting processes.
• Curriculum requires use of technology tools and multimedia learning systems.
• Objectives of the provincial curriculum are achieved where appropriate through a use of technology,or a technology based experience.
• Higher level thinking skills are achieved as a result of presentations of content through technology.

We recommend that

• Alberta Education incorporate technology learning experiences into all areas of the Alberta Program of Studies.
• Curricula set by the province emphasize cross-disciplinary applications of technology skills in student learning outcomes, with emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking.
• Alberta Education develop ways to assess and report student performance in the use of technology tools and information retrieval and processing.
• Schools use multimedia computer learning systems to achieve curriculum and instruction goals and objectives.
• Alberta Education assist teachers to effectively incorporate technology into curriculum and instruction.
• Schools make use of learning management systems that increase the ability of students to manage and assess their own learning and progress.
• Alberta Education adjust curriculum objectives in appropriate content areas to reflect higher levels of thinking that can be achieved through technological presentation of concepts.

4. Improving Learning Resources

There are widespread differences in the range and quality of learning resources available in Alberta schools. While the use of computers with productivity and instructional software is increasing, the availability of quality courseware and interactive multimedia resources is extremely limited. This situation has a direct impact on our ability to provide students and teachers learning resources to meet the wide range of learning needs and our ability to support curriculum implementation effectively.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• The very best resources for learning and teaching are available equitably and at reasonable cost.
• Teaching and learning are improved as a result of extensive use of multimedia and computer-assisted learning resources.
• Partnerships are used to help fund and develop state-of-the-art multimedia courseware.
• "Best value" expenditures for learning resources are made through volume ___________ purchasing and licensing arrangements by the province.
• Learning management tools help teachers, schools, school boards and the Minister to monitor and assess progress of student learning.

We recommend that

• Alberta Education take responsibility for insuring that implementation of future curriculum revisions are supported by computer and other technology-mediated learning resources.
• The Government of Alberta, in partnership with other provinces, education publishers, new media producers, and courseware developers, accelerate the development of interactive multimedia learning resources and learning management systems.
• Schools deliver high demand mainstream courses through computer assisted instruction and tele-instruction to improve access and reduce costs of conventional delivery.
• The Government of Alberta evaluate and license instructional software for province-wide use, and use volume purchases to reduce costs to schools.
• Government funded programs for development of learning resources be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that educational value is provided.
• The Government of Alberta encourage and support initiatives aimed at exploring instructional applications of new and innovative technologies such as video-on-demand,and interactive video conferencing.
• The Government of Alberta assisting expanding the private sector courseware industry.
• Alberta Education acquire or develop learning resources that are more capable of presenting content and difficult concepts in highly graphic and interactive formats, and result in increased student understanding.

5. Improving Access

The education community in Alberta must be electronically networked to give our students the same advantages and learning opportunities that students have elsewhere. Our schools, post-secondary institutions, libraries,museums and other information and media resource centres must be electronically connected to each other, and to other places globally.Instruction, programs, and information must be available on demand from school, the home, the workplace, and other places of learning.Telecommunications services must be equitable and affordable throughout the province, and of sufficient capacity to deliver multimedia programs needed now and in the future. Government and the telecommunications industry must work together to make a provincial learning network a reality.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Learners have greater choice in where they learn-schools, homes, public or private institutions, work sites, community access centres.
• Albertans of all ages have access to learning opportunities by being linked to a province-wide telecommunications information system and to the Internet.
• A wide range of educational programs and services are electronically available.
• Technology is used to reduce costs of conventional delivery of education.

New technology is allowing students to reach beyond the school walls in a way they never could before."

Superintendent, Northern Lights services, School Division

We recommend that

• Schools should make electronically-accessed courses available to students, and Alberta Education should make those courses available to other places of learning throughout Alberta.
• The Government of Alberta, in partnership with the information technology community:
  • Provide all schools with access to the Internet within one year. - Determine overall network requirements for electronic delivery of education and training programs and services in terms of program needs, bandwidth requirements,and associated costs for a multi-level network.
  • Determine the best means to deliver multi-sector (health, social education)telecommunications and network services to Albertans.
  • Connect all schools, post-secondary institutions and other places of learning including libraries and other information-media delivery centres (e.g., ACCESS-LTA and regional mediacentres) to the provincial learning network access points.
  • Determine province-wide standards and protocols for telecommunications and network services.
  • Encourage cable, satellite,telephone and television service providers to work together with government, in the delivery of education content.

6. Improving The Technological Capabilities of Classrooms

Major inequities exist in the quality of computers and software available to students in classrooms across the province. Results from a survey taken in 1993 indicate that a large percentage of computers used in schools are outdated and inadequate to meet current and future multimedia and network requirements. While the current ratio of computers to students(approximately~ 1:10) is increasing, this ratio is still inadequate to provide students the time and experience they need on computers. In many cases, the capabilities of computers available at students' homes are better than those in schools.

As the need to use computers and other technologies in our programs increases, our schools will need newer machines and software to support student learning and program goals; Our classrooms need to be appropriately wired to accommodate the use of technology. School authorities have indicated that provincial direction and support are needed to address improved access to technology, facility upgrading, and an aging base of computer hardware.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Students and teachers have access to computers and other technologies needed to achieve learning and instructional goals.
• Albertans are confident that the education system is using modern technology efficiently to improve student learning.
• Use of emerging technologies in alternative delivery of instruction and programs is promoted and supported at local and provincial levels.
• There is equitable availability of computers and other technologies throughout the province.

We recommend that

• The status of technology currently used in schools be updated and regularly monitored to ensure that equity in access is maintained.
• Minimum standards be determined for educational technology needed in our schools to satisfy instructional curricular, and administrative needs.
• Targets for increasing the current computer-to-student ratio be set by the province once instructional program requirements are determined.
• Funding allocated by the province in support of technology integration enable schools to attain the minimum requirements of technology needed to achieve instructional goals.
• Schools make greater use of emerging technologies (e.g., video conferencing) to enhance alternative instruction and delivery opportunities for students.
• Sources of funding including Instruction Block funding, Lottery funds, Heritage Savings Trust Fund, and business partnerships, be used to maximize provincial and school board efforts to support technology integration.
• Accountability measures be introduced to ensure that investments in technology are resulting in improved learning, and that these results be reported regularly.

7. Improving Community and Business Partnerships

By working together, current resources can be better utilized and the costs of public education can be reduced. Partnerships with technology vendors and businesses can result in "best value" purchases for Alberta schools.Government needs to form new and better alliances with community groups,with business, the telecommunications and technology industries, and other provinces, to achieve Alberta's economic, technological and telecommunications objectives and capabilities.

"Lifelong learning is continued employability and personal growth."

New Directions

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Education,business, and communities partner to maximize efforts to improve technology integration and provide turn-key solutions in education.
• Schools are used by the community and by businesses to assist in their education and training needs.
• Economic and employment opportunities are created for development of knowledge-based industries.

We recommend that

The Government of Alberta expand and enhance business involvement and partnerships by

• Encouraging the education community to work closely with the business community in promoting the growth of a knowledge-based economy (e.g.,development of multimedia learning resources).
• Articulating policy and guidelines for establishing value-added key to with the business sector partnerships
• Encouraging partnerships to develop and market technology-based learning resources nationally and internationally.
• Working with business and the information technology industries to assist schools in improving their technology base and support/training needs, including turn-key technology solutions.
• Working with business to encourage technology related work experiences.
• Working with business to validate the relevance and quality of students skills in technology.

8. Improving Planning and Coordination

Strong leadership and coordinated planning at the provincial and school board levels is needed to ensure that the efforts and investments made in technology integration are efficient, productive and ultimately result in an improved education system. There is a great deal of fragmentation and duplication of effort that exists in the delivery of education programs and services within and between levels of education. Cost savings for all Albertans will result through better leadership, coordination and planning.This is a critical and opportune time for government to champion the use of technology at basic (K-12) and post-secondary levels of public education and to implement mechanisms and processes that result in better strategic planning and coordination.

We want Alberta to be a province where

• Provincial efforts to improve technology and telecommunications in public education are well coordinated and included in an overall strategic plan for delivery of programs at both levels of education.
• Duplication of effort in the development and delivery of instructional programs is reduced within and between basic (K-i 2) and post-secondary levels of education.
• Appropriate mechanisms and processes are in place to help school boards

Goal 5: A Key Strategy implement effective and productive technology programs for Improving Education

"Achieve increased efficiencies and effectiveness in the education system through plans restructuring the governance and delivery of education."

Meeting the Challenge II

We recommend that

• Technology telecommunications tt. be incorporated into the business plans of Alberta Education and school boards, and that these be linked to an overall provincial strategy.
  • The Government of Alberta create an advisory body or mechanism to coordinate collaborative technology and telecommunications planning within the education sector. This mechanism would provide the Ministries and schools boards with advice on:
  • Delivery and transferability of programs and support (including distance learning)between secondary and post-secondary education
  • Program innovation, research and development
  • Province-wide telecommunications I information infrastructures
  • Information exchange and communication
  • Telecommunications standards and protocols
  • Courseware and hardware standards

What we Want to Accomplish | Challenges | Planning For Technology Integration