Barriers for Using Technology in Your Lesson
Cost
The cost of utilizing technology goes far beyond the cost of the equipment and software. Maintenance, upgrades and support play a large role. (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 129) Further, budgetary constraints have made it difficult for many teachers to even get the essential supplies necessary to run a classroom. For these reasons, it would seem that the idea of integrating technology in many classrooms is impossible from the start.
In recent years, companies are developing Web-based tools that provide online support and maintenance at what should be a fraction of the cost of typical software. In theory, the development of such online software should drive down cost and make integration simpler. Keep your eye out for developments on this front. This could be the cost effective equalizer that we've all been waiting for.
Professional Development
While many teachers recognize the benefit in integration of technology in the classroom, many are ill equipped to make it work. Tenured teachers often don't have the skills or training necessary to implement this into their lesson plans. While many would love to learn more about technology, that would require an investment in time and money both of which are at a premium for teachers and school districts alike. Therefore, the vision for a more sophisticated learning experience is getting lost in the day to day shuffle.
While the cost and time associated with formalized education can be an obstacle for many teachers, informal training and self help videos are available online. Many are free of charge. Further, teachers have the ability to form collaborative groups that can provide help for each other. In doing so, the labor can be divided into smaller and more workable portions to make development both faster and more convenient.
Time
While the idea of technology integration is great in theory, anyone that has constructed a technology rich lesson can tell you that it is extremely time consuming. So much intense thought and prior planning is necessary to make this type of lesson effective and beneficial. With all of the responsibilities of being a full time teacher, a parent and a signficant other, it is difficult to imagine being able to integrate technology on a daily basis.
Much like professional development, the challenge is to get a lot done in a little time. Here, again the idea of collaboration and cooperation can make life a lot easier. Getting together with colleagues from with your own school is a good first step. Beyond that, joining a blog with fellow teachers who are interested in sharing the workload is another great strategy. Working together and developing strategies for integration, you can soon reap the rewards of providing your students with the most intensive and effective lessons available.