Journal #7

I really enjoyed reading the article “Do your Teachers need a Personal Trainer?” by Aileen M. Owens because it pertains to future educator like me. This article talks about how are teachers supposed to keep up with technological devices and programs if there is no funding for training or resources. This article focused on answering this question: “How can one instructional technology coordinator provide ongoing sustainable staff development for hundreds of teachers without a budget and without staff?”
The initial problem according to the instructional technology coordinator is that there are too many demands for one person. The tech coordinator would meet with the teachers for 45 min. on a weekly basis four to six times depending on project the project. The flaw in this system was the labor was too intense, and one tech can not meet all the demands. The solution that was proposed was a student internship program to instructional technology. The program would identify students whose skills would match areas where teachers needed support. The rewards were great, and the technological advances in the classes were immediately seen. For example, an intern helped 5th graders made podcasts for veteran’s day, and he created skills center link for kindergarten students. Every one wins with this program. Teachers and students learn more technological practices, and interns get the experience and are able to add this experience in their portfolios.

Is CSUSM incorporated this system would students be interested in participating?
I would be interested in participating, I believe that this would be a great opportunity to get more experience and not only learn the programs in school but actually put them into practice.
As a future teacher would I like a student teacher to keep me updated on the technological practices?
I would really like this. Since funding is such an issue, and there are probably no tech coordinators in many districts, I would like for future teachers who are learning the new practices to teach me and my students.