Teaching Technology Teachers

With today's students preparing themselves for a place in a global marketplace that is simultaneously cohesive and competitive, the benefits of incorporating technology into the UK's education system cannot be underestimated. As national and international economies evolve and develop, not only will technology play a key role in helping businesses weather storms but it will also be instrumental in assimilating UK businesses with overseas business partners and their operations.

Who is teaching teachers?

Programmes such as Building Schools for the Future (BSF) have made excellent progress on this front, with many educational institutions across the UK currently implementing a number of plans for modernising facilities and methods of delivering the curriculum. From improved internet access to interactive whiteboards, online teaching resources to Web 2.0 technologies, as well as a host of administrative uses, ICT is being included wherever possible, across almost all aspects of school life.

However, the key to successfully integrating technology into the school system goes beyond just hardware and software. For example recent research from the British Education Suppliers Association (BESA) showed that the percentage of primary and secondary school teachers who were considered to be confident and competent using ICT in the curriculum has dropped since 2007. Since teachers can be considered the gatekeepers to students' learning experiences, these figures perhaps beg the question – who is teaching teachers?

Teachers engage with technology every day.

Whether through administrative applications or student-facing resources, teachers engage with technology every day. Where knowledge of individual subject matter was once enough, many teachers now find themselves having to learn a wholly revised skill set if they are to keep current with industry trends, or indeed hold the attention of their students. And while some products such as FileMaker Pro are relatively easy to implement and use right out of the box, other solutions may require more explanation or even have specialised training requirements. However, worryingly, research has shown that the percentage of teachers who expect to receive ICT training has dropped since 2007.

When we consider the skills shortages currently being experienced across the teaching industry, it would seem that the last thing UK schools need is for technology to act as a barrier to entry and discourage potential candidates from choosing or continuing in a teaching career.

So it's clear that a change is in order. If teachers are to effectively engage with students and make the best use of the investments being made in ICT, it's vital that they are given the resources to help them understand and operate the technology they are expected to employ. As we start a new year, now is a great time for all stakeholders in the education system – be they government agencies, administrators, technology vendors or teachers themselves – to make that goal one of their resolutions for 2009.