Transcript Technology Integration Project.

Technology Integration Project.
Jeff Wallace
MED 8461
Dr. Huett
Who I Interviewed.
I have a friend named Anthony Corolito
that lives in Panama City Beach Florida who is
owner and CEO of ParrotHeadPC. When asked
to describe his role in Technology Integration
he said. “As CEO of ParrotHeadPC, I have over
a decade of experience working with both
corporate clients and educational institutions,
helping develop both hardware and software
solutions to the ever-growing technological
needs of today’s computer-oriented society.”
Format
Using the
questions supplied
I conducted an
email interview
and will list the
responses to the
questions in the
order they were
asked.
Question
Q1: How is technology affecting the learning
process?
A: “As technology continues to become not only
more acceptable but perhaps more
importantly more affordable, it is rapidly
taking on an ever-growing role as a vital
component in today’s education curricula.”
Question
Integration
Q2: What is your definition of
technological literacy?
A: “Technological literacy is the
ability of one to understand
technology’s role in today’s
society – both its function
and its importance, as well as
the recognition of its
integration into varying
aspects of everyday life. This
understanding is not
necessarily an indication of a
prescribed skill set, but
rather the “common sense”
approach to its importance.”
Question
Q3: When you hear the phrase “technology
integration” what does that mean to you?
A: “Integration implies how todays’ technology
is applied on a variety of levels into varying
components of everyday life, from
manufacturing to education, and countless
endeavors in-between.”
Question
Technology
Q4: How should technology be
used in education?
A: “First and foremost,
technology in the classroom
should be embraced, not
feared. Once that is
accomplished, its benefits
are nearly endless, and will
only assist in opening minds
to a world of wonder where
the human imagination is the
driving force behind new
discoveries, innovations, and
concepts.”
Question
Q5: How do you identify the “key players” in the
technology integration process and get them all to
“buy into” what are you are trying to accomplish?
A: “The key players in a particular situation can and do
vary from project to project, but generally within this
frame it has been my experience that demonstration in
conjunction with well-spoken examples of how a
particular strategy will benefit their individual needs
has proven to be the most effective method.”
Question
Q6: What principles should guide your approach for
integrating technology into instruction?
A: Realistic expectations are critical in this endeavor, since
the fear of technology must be addressed as well. And,
in addressing those fears, the Orwellian argument will
more often than not need to be dispelled. Having
done so (through the “we control the computers, not
vice-versa” statement), one must be mindful that
technology, though an incredibly useful tool, is not and
cannot be construed as a cure for laziness,
incompetence, or stupidity.
Question
Q7: When can you expect technology to be
effective?
A: Immediately. Without question. Allocation of
funding should be the only remaining barrier
in any situation, and we as a society must
make this a priority.
Question
Q8: What are some obstacles you have
encountered when trying to integrate
technology?
A: As mentioned above, the fear of technology
overtaking the human element of any endeavor is
ever present; whether it be fear of promoting
laziness or a fear of personal rights violations, or
worse. Through mindful discourse, I have found
that these fears are more often than not quelled.
Question
Q9: Do you have a technology integration success
story?
A: We have recently assisted a local parochial
school in expanding their technological resources
from a limited handful of select educators, to a
building-wide environment which is accessible by
every student and teacher in the facility. This was
done with careful planning, and the assurance
that the benefits to every student would be well
worth the investment.
Question
Q10: What makes the difference between successful
technology integration and a failed attempt?
A: A successful integration is one which allows the
function of the institution to not only continue
uninterrupted, but moreover to do so in a more
efficient manner, with efficiency being defined not only
in monetary terms, but perhaps more importantly in
the long-term results that the technology will afford all
involved. A failed attempt is one in which those goals
are not meant, and the planned integration becomes
an impedance rather than a benefit.
Question
Q11: What should you do if you are not convinced you can
integrate technology successfully into your instruction?
A: Seeking outside opinions and/or assistance is often vital in
technological integration, since each endeavor presents a
new set of challenges which must be met in order for the
integration to be seamless. If, after further consultation,
there remain obstacles that prohibit the smooth
implementation of any aspect of a plan, then full disclosure
to the client is imperative, and discussions about
proceeding with any or all of the project must be had, with
the pros and cons of the entire project and its problematic
areas laid out on the table. Only after such discourse, can a
reasonable decision be reached.
Conclusion
Even though Anthony was
over my head with his
expertise, I learned a lot from
this interview. For one I had
never heard of the Orwellian
Argument which basically
says things should be kept
simple and clear. Overall my
take on my interview was
that regardless if it is the
business or educational
sector, before someone is
going to hand you money
you better be able to tell
them how they will benefit.