Technology Challenges and Solutions

"I don't know what I would do without my iPhone!"

"Without Google Calendar, I would never be able to keep up with my kids' schedules."

"I have no idea how to use Google Docs."

"Why do we have to use this new data reporting system?  The old one worked just fine!"

Technology provokes strong responses.  We love some things, dislike others, want more, wish there was less, and so on.  Even those who love to use technology can experience moments of frustration as they attempt to adapt to new gadgets and software. Even so, changes and advances in technology rapidly flood the market at an ever increasing pace.

Technology, in many cases, can greatly improve productivity and enhance learning in the field of education.  Those working in education, however, experience a multitude of challenges when utilizing technology.  These challenges range from simple to very complex, but I would like to take some time to focus on four: professional development, resistance to change, lack of adequate infrastructure and support, and funding.With each of these challenges come possible solutions as well; however, some answers are a bit easier to achieve than others.

Challenge #1: Professional Development

One of the most common difficulties faced by faculty and staff in education is the lack of professional development to teach the use of new software or even hardware. In my own experience as an instructor, there were times were told to begin using new methods of record keeping involving technology with little to guidance as to how to do so. The most common reason given for little to no professional development? No funding... A problem we will discuss in more detail later.

There is a very simple solution for professional development that is inexpensive or even free.  When organizations like the NC Community College System cannot afford to pay part time instructors to attend a mandatory professional development, it should then fall to the full time staff to develop tools to present the new technology to these instructors.  For example, with widespread implementation of web attendance for attendance tracking, a staff member can easily create a screen capture video using free software (such as Google Chrome extensions) to give step by step directions.  This video can then be sent by email to instructors who can now learn how to use the web attendance platform in a matter of minutes by watching.

Challenge #2: Resistance to Change

Once teachers, instructors, and staff find a method that is effective, and have become accustomed to that method, they rarely like to change.  I myself can attest to this.  If it works, don't fix it, right?!  It can be difficult to be open to new technology when you are adamant that the old is just fine.

This attitude can be detrimental in the long run.  As educators, we made the commitment not only to teach others, but to be life-long learners ourselves.  One solution to this, is to keep an open mind.  Education and technology are always changing.  Being open minded and willing to embrace and learn new things encourages our students to do the same.  And for that one that will still grumble and complain?  Typically, I have found, this comes from having difficulty understanding how the new system works.  I have found that offering to help improves those grumpy moods a about technology just a smidgen.

Challenge #3: Lack of Adequate Infrastructure and Support

Another concern for consideration is the lack of infrastructure and support for implementing
technology change and/or maintaining current systems. Some of the most common issues I have encountered include internet bandwidth problems and lack of support from IT departments.  The lack of support from IT departments have been for various reasons including under staffing and simply being in a department that is "low on the totem pole," so to speak.  

Bandwidth problems are not always easily fixed, especially if there are funding issues.  Under staffing of IT departments also tend to come from funding issues.  The key here, I believe, is to establish a strong relationship with those in the IT department.  Constant communication is vital, not just when there are problems to fix.  If new technology or soft ware is being considered, invite someone from IT in on the conversation - s/he is likely able to pint out issues that you or others may not see or be aware of.  Having them in on the conversation from the beginning can save a lot of hassle and struggles later on.

Challenge #4: Funding

The largest challenge, I believe for schools of all sorts, is funding.  The bottom line is... the bottom line.  This is perhaps the most difficult issue to solve, as a majority of educational programs rely on
federal and state funding to operate.  Not to say that private organizations do not have funding issues, they do as well.  When trying to find the extra money to purchase technology - the hardware or the software - other things may have first priority (like salaries and such).

One solution that I discovered in my interview with Claire Ricci was grant writing.  Applying for grants is a great way to bolster funding for programs.  There are organizations that are more than happy to give away funds, but the school/program has to work for it a bit.  

Another option is to locate less expensive or even free software that accomplishes the same task as the more expensive version.  This may not always be an option, but in many cases it is.  For example, for Adult High School, in College and Career Readiness programs across the state, there are multiple software versions that can be utilized for students to complete high school credits.  The key component is to look for those based on Common Core as required by the state.  Compare prices and seating options to find what best fits the programs budget and student enrollment.  The most expensive may look nice, but the less expensive is often just as effective.

Conclusion

There are many challenges that school systems and colleges face with technology.  IT can be expensive, difficult to implement in a timely manner, and hard to train faculty and staff to use it.  However, there are solutions to these problems.  As educators, we often need to think outside the box and help create solutions to these problems.  Working as a team and researching various options are a great way to start.

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