I interviewed a Special Education English teacher at Beacon High School. The challenges that she faces as she and her co teacher try to incorporate technology into their lessons mainly resolve around the lack of resources available. The school only has one computer lab and scheduling time for the classes to use the room is difficult. Laptop carts are available but more often that not half of the computers are not working. Another problem is that some students never completed and turned in there permission technology form which means that they do not have the ability to log on to a computer. For those students that do have the permission to use the equipment, many students forget their passwords which delays the instructional time.
When all these kinks are worked out, the sensitive filter on the computer often dose not allow for the needed resources to access the needed websites. When students are able to access the appropriate website, it also becomes a challenge to make sure all the students are remaining focused on the activity and not trying to play games are look up other information not regarding the assignment.
One tool that the ELA teacher really enjoys using in her English classroom is Video Streaming on Demand or YouTube to show movies and listen to poetry. The English department is looking forward to being trained in the Kurzweil 3000 Educational System to help bring technology into the ELA curriculum and individualize learning for each student.
Jessica, I think the majority of teachers feel this frustration when it comes to using the computers their school's provide. As a math teacher, I've tried to bring the laptops into my classroom for activities but it is too much of a hassle and takes too long to resolve issue during the 40 minute period.
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