Article Review- Defining Technology Integration

Defining Technology Integration
Doug Johnson’s article “Owning Our Curriculum”(2004) approaches the continuous process of integrating technology in today’s schools in a practical and realistic manner. Beginning with an anecdote about previous attempts at implementing new technologies that end up being cast aside after a year or two, he emphasizes the five steps schools should adhere to in trying to successfully utilize technology in the classroom.

According to Johnson, one of the primary problems integrating technology into schools is that there are not clearly established goals or standards. Educators and administrators want students to be proficient with technology, but with emphasis on high stakes testing, technology instruction tends to be pushed assigned. He emphasizes that each school should establish its own goals and utilize the media specialists for instruction.

Establishing curriculum maps and schedules is another area where Johnson claims schools fail in implementing technology. Lack of planning often ends with new technologies being introduced, but not supported. Schools must plan when, how and by whom the technology will be taught and utilized in schools.

He also emphasizes that if today’s schools want students to be proficient in technology, it is essential that the students utilize it frequently.

The final area of weakness Johnson finds in implementing technology in today’s classrooms is the lack of collaboration and assessment tools. Once schools establish what essential technological skills the students need to function and learn, they must utilize all of their resources. Johnson points out that library media specialists are underutilized resources. He points out that media specialists could provide consistent training opportunities to both teachers and students alike. They also could be utilized to develop assessments of the students’ skill levels and establish programs for instruction and remediation. His primary emphasis is that teachers and media specialists need to collaborate on how to best implement different technology in today’s schools.

The primary theme in Johnson’s article is that implementing technology into today’s schools is not problematic because of the technology, but because of the schools’ lack of preparation, instruction and collaboration. Essentially, schools need to cease treating technological skills as something to be learned during down time and in ASP, and instead develop technology standards for all students, not just those taking computer classes.

Johnson, D. (2004, October). Owning Our Curriculum. Library Media Connection, 23(2), 98-96. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.