In the field of education, technology plays an increasingly pivotal role. It promises to make education more accessible, engaging, and efficient. However, like any innovation, it has its challenges. Integrating technology in the classroom is something that the field of education deals with today. Gilbert Kalonde discusses the increase of technology in the classroom (2017), “In schools today, there is a massive push to integrate technology throughout the educational process, however, there’s very little consistent documented evidence of its success” (p.27). Educational Technology, or EdTech, is transforming how we teach and learn. It is essential to understand that if we want to create change, educators, students, and stakeholders must work together to create equal educational opportunities for all.
Barriers in Technology Integration
Students
Even though technology is prominent in classrooms, some barriers prevent children from accessing technology. According to Harrel and Bynum (2017), “Students today are considered digital natives and are immersed daily in the world of interactive technology such as mobile phones, iPods, television on demand, and other limitless resources that provide the answer to any question with just a few clicks of a keyboard or taps on a screen” (p.13). One of the barriers that makes integrating technology hard in the classroom is access to technology. Not all students have equal access to devices and the internet, creating a digital divide. Digital literacy is another obstacle that students may face when integrating technology. Some students may need help navigating technology, impacting their ability to use EdTech tools effectively. Distraction is another barrier students may face. The same technology facilitating learning can also lead to distractions, hindering academic progress.
Educators
One of the most common challenges educators face when integrating technology is the need for more training. Dotong et al. state (2016), “Teacher preparation is insufficient. The workforce must be well-equipped with the skills necessary to provide effective transfer of knowledge from the teachers and learners” (p.16). Many teachers need proper training to integrate technology into their teaching methods effectively. This lack of proper training can make it difficult for them to teach students how to use technology correctly. Another factor that may impede the effective integration of technology in the classroom is teachers resisting the change of their traditional way of teaching. Some educators may hesitate to adopt EdTech as they fear it might replace traditional teaching methods. According to Dotong et al. (2016), “It is hard to believe that since the beginning of educational technology until its proliferation in the contemporary classroom environments, there are still some teachers who resist and refuse to accept the role of technology in the development of learners’ ability” (p.13). Last, time constraints are another reason educators may need help integrating technology. As Jamil et al. (2016) explain, " Teachers apart from finishing allocated work-load also help out in arranging and organizing both curricular and co-curricular activities and others also perform different administrative responsibilities” (p. 1075). Integrating technology can be time-consuming. Educators need to develop new skills and adapt to existing curriculum.
Barriers for Parents
While technology has opened up many new opportunities in education, integrating technology effectively into learning often presents challenges, especially for parents.
Parents play a vital role in technology integration for their children. Some of the barriers they face are:
· Parents often worry about the excessive use of technology and screen time.
· It can be challenging for parents to monitor and control what their children are exposed to on digital platforms.
· Some parents may need to be more technologically savvy, making it difficult to support their children's use of EdTech.
Addressing Barriers in EdTech
The article written by Mary Dean, “What are some barriers to technology integration in education?” (2020), lists different barriers and approaches students, educators, digital leaders, and stakeholders can follow to integrate technology successfully in the classroom:
· Advocate for equal access to technology and the internet.
Support initiatives that provide devices and internet connectivity to underserved communities.
· Integrate digital literacy programs into the curriculum.
Offer online resources and tutorials for students and teachers to enhance their tech skills.
· Invest in training programs for educators to equip them with the skills needed to use EdTech effectively.
Create a culture of innovation and openness to change in educational institutions.
· Implement robust data protection measures and transparency in data collection and usage.
· Encourage responsible use of technology with guidelines for screen time and breaks.
· Educate parents on the benefits and risks of EdTech.
· Create communication channels between parents and educators to address concerns.
Addressing these barriers leaves room for integrating technology into the classrooms and creating effective learning opportunities for all students.
Advice for EdTech Leaders
In the rapidly evolving world of educational technology, innovation and progress are often accompanied by complex challenges and barriers. EdTech leaders find themselves at the forefront of addressing these barriers. As the demand for effective, technology-enhanced learning experiences continues to grow, so does the responsibility of EdTech leaders to guide and navigate the industry toward more inclusive, accessible, and equitable solutions.
To effectively address barriers in educational technology leaders in this field should:
· Prioritize accessibility and equity in technology access.
· Foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
· Emphasize data privacy and security.
· Encourage partnerships and collaborations to overcome resource constraints.
Conclusion
Although educational technology has enormous potential to enhance education, it comes with challenges. Addressing these barriers requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, students, educators, parents, and EdTech leaders. Change can be achieved by working together and prioritizing accessibility, training, and privacy. Harrel and Bynum state (2017), “Technology is an essential life skill in the workforce. Students who are technologically savvy often have a better chance of getting a job and excelling in their careers" (p.13). The ultimate goal is to prepare students with the necessary skills to succeed in the classroom and prepare them for the digital age.
Additional resources
References
Dean, M. (2022, May 11). What are some barriers to technology integration in education? - classcraft blog. Resource hub for schools and districts. https://www.classcraft.com/blog/barriers-to-technology-integration-in-education/
Dotong, C. I., De Castro, E. L., Dolot, J. A., & Prenda, M. (2016). Barriers for educational technology integration in contemporary classroom environment. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences, 3(2), 13-20.
Harrell, S., & Bynum, Y. (2018). Factors affecting technology integration in the Classroom. Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership, 5, 12-18.
Jamil, M., Jamil, S., & Bano, S. (2016). Extrinsic and intrinsic barriers of integrating ICTs tools in teaching at undergraduate and elementary level: A comparative study. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 36(2), 1073-1087.
Kalonde, G. (2017). Technology Use in Rural Schools: A Study of a Rural High School Trying to Use iPads in the Classroom. Rural Educator, 38(3), 27–38.
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