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Question of the Week Archive

December 31, 2007 - January 7, 2008

Barriers to Change

Several TechLEARNING bloggers recently have focused on technology's role in transforming the classroom environment to support 21stcentury learning. But the pace of change has been slow. What do you believe is the major barrier to transforming the way we approach teaching and learning? What do you believe is the major barrier to transforming the way we approach teaching and learning?
a) Student indifference
1.1%
b) Teachers' lack of interest in moving outside their comfort zone
39.1%
c) Accountability pressures
31.0%
d) Lack of support/leadership at the building level
6.9%
e) Lack of support/leadership at the district level
21.8%

Comments

Derek Luebbe dluebbe@simceo.org - 05/01/2008 09:50 222.68.248.33
I agree with Ralph's comments regarding "good teaching" not changing. Unfortunately, the way in which we measure schools / teaching has. Accountability (narrowly assessed) prevents innovation and makes the prospect of attempting integration daunting as we realize attempting to 'transform teaching and learning' can get shot down at any vertical point throughout the system simply out of fear of the unexpected, or anticipated positive outcomes that may or may not translate into test scores. How much incentive are we really giving teachers and schools to be transformational in their approach?

Ralph E. Avard smartteaching@hotmail.com - 04/01/2008 10:46 ts001d0853.wdc-dc.xod.concentric.net
I have just read some of the other comments, and, after over thirty years of teaching experience, I can say that "good teaching" has not changed over that time, just the methods used to implement that teaching. Confidence in using various technological updates of methods of research or discussion of ideas leads to learning. Support of teachers who try to be student-centered rather than teacher-centered is not always there from administrators who have not been in the classroom successfully. Many new programs which "develop principals" do not understand that one who leads cannot do so without having been in those situations which one has to support.

Ralph E. Avard smartteaching@hotmail.com - 04/01/2008 10:40 ts001d0853.wdc-dc.xod.concentric.net
Many veteran teachers are unwilling to change what they have been doing, and many new teachers do not have the ability to direct a class that allows change in the classroom. Organization and clarity of focus provide the main base which allows a teacher to lead students to learning situations. Class size enters into the latter, but many who are in teaching should not be there, because wanting to teach and being able to teach young people are two different things.

J. Edwards edwardj@lmsd.org - 03/01/2008 15:33 208.70.120.2
The "sage" mentality is the leading roadblock to classroom of the 21st Century. But second would be the fear of giving up high stakes testing as the prime assessment tool.

Louise Maine lmaine@punxsy.k12.pa.us - 03/01/2008 12:16 1.237.133.63-wireless.static.stingcomm.net
Why not say we are good at what we are doing? Not an authority with all the answers but one that has learned, is still learning (and knows how to look it all up), and can do something powerful with it all. My kids learn from their mistakes. I'm not afraid to do the same. Why stifle true learning?

J. Robertson janice.robertson@peelsb.com - 03/01/2008 11:22 CPE00112f3b7e9f-CM0014045a7432.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com
The major barrier seems to be fear; fear of students who know more than teachers, fear of parents who want to insist their child is safe at all time, fear of technology glitches and viruses that cripple the system, fear of criticism if the something new that the board tries doesn't work...

Cheryl Oakes coakes@maine.rr.com - 02/01/2008 20:04 cpe-74-75-13-68.maine.res.rr.com
While I support professional development during the school day, it doesn't happen to the extent needed. Plus we know when anyone uses technology tools in their personal life it extends to the classroom. Find a new tool and try it!