Barriers

Lack of time- to prepare and present lessons, to train and learn new methods
Lack of teacher training/support for inservice or preservice teachers
Make through, ready-made lesson plans and ideas that incorporate technology available on-line.

Lack of familiarity/comfort with technology

On same Internet resource page, have available step-by-step directions.

Lack of financial resources to provide up-to-date hardware/software, and on-going training and support for technology use

Have a web-page available with possible technology funding opportunities: ie. Grants, contests, funding-raising ideas that others have used successfully to acquire technology.

Time lag between "new" innovations and their inclusion in education

Much of this is due to lack of knowledge/confidence in using the new innovations.

Delays due to Bureaucracy- by the time an idea is arrived at, approved, funded, and completed- it's out of date

Even though it's out-of-date, any improvements are better than none (the glass is half-full, not half-empty Lack of awareness: of the importance/benefits of technology, of what is available, of how to make technology useful/meaningful for students

Fear- that we might not know enough to use effectively, that we, as teachers, might appear "stupid"

Lack of support/motivation for trying new methods of instruction

Lack of confidence in necessary skills

Learning Generation could offer In-service options, on campus conferences, classes on classroom technology for both Pre-service and inservice teachers as well as their administrators to address the problems listed above.

Misconceptions of parents and community as to the "Value" of technology

Provide demonstrations during open-house to parents and the community of the valuable uses of technology in the classrooms, they too must be "educated" to its possibilities.

Living in the past- still see educational needs as those of the "industrial age"-even though many of those skills are not needed or valued in today's job market

So many education classes in the School of Education miss an opportunity, where they could very appropriately include additional emphasis on changes in society and why Technology is critical to today's student. As well as an opportunity to demonstrate those valuable and appropriate uses.

Textbooks often set the curriculum

Begin by showing the possibilities for enrichment to "accompany" texts to teachers. They can gradually be weaned from such heavy reliance on texts.

Making changes in teaching methods difficult

Perception that it may lessen teacher control

Lack of Awareness of Technology Standards

Where are these standards found? Put the link on the Learn Gen home page/ resource page. You can't follow what you don't know!

Incompatibility of equipment, no cross-platforms among teachers/districts

Provide at least on PC, and one Mac in a central location (teacher's lounge?) that cross-platform work can be done on. Have specific web pages for teachers exchange- in this way format wouldn't matter.

Possibility of computer breakdowns/bugs of equipment

Anything can break down, but today's technology is much more reliable. Teachers should always have a back-up plan, no matter what the teaching media/procedure is.

Fear of being "out of the norm" being the only one who is implementing technology in the classroom

Progress has to begin with someone, why not you?

Difficulty in maintaining adequate supervision/safety of media (Internet)

There are many safety programs available to help block unsuitable sites, and they are improving every day. Make people aware of these. Any media/learning materials can have inappropriate material included, think magazines, television, etc. The best defense is teacher awareness, clear rules and consequences.

Lack of modeling of well-implemented technology during preservice education classes by professors

Lack of involvement/motivation in technology among preservice teachers

Most Education preservice curriculum doesn't require technology use

Education professors should be supported and encouraged to include at least two days each semester for giving a technology overview. Professors should be given training/support in the use of such technology as needed.

Lack of multi-language software to serve culturally diverse student population

Learn Gen could investigate such possibilities (I'm sure they exist, as I don't think that everyone in Spain, France, Germany, etc. is doing without computer software- lest we be too ethnocentric) and make the information available on web page/links.