IT/IT
At the ISTE Institute last week, there was a break out session where we got into groups based on our role within the school - administrator, technology specalist, teacher. I was in the technology specialist group, and most of our discussion centered around the differences between Information Technology and Instructional Technology, and some of the conflicts that arise between the two.
What is the role of Information Technology, and what is the role of Instructional Technology? These are two key questions. When technology was first brought into our schools not too long ago, the focus was on the technology. As a result, the Information Technology department was created. Typically, they were responsible for everything: installation, repair, replacement, and training. It was also typical for these departments to be managed by people with an Information Technology background. Rarely did they have an understanding of the intricacies of our schools. For some time, this was suitable because the emphasis was on the stuff.
After years of focusing on the hardware/software and developing technology plans that summarized computer counts and connections, the pendulum is swinging toward the importance of Instructional Technology. Some districts are actually creating Instructional Technology programs in addition to Information Technology. Technology in and of itself is meaningless, unless it can be used in ways that improve student learning. And now with Instructional Technology gaining more of a voice in developing the vision for learning and technology, you will begin to see a change. We are moving away from technology first toward curriculum first.
What is the role of Instructional Technology? To work with teachers to focus on curriculum and instruction and develop ideas of how technology can support a progressive vision for curriculum and instruction.
What is the role of Information Technology? To remove technical barriers so that teachers and other educational professionals can focus on curriculum instead of technical issues, and to do so while insuring the safety and security of those that use these technology systems. Information Technology is a service to the rest of the institution.
Both areas have become so specialized that it is no longer effective for our educational institutions to have one person doing both. When this is the case, one is most certainly compromised. And neither should be. Actually, one IT cannot survive without the other IT.
In going back to the discussion in our little technology specialists group, all the issues that came up could really be traced back to a lack of communication. And also a lack of understanding of each ones’ role within the educational environment. Not only do both ITs need to understand their role in the system, but they must learn to rely on the other IT for support if either is to ever be effective.
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