Journal 8: Technology Incentives

ISTE. Richard, Virginia. “Technology Incentives.” Learning & Leading with Technology. September/October 2007.

Many teachers admit that their primary hindrance in implementing technology into the classroom is the lack of time to train. It is important to motivate teachers to attend professional development training. To motivate teachers, districts should make sure peer coaching and mentoring are in place to receive support and follow-up technical assistance, districts should sell teachers on the “dream” of using technology in the classrooms, districts should set up a marketing campaign for teachers, and provide access for teachers and students to use their training. The administrator must envision, develop, and implement a technology plan that clearly delineates the goals and action steps required to provide technology professional development. Also, everyone must schedule time to collaborate, and incentives should be the bait to hook all the teachers! Polk County is an excellent district to model after.

1. What are good incentives?

Once teachers attend training, the best incentive is to provide the technology and software immediately for their classroom! This way, teachers can utilize what they learn. Having students additionally train in a certain technology or technological product can provide support and confidence for the teacher to instill this advancement into their curriculum. Additionally, students can also coach each other and teachers can become more active facilitators. Another incentive is enabling student engagement, which is a highlight for every teacher. Marketing can also be motivational. Districts can put into place Star Groups, which model technology teachers, administrations, instructional television specialists, media specialists, and network managers. Having coaches to answer questions is also a plus.

2. How can you motivate teachers?

Structuring professional development according to skill level for the teachers can eliminate intimidation and allows the training to meet all teachers’ needs. Give good incentives. Provide different incentives to draw different teachers. Promote teacher and student interaction. Allow the incentives to provide access. Provide administrative support and district support.