ISDN and the value of instructional technology coaches

Published by in distributed-learning on May 7th, 2007

The formal definition of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) on WikiPedia is:

…a circuit-switched telephone network system, designed to allow digital transmission of voice and data over ordinary telephone copper wires, resulting in better quality and higher speeds than that available with the PSTN system.

In the real world of educational classrooms, however, some observers have wryly noted that the more appropriate definition of ISDN is:

It Still Does Nothing.

Most educational videoconferencing systems have either made or are in the process of making the transition to H.323, which is IP-based videoconferencing. In order to be utilized regularly, however, any videoconferencing system needs to be well supported by knowledgeable and genuinely helpful personnel. Therein lies the rub for many school districts, who currently fail to provide adequate HUMAN instructional technology support– for videoconferencing as well as other applications.

We should not underestimate the value of providing certified teachers as mentors / coaches / facilitators to help other teachers learn to effectively integrate technology in their classrooms with students. This model of hand-holding and just-in-time support is the only viable model I have encountered for helping K-12 teachers broadly adopt and integrate instructional technologies within their daily lessons with students.

How would you define the REAL effect educational technologies are having on student learning within your own context? Hopefully the answer is not “It Still Does Nothing.”

I am enthused by the current trend for videoconferencing to move from “room-based models” to the desktop. Even though these technologies are less expensive and more accessible, I still maintain the “human element” of instructional technology support is essential. The 14 minute video I helped put together several years ago for the Texas Technology Leadership Academy entitled, “Technology Integration Done Right: Lewisville ISD” also makes this point about school districts needing CERTIFIED instructional technology facilitators to help other teachers use technologies effectively, appropriately, and regularly to support learning.

It is great for technologies to become more powerful and easier to use, but the challenges of helping teachers who have learned “other ways” of teaching and providing instructional experiences for students to integrate new methods continues to be one of the greatest (and even “wicked”) challenges facing us in education today.

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