Instructional Technology

Today there is much pressure on teachers and schools to incorporate technology more directly in the classroom, particularly in light of "21st century workforce" demands. In addition, schools handle a wider range of student abilities and differences today than ever before. While instructional technology tools promise to help enhance what teachers can do, many teachers are not well prepared to use them. Traditional in-service training tends to focus on smaller-scale issues, like how to operate a particular piece of equipment or use a specific piece of software. Often such in-service programs focus more on what is termed productivity software (like word processors and spreadsheets) than on instructional software or instructional uses of the World Wide Web. Seldom do teachers, or "technology support" staff, or administrators get a broader view of technology's potential role in the schools.