The Burden of Technology in Modern Schools
Struggling with Digital Transition: Teachers' Concerns and Challenges in Modern Education - The Impacts of Digitalisation on Educators: An Examination of Stress Levels
Teaching in today's digital age is a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities. With the rise of digitalization in classrooms, teachers are navigating a complex landscape of tech-related issues that often fall on their shoulders.
"It's like having a side job I never asked for," says Thilo Hartmann, chairman of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse. Technical glitches such as network outages, printer problems, and software updates are becoming the norm, and they're forcing teachers to take on the role of tech support crew.
Imagine prepping for an engaging lesson only to find out your classroom computers are acting up. You're likely on your own, left to troubleshoot the issue. That's a common scenario faced by many teachers today.
In some schools, tech-savvy teachers step up to handle IT support. "It's a few teachers who understand some tech doing it on the side," says Hartmann. Others find themselves promoted to study directors and sometimes receive a bit more compensation. But for most, especially at smaller schools, it's just extra work piled on top of their regular duties.
The maintenance of all these digital devices is time-consuming and laborious. Keeping everything up-to-date, fixing breakdowns, and ensuring system protection is a massive undertaking. It can easily consume a significant amount of a teacher's time - time that they should be spending on lesson planning and student engagement.
That's why initiatives like the "IT Supporter@School" project in Kassel are so important. This project aims to ease the burden on teachers by hiring IT supporters to handle tech-related problems. Twelve IT supporters are deployed across six schools, ready to promptly address any issues that arise.
The digital infrastructure in schools has been improved with generous support from the federal and state governments. However, the goal is to make sure that teachers can rely on the technology to work, leaving them free to focus on teaching.
The digital revolution in Hessian schools has gained traction in recent years. With the state providing additional funds to upgrade school IT infrastructure, schools are now equipped with modern, digitally supported teaching facilities across the region.
GEW sees progress but acknowledges areas for improvement. Equipment is aging and will need to be replaced in the coming years. Moreover, there's a need for expansion in media education and equitable digital equipment across all schools.
Digitalization in schools should not be an end goal, but part of a larger media education initiative. Teachers must be encouraged to critically evaluate digital tools and their impact on teaching and learning.
As schools become increasingly digital, it's crucial to address the added stress and workload that teachers are facing. By investing in well-being initiatives and digital competency programs, we can ensure that our educators are well-equipped to navigate the digital age without being overcome by the challenges it presents.
References:1. Educational Researcher, Volume 49, Issue 7, 20202. Gallup, 2020 State of the Teacher report3. American Psychological Association, 20204. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, Volume 52, Issue 2, 20205. Center for American Progress, 2020
- To alleviate the burden on teachers, it's essential to implement community policies that prioritize vocational training in technology, enabling educators to focus on education-and-self-development while effectively handling tech-related issues in schools.
- In light of the increased reliance on technology in modern schools, it's crucial to secure adequate funding for vocational training in technology, ensuring teachers have the necessary financial resources to enhance their digital skills, making education more engaging and efficient.
