Teachers Need Time, Training to Use Computers Well

Publication: Charleston Gazette
Date: July 17, 2010

Summary: Paul Epstein, co-director of the Central West Virginia Writing Project, writes in the Charleston Gazette that teachers need sustained professional development, like the kind offered by NWP, for teachers to effectively implement a 21st century curriculum for all students.

Excerpt from Article

In the twenty-three years I have taught in West Virginia elementary schools, many students have benefited tremendously from these computers, but I've also seen many computers sitting unused in the backs of classrooms or used for games and activities with limited educational value.

Though teachers received some training in using the hardware and software, from what I've seen, few integrated these powerful tools into their everyday lessons. Only recently, as teachers have started receiving an array of "in-classroom" equipment like laptops and projectors am I seeing a shift.

But simply providing equipment is not enough. I have learned through my involvement with the National Writing Project that teachers need to be comfortable with their own writing process before they can be effective teachers of writing. They must also be comfortable and confident users of technology before they can effectively employ technology in their lessons.

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Read Paul Epstein: Teachers need time, training to use computers well in the Charleston Gazette.