While many schools may not have changed because of technology integration, I would argue that students certainly have. Teachers remain the subject-area expert in the classroom, as it should be, but their students are now the technology experts. Teachers can not, and should not even try, to catch-up.
The only successful way to teach in a tech-integrated classroom (and with students carrying their own powerful, personal tech in their pockets - there is no longer any such thing as a tech-free class), is to approach learning as a collaborative adventure where all participants learn (teacher included) and all participate in teaching and supporting learning. This means teachers are allowed to say, "I don't know" and students who teach the teacher are rewarded with gratitude at least, possibly even with formal credit. The best teachers have always taught this way.
One change that I would suggest for schools is to pour less $$ into teacher tech PD, and to formalize the support role that students can (and already do) hold. Create a formal structure for students teaching each other, teaching teachers, and even providing trouble-shooting tech support. Students who will use the expensive tools should be charged with testing them to ensure a good investment. The plain truth is, that the students are better qualified to judge this than a hurried, harried teacher.
Some schools already have student tech support teams. I have seen students who might normally get lost academically, find meaning and purpose in school for the first time. The bonus is that teachers in these schools can focus their energies on their subjects, and stop feeling as though they are running a race that they can’t hope to win.
I agree with having student tech support teams in schools. I recently set this up in my school and empowered the students on the team with the information necessary to troubleshoot certain problems. There are a few members in each room and they are the first to help out a teacher or another student who needs assistance instead of me. They are also responsible for helping to ensure the computers are clean and updated so they are good at ensuring their fellow classmates are respectful of the computers. Every school should have one of these teams! Good for teachers and good for students.
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