Developmental Stages of Technology Integration
In 1980 the ACOT study, funded by the National
Science Foundation, was conducted in which Apple desktop computers were placed
in classrooms and laptops distributed to teachers as well as some students. By
on the results the researchers formulated five Developmental stages of
technology integration.
Click HERE to read more about the study.
The Five Developmental Stages of
Technology Integration*
1. Entry:
·
Aware of technology but doesn’t get
involved with it, doesn’t buy into the notion that “technology can improve
teaching” mindset, not interested not trust technology.
2. Adoption:
·
Adopts one or two tools that make sense
to them, usually personal productivity tools, yet these tools are not
implemented in the lessons.
3. Adaptation:
·
Teacher begins to implement technology
in the lesson usually through a gradual process such as using Word documents to
allow students to type assignments.
4. Appropriation:
·
Teacher’s technology confidence is high,
and this is demonstrated with the many forms of technology integrated in the lessons.
The teacher usually wants every form/type of technology in their classroom and
is perceived as “excess”. The teacher begins to seek grants for technology
improvements.
5. Innovation:
·
Teacher is more selective in technology choices;
the focus is finding what works in the curriculum. Importantly, technology becomes
one of many tools not just the only tool. Students have choices of implementing
technology in their assignments/presentations.
*Source for Five Stages: N. Zumpano's In-Class
PowerPoint (Week 3, 9/16/13)*
My Transition
I am currently in the transition from stage 4: Adaptation
to stage 5: Appropriation. I am not a novice technology user but I am also not
an expert. I consider myself in between these two ends of the technology
spectrum. I am in this transitioning period both personally and professionally.
Personally, I always use Word Document to write anything ranging from emails to
miscellaneous personal writings, and I am highly confident in my technology
literacy and typing speed. My professional aspect with technology differs from
my personal technology usage. Although I am not in the teaching field yet I am
still immersed with implementing technology in the classroom thanks to
Dominican University’s wonderful Teacher Education Program. In every education
course thus far I have been learning and implementing technology into lesson
plans. I am confident with my technological literacy to the extent that I know
how to use technology to improve my teaching and provide students with a differentiated
learning.
Should These Stages Be Taken at Face
Value?
ACOT study’s formulated stages at first glance
appear accurate and perhaps concisely simplified to explain the complexity of
our perspective on technology. Although I know many people that fall within
some of these stages, which is the case of my best friend that only uses
Facebook and occasionally uses Yahoo’s email service, there are many people,
such as myself (as explained above), that don’t necessarily fall within one
particular stage but rather within the transition of one stage to another. I agree
with the order these stages are listed as but I just don’t people should feel compelled
to categorize themselves within only one of these stages because there are many
people who are within a transition of stage and perhaps this transition can
take years with the ever changing modern technological society that we live within.
More importantly just remember that all studies are one way or another biased
and this should be taken into consideration before accepting the final conclusion.
Keep these questions in mind; by who was the study conducted by, a non-profit
organization or a company that can benefit financially from the results? 
Your Thoughts?
Do you agree
with the order of these stages?
What stage or transition of stages do you feel
represents your developmental stage of technology integration?
*Respond in the comments section below*
I was happy to read that other classes in your University program are using technology and weaving it into their lessons. That's excellent! Great job, prompting your audience to reflect and respond as well.
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