Researching a Tech Staff Development Curriculum

One area of technology I think can be addressed and would benefit everyone is the way that students take notes in their classes. If a school adopts a method in which all teachers and all students use the same uniformed program in which students can streamline their note taking process, then they will become more efficient learners. If the same type of program is used, students can build off of their content from previous classes, semesters, and years as they travel through courses that have multiple levels of content (i.e. English 1 is taken in ninth grade, English 2 is taken in tenth grade, etc.) Also, if a school staff is using the same note-taking program, then teachers, curriculum directors, and administrators can help each other learn, use, and adapt similar practices and trouble shoot any technology issues that might arise. A change in the use of technology is always hard for some staff, it is a “complex, inherently social, developmental process” (Straub, 2009).   Lastly, if a school district or an individual school is using the same method of note-taking, it can become very cost effective and save schools monetarily. It can drive down the cost of providing an education to the students and increase technological literacy and fundamental 21^st century skill base. As a “gatekeeper” of the technology, I can help staff learn and use the technology and provide workshops to educate teachers and administration. A schedule can be developed to target certain classes to help the school learn and grow with the use of the technology. Ideally, we would want to target the beginning or introductory classes and then continue to move up to the advanced classes every year to give students the opportunity to use the technology.  Focusing on a specific and common note-taking application can have many benefits for student and staff.