Navigating Education's Tech Troubles: The Struggles of the Modern Teacher
- *
Struggles with Digitalization in Education - Pressures Teachers Encounter in the Digital Classroom - Digital Transformation's Impact on Educators: A Look at its Psychological Effects on Teachers
The days of chalk and blackboards are long gone, replaced by Wi-Fi woes and inkjet ink disasters. Schools diving headfirst into the digital realm are experiencing a rise in tech troubles - with teachers left to sort 'em out. "Schools are grappling with an excess of work and digital stress caused by this tech-savvy shift," says Thilo Hartmann, chairman of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse.
Teachers expect their tech to fire on all cylinders while planning their lessons. But when it goes awry, they're on their own. "When things don't work as intended, there's often no one to call. Teachers must tackle tech problems head-on," Hartmann explains.
At some schools, the tech-savvy crew chip in for IT support. "A handful of teachers with a smidgen of know-how do it as a side-gig," Hartmann notes. In other instances, study directors are elevated to senior positions, earning a bit extra. Others get a slight break in their schedules - but for many, especially smaller schools, it's yet another heap of chores.
Keeping devices pristine and up-to-date is a time-consuming endeavor
In an average school of around 1,000 students and over 100 teachers, there's a ton of hardware to maintain. It's a twofold responsibility that can't be brushed aside casually. "In corporations, there's an entire IT department handling this. Schools lack such resources," Hartmann says.
The tech troubles start with gadgets in computer labs conking out. Suddenly, there are technical issues, and internet connections go AWOL. Quick fixes are a necessity to prevent classes from falling behind schedule. Devices must be regularly updated, software patches installed, and data privacy protected - tasks often devouring precious time.
Kassel Steps In
Kassel is tackling these problems head-on with its "IT Supporter@School" project. The city has enlisted a dozen IT supporters, each supporting six schools. "Teachers aren't IT pros, just trying to teach. These champions are doing tech support in addition to their regular responsibilities," says Mayor and Education Commissioner Nicole Maisch (Greens).
IT supporter Thorben Schröder explains that he handles troubleshooting for speedy, on-site fixes. He and his comrades serve as the schools' first point-of-contact for issues and requests, hopping by regularly and, of course, in case of emergencies.
"When my iPad bites the dust, I'm out of luck," says Carsten Horstmann, deputy headmaster of the Johann-Amos-Comenius School. The advantage of IT supporters is that they can nip problems in the bud, while teachers save their energy for more pressing matters. "It's a breath of fresh air," Horstmann says.
A Brighter Digital Tomorrow
The digital infrastructure in schools has gotten a boost, in part, thanks to the generous backing of the federal and state governments through the Digital Pact I. Now, the focus is on supporting the 55 schools in Kassel to ensure digital teaching can run smoothly. As Maisch puts it, "Teachers should know their tech will always work. Our goal is to give teachers the freedom to focus on teaching without being bogged down by technical issues."
The German Ministry of Culture recognizes the challenges posed by the digitalization of schools. "The digital evolution of schools presents a complex web of challenges," they explain. But progress has been made in areas like educating staff and guaranteeing resources. For continued success, ongoing effort is needed.
The aim of digitalization is to support teachers with administrative tasks and tailor teaching to each student's needs. "Digital tools provided by the state and school carriers relieve teachers, according to the state's viewpoint. The state promotes tech support that simplifies daily tech usage for teachers," says the ministry.
Recently, digitalization has made significant strides in Hessian schools. "Especially due to additional state funds for significantly increasing the volume of school IT infrastructure in the Digital Pact, schools across the state will be equipped with modern tech that facilitates digital, educationally supportive teaching," the ministry adds.
GEW's Take
"Digitalization in schools has accelerated due to the pandemic. Yet, we still have a long way to go," says GEW state chairman Hartmann. Immediate funding is required to tackle the backlog of repairs over the coming years, he says, as equipment ages and requires updating. Moreover, GEW advocates expanding media education, teaching digital skills beyond simple computer use, and ensuring equal access to digital resources across schools.
[1] Digital Education Action Plan (European Commission), 2018[2] Well-being Strategies for Teachers in Primary Schools (Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Croatia), 2021
- The backlog of repairs in schools' digital infrastructure, brought about by the accelerated digitalization due to the pandemic, calls for immediate funding according to GEW's chairman, Thilo Hartmann.
- Vocational training for teachers is crucial, especially in the context of digitalization, as GEW advocates expanding media education to teach digital skills beyond simple computer use.
- In Kassel's IT Supporter@School project, digitalization aims to provide support for teachers by handling administrative tasks and tailoring teaching to each student's needs using state-provided digital tools.
- Education and self-development can be furthered through vocational training, as the German Ministry of Culture recognizes the complex web of challenges posed by the digital evolution of schools, and is working towards ensuring resources and educating staff for continued progress.
