Navigating Tech Turmoil - The Teacher's Perspective on School Digitalization
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Technological Strain Impose Challenges on Educators: Examining the Stressors Faced by Teachers. - Digital Transformation's Impact on Educators: Its Effects on Teachers' Wellbeing
Got a printer jam? Software glitch? Deal with it - teachers are on it! Increasing digitalization in schools means a rise in technical issues, often left for educators to tackle. "In schools, digitalization results in significant additional work and tech-related stress," says Thilo Hartmann, head honcho at the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse.
Lesson time hacked by tech hiccups! Teachers expect the gig to run smoothly, but when it doesn't, help can be hard to find. "It's common to find oneself in a pickle where there's no one to turn to," Hartmann admits.
There's a tech troop on deck, voluntarily lending a hand. "In schools, the tech-savvy step up and handle IT support, generally on the side," explains Hartmann. Some schools promote study leaders to senior leaders, offering a little extra cash. Others simply reclaim time, but at many, particularly smaller schools, it's a bonus chore on top of everything else.
Burdened by the Beeps and Bops
For schools with over a thousand pupils and a hundred teachers, there's a stack of devices to care for. This is no side gig. "In an office, you'd have a separate IT team for that. We don't in schools," Hartmann clarifies.
First, it's the failure of devices in computer labs. Next, there's tech trouble to be dealt with, sometimes lacking a stable internet connection. Someone's gotta fix it pronto to keep the classes running as scheduled. Then there are regular updates, new systems to learn, and data protection to manage. All that brings lengthy sessions and coordination dilemmas.
Kassel Cuts the Cord
Kassel's got a game plan to ease the load. The "IT-Supporter@School" project aims to help teachers. The city's hired a dozen tech gurus, each supporting six schools. "Our schools can no longer handle the technical support," says Mayor and Education Commissioner Nicole Maisch (Greens).
IT supporter Thorben Schröder spills the deets. He and his crew handle on-site problems they can solve and act as liaisons for schools with queries and wishes. They pay frequent visits, and of course are on alert duty for emergencies.
School deputy headmaster Carsten Horstmann, ready with his iPad, sees the upside. "When my iPad breaks, I’m in a bind. However, the IT supporters step in and solve the issue promptly. It's become much more enjoyable."
The Digital Spectacle
Props to the digital infrastructure in schools, largely bankrolled by the federal and state governments thanks to the Digital Pact I, says Maisch. Kassel's goal now is to ensure that digital teaching happens consistently. "Teachers should know that the tech works. We aim for teachers to focus on their job without tech troubles draining too much energy."
Ministry: "Promote Technical Support"
"The school digitalization reflects the complexity that comes with the introduction of modern technologies," explains the Hessian Ministry of Culture. Great strides have been made in regions like adapting existing structures, promoting competencies, and ensuring resources. "However, continuous effort is needed in these areas for successful development of technologies."
The goal of digitalization is to empower teachers with administrative tasks and enhance their pedagogy. "Digital applications provided by the state and school carriers save teachers in many areas, according to the ministry. In the area of IT gear, the state fosters technical support that aids teachers in their daily life."
Digitalization has made significant strides in Hessian schools recently. "Thanks to the state's extra funding, school IT infrastructure has received a significant boost in the Digital Pact." This guarantees that schools across the state have an IT infrastructure equipped for modern, digitally supported teaching.
GEW Weighs In
"Digitalization in schools has gathered momentum thanks to the Corona pandemic. But we're still a long way from our goal," says GEW state chairman Hartmann. Urgent funding is needed to address the backlog of maintenance in the coming years, as the gear is now due for a replacement. "No plan yet on how this will be funded," Hartmann laments.
GEW also pushes for expanded media education. Digital literacy isn't just clicking around on a computer. "Digitalization must be viewed critically," said Hartmann. Every school should have equal digital resources.
- Digitalization
- Stress
- Kassel
- Teachers
- GEW
- iPad
- Wiesbaden
- Education and Science Union
- Hessen
- Computer
- The increasing digitalization in schools and the resulting technical issues have led to significant additional work and tech-related stress for teachers, as admitted by Thilo Hartmann, head of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse.
- Kassel has implemented an "IT-Supporter@School" project, hiring a dozen tech gurus who support six schools each, aiming to alleviate the technical burden on teachers.
- In Hessen, digitalization has made significant strides, with schools receiving a boost in IT infrastructure due to the Digital Pact, but GEW state chairman Hartmann notes that urgent funding is needed in the coming years to address maintenance and replacement of outdated equipment.
