The Struggle with Tech Headaches in Modernized Schools - What's Got Teachers Feeling overworked and Stressed
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Overburdened Educators and Digitalization's Struggle: Challenges Confronted by Instructors in the Tech-Centric Classroom - Digitalisation's Impact on Teachers: An Examination of Pressure Experienced
In today's tech-driven world, schools are increasingly adopting digital teaching methods. But as they do, they're also taking on a heap of technical troubles - troubles that often fall on the teachers' shoulders. "Digitalization is causing a pile of additional work and digital stress for teachers," says Thilo Hartmann, the big cheese of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse.
Teachers are expected to prepare their lessons with the assumption that technology will function seamlessly. "When it doesn't, there's usually no one to call," Hartmann admits.
At many schools, tech-savvy teachers are left to handle IT issues like fixing printer problems or installing updates - tasks they usually handle on the side. Some schools promote study counselors to senior study counselors and award a bit of extra cash for it. Others offer a bit of time off. But at many, especially smaller schools, it's just another chore piled on top of everything else.
Keeping all the devices up and running is no piece of cake
Imagine a school with around 1,000 students and over 100 teachers. It's a double burden that can't just be dealt with on the side. "In a company, you'd have your own IT department. Schools don't have that," Hartmann stresses.
From bits breaking off in computer rooms to internet issues, someone needs to be available on-site to nip problems in the bud so classes can carry on as planned. Devices need to be kept updated, updates installed, and data and system protection ensured. This can be incredibly time-consuming and requires learning new systems and discussing numerous details.
Kassel Steps In
In Kassel, the "IT Supporter@School" project aims to lend a helping hand. The city has enlisted twelve IT supporters, each supporting six schools. "The schools have asked for help managing the technical support," says Mayor and Education Commissioner Nicole Maisch (Greens). "These aren't IT specialists or trained professionals, they're teachers doing this in addition to their regular duties."
IT supporter Thorben Schröder explains his role. He helps fix problems that can be resolved on-site and serves as the schools' point of contact for issues and requests. He regularly visits the schools and, of course, shows up in emergencies too.
"When my iPad fails, I feel the pinch," Carsten Horstmann, the deputy headmaster of the Johann-Amos-Comenius School, admits. The benefit of IT supporters is that they can promptly sort out problems, while teachers often don't have the time. "It's become a lot more pleasant."
InfrastructureMaisch points out that the digital infrastructure in schools was made possible thanks to generous support from the federal and state governments through the Digital Pact I. Now, the goal is to help the 55 schools in Kassel ensure dependable digital teaching. "Teachers should have faith that the technology will work. Our aim is to allow teachers to focus on their job without technology demands absorbing too much of their energy," Maisch explains.
Ministry: "Empower Technical Support"
The Hessian Ministry of Culture acknowledges that the digitalization of schools reflects the intricacy associated with the integration of modern technologies. Progress has been made in areas such as adapting existing structures, fostering competencies among all involved, and ensuring resources. However, continuous effort is necessary to successfully accompany the ongoing advancement of these technologies.
The purpose of digitalization is to assist teachers in both administrative tasks and their pedagogical work, allowing for individual student support. The ministry believes that the digital applications provided by the state and school carriers relieve teachers in many areas. The state actively encourages technical support to ease teachers in their daily use of IT equipment.
Digitalization in Hessian Schools
Digitalization in Hessian schools has advanced significantly in recent years, particularly thanks to additional state funds allocated to significantly increase the investment volume for school IT infrastructure in the Digital Pact. This has allowed schools across the state to be equipped with an IT infrastructure that enables modern, digitally supported teaching.
GEW Sees Progress, but Also Room for Improvement
"Digitalization in schools has taken giant strides due to the Corona pandemic. However, we're still a long way off from where we want to be," says GEW state chairman Hartmann. Urgent funding is required to tackle the backlog of repairs in the coming years, as the equipment is now at a stage where it needs to be replaced. Hartmann expresses worry that there's no plan for how this will be funded.
GEW also calls for an expansion of media education. Digital media literacy involves more than just using a computer and surfing the internet. "Digitalization isn't a goal in itself, but a part of media education that needs critical examination," Hartmann insists. All schools should have equal access to digital resources.
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Keywords:- Digitalization- Stress- Kassel- Teachers- GEW- iPad- Wiesbaden- Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft- Hessen- Computer
Insights:- The challenges in providing IT support to teachers in digitalized schools include complicated technical issues, the need for immediate assistance, a wide range of digital tools, the integration of tech support into teaching activities, and sustainability of support for evolving technology.- Solutions may include having dedicated IT supporters in schools, training and empowering teachers, providing proactive support and communication, fostering cooperation, and building sustainable support capacities. The Kassel project exemplifies these strategies.
- To reduce teacher stress related to technology and vocational training in the digitalized classroom, more support should be provided through infrastructure updates, such as the "IT Supporter@School" project in Kassel, and resources for media education as advocated by GEW, which could improve digital literacy and ensure equal access to digital resources across all schools.
- In tandem with school digitalization initiatives, it is crucial to establish adequate funding for tech infrastructure maintenance, including replacement of aging equipment, in order to provide a seamless learning environment, making it possible for teachers to refocus on education-and-self-development instead of tech-related finance and technology challenges.
