Information Age Teachers Participants agreed that professional development is key to the change process. Teachers need to be supported and encouraged in their efforts to grow professionally. They require adequate training and ongoing technical support. Marilyn underscores the importance of placing training in the context of change. Other participants noted that teachers must be encouraged to also become researchers, curriculum innovators, and mentors.
Time is perhaps the most noted barrier to change.
Teachers need time to become comfortable and skillful technology users as well as skillful technology adapters. They need more time to plan and share in new learning experiences with their students and other colleagues. They should also continue to learn and to upgrade their skills, both in technology uses and in new pedagogues. That is why I regret the lack of planning time. I don't want to just open my cupboards and have students randomly go through the videodisks, nor wander aimlessly on the web.