Quite a few of the tech integration specialists in my personal learning network are being told their positions are either being eliminated or reduced due to budget cuts. I’m wondering why – does this mean technology integration is considered a luxury if it is one of the first things put on the chopping block? I think not.

We have been told that our job is to prepare students for the 21st century. Technology is and will continue to be in their personal and professional lives. As educators, it is our responsibility to be sure students are prepared to effectively use that technology and it is the integration specialists who are helping us accomplish this goal. They are staying current with the latest technology, providing necessary training and supporting the classroom teacher with the implementation of technology to enhance the students’ learning. The learning curve for teachers is greatly reduced with this support – I recently read an article that said without professional development, it takes about seven years to implement a new technology and with support, about two and a half years. Without the integration specialists, technology integration will surely slow or take a few steps backwards.

It is my hope that administrators throughout the country will rethink their decisions to reduce or eliminate tech integration specialists. Our students need their expertise if they are going to be “tech literate” upon graduation.