Stressed Out Teachers: The Digital Burden in Classrooms
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Struggles Faced by Educators in the Digital Era: Examining the Pressures of Technological Transformation in Education - Digitalisation's psychological impact on educators: Insights into its effects
No more printer jams, network glitches, or software updates - a tech-free fantasy for teachers drowning in digital responsibility. The ever-growing digitalization in education, while promising comfort, has instead bonded teachers with an additional load of technical troubles, increasingly causing overtime and digital stress. Thilo Hartmann, chair of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse, laments this digital torment.
Teachers rely on uninterrupted technology for lesson preparation. However, many times, there's no one to contact when things go south. Leaving them with no choice but to handle these technical nightmares themselves.
At many school houses, those who are tech-savvy shoulder the IT support responsibility. "A handful of educators who have a knack for tech lend a hand," claims Hartmann. At some, study directors are promoted to senior study directors and receive a bit more money for this. While others experience a slight time reduction. "But in most, particularly smaller schools, it's an extra chore piled on an already full plate."
Expecting the latest tech updates and bug fixes
With over a thousand students and over 100 teachers in a single school, maintaining the plethora of tech devices becomes a heavy undertaking. "A corporation would have its own IT department for this. We don't have that luxury in schools," grumbles Hartmann.
Troubleshooting occasional device malfunctions in computer labs or the absence of internet connection is the tip of the iceberg. The devices also need regular updates, and data and system protection ensured. This often proves to be a painstakingly time-consuming task requiring learning new systems and exasperating coordination efforts.
Kassel: Tech Support for Teachers
In Kassel, the "IT-Supporter@School" project aims to relieve teachers from this distress. The city has hired twelve IT supporters, each supporting six schools. "Teachers who aren't tech whizzes or lack proper training have been taking on tech troubles along with their normal duties," reveals Mayor and Education Department Nicole Maisch (Greens).
IT supporter Thorben Schröder assists with problems that can be promptly resolved on-site. He, along with his coworkers, serves as a contact person for schools for issues and requests, visits regularly, and of course, in an emergency.
"If my tablet crashes, I'm in trouble"
"Today, we have digital boards in almost every classroom. My class revolves around my tablet. If my tablet is down, I'm in deep trouble," confesses Carsten Horstmann, deputy headmaster of the Johann-Amos-Comenius School. The charm of tech supports lies in their ability to handle problems instantly, rather than forcing teachers to set aside their teaching responsibilities. "That's become much more pleasant."
Digital Infrastructure:
The digital infrastructure in schools was generously supported by the federal and state governments as part of the Digital Pact I, according to Maisch. Now, the focus is on enabling digital teaching for Kassel's 55 schools to operate smoothly. "Teachers should know technology will work. Our aim is to allow educators to focus on teaching, rather than being bogged down by the technical aspects."
Ministry: "Encourage Technical Support"
The increase in digitization in schools echoes the complexity that comes with modern technology integration, acknowledges the Hessian Ministry of Culture. Notable advancements have been made in areas such as adapting existing structures, fostering competencies among all stakeholders, and ensuring resources. "Nevertheless, continuous technological innovation requires ongoing efforts to facilitate this progress."
The drive behind digitalization is to empower teachers by relieving them from administrative tasks and personalizing each student's learning experience. "Tools provided by the state and school carriers release teachers from burdensome administrative tasks, in the viewpoint of the ministry. In the area of IT equipment, the state promotes technical support that lightens teachers' daily loads."
Digitalization in Hessian schools has drastically advanced in recent years. "Especially since the state has injected additional funds to substantially boost the investment volume for school IT infrastructure in the Digital Pact." This ensures that schools across Hesse are furnished with an IT infrastructure suitable for digitally supported teaching.
GEW: Progress Yet Lingering Challenges
While digitalization in classrooms has significantly boosted due to the pandemic, Hartmann considers us far from ideal. Urgent funds must be allocated in coming years to address the backlog. The equipment is now nearing its longevity limit. "The devices are now at a point where they need to be replaced in the next few years. There's no plan as to how this will be funded," Hartmann points out.
GEW also pushes for the expansion of media education. Mastering digital media is more than operating a computer and browsing the internet. "Digitalization is not an end in itself, but part of media education. It must be critically evaluated," emphasized Hartmann. Every school should possess equal digital resources.
- The digitalization in education has increased the responsibilities of teachers, often causing overtime and digital stress, as detailed by Thilo Hartmann, chair of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Hesse.
- In many schools, a small group of teachers who are tech-savvy are expected to handle the IT support, leading to an extra burden on their already full plates, according to Hartmann.
- In Kassel, the "IT-Supporter@School" project aims to alleviate this burden by hiring twelve IT supporters, each supporting six schools, to help teachers with tech problems and act as a contact person for schools for issues and requests.
- According to Carsten Horstmann, deputy headmaster of the Johann-Amos-Comenius School, the presence of tech supports is beneficial as it allows them to handle problems instantly, rather than teachers having to set aside their teaching responsibilities to fix tech issues.