Do you ever feel tension from the pressure to use more and more technology in your classroom? Every individual looks at this pressure differently. We can divide the population into groups like the altitude zones in Mexico (I was just studying this with my daughter for a test). There are three altitude zones: the top one is the Tierra fria (this would be our advanced technology users), the middle is the Tierra templada (intermediate users) and the Tierra caliente (the beginners). I apologize for the comparison but that is fresh on my mind!
For the beginners, individuals that feel they are being forced into the technology education era, don't be afraid. You aren't going to break it and so what if the students know more than you, learn from them! I recently read an online article "
5 Tips to Help Teachers Who Struggle with Technology". While these tips are wonderful tips some don't necessarily apply. I've added to those 5 tips here.
1. I would say that most schools already have a tech team. I would change this to don't be afraid to use your tech team. As teachers we tell students to always ask questions, one of the best ways to learn. Then why are we the first ones to shy away from asking questions? Asking questions does not make us look stupid. It makes us look quite the opposite. It shows that we are true teachers - always eager to learn!
2. Do you have professional development overload? Have you ever been to a workshop or conference and learned so much that you don't know if you are walking forwards or backwards? Well, I am a technology trainer and I can honestly say I have. Anytime I go to a conference it feels like my head is going to explode because I want to implement everything and have a hard time knowing where to begin. So - here's a good tip. Take the time to write (or type) one sentence about everything you learned (if you learned alot of web apps just write the name). Review what you have and pick ONE thing. Spend the next week (or two or three) learning this and then implement it somehow (in your classroom, with your PLC). After you feel good about this you can check it off your list and move onto the next thing. Babies see other babies crawling, older children running, adults walking, etc. Do they start out running? No, they start out crawling and they master that before moving on. The same goes with Math. You start with one concept and you build on it.
I hate to tell you this but technology is not going away. We are surrounded by digital natives, human beings born into the digital age. It is second nature to them, easier than learning how to blow a bubble with bubble gum! Throughout time there are what I call fads in education (just like fads in fashion), things that come and go. Well - this is not a fad but a shift in learning. We can't expect students to learn to read without books or to write without a pencil. Well, we have to help them use these digital tools responsibly and effectively. Therefore, don't be afraid to learn (it kind of puts us in the students' shoes - do you think they feel lost sometimes in class?).
