Where should teachers new to technology start?

Let’s face it, I’m one of the converted.  I think about going back into a classroom and I wonder how I would do it if I didn’t have access to computers, laptops, a Smartboard, microphones, cameras and internet connections. I believe these “tools” are quickly becoming essential in today’s classroom.  They help to capture the imagination of the students, engage them in ways that we can’t otherwise, and allow for expression, connection and creativity in unimaginable ways. They offer authentic and fun ways to teach problem solving and critical thinking.

But what about teachers who haven’t yet experienced the thrill of watching students put together a powerful presentation, connect with classmates across the world, or conduct online interview with experts that they were able to track down and connect to all on their own?   How do you best introduce the possibilities? What would you start with to convince teachers who are relunctant to use technology to be willing to give it a try?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Is there a single article, blog, video or book that you’d recommend such a teacher start with?  Of course, it is also imperative to dive in at some point, but what would you use to encourgage someone to take the plunge?

Photo by DRB62 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/drb62/2474763910/.

2 thoughts on “Where should teachers new to technology start?

  1. Hi Betty,
    I’m not a teacher – I’m an IT project manager who’s been working exclusively in education for the last five years. My projects have been about designing and deploying servers, workstations and networks (wired and wireless) into schools.

    We’ve done deployments to about 50 schools – technology planning meetings with about another 30 or so.

    What strikes me is how spending money & time on the hardware/software is only a foundation – and too often the human supports are the ones that get missed, or cut during tight budgets.

    I’m also a mother of three (10, 7, 3) and each year, I volunteer for projects in my older two’s classrooms. I love working with teachers to brainstorm new project ideas that use technology in new ways (my contribution to the conversation) and deliver multiple aspects of the curriculum (the teacher’s expertise!).

    To help teachers start using technology in their classrooms, I think there are a few things that can help:
    1) ASK THEM and help them follow their passion – how do they use technology now? what do they know about technology integration? what projects have they seen done? what would they like to do? what’s their biggest passion in teaching (with or without tech)?
    2) find ways for them to share/talk/connect with their peers who are already doing it
    3) find ways to provide in class mentoring to plan new ways of teaching their projects AND to provide the moral and technical support as they try it out the first few times – in order to take away that “fear factor” of trying something unknown.
    4) provide technical resources for lesson planning – so that teachers and techs (or teachers who are tech savvvy) can spend time brainstorming ideas.
    5) find ways of sharing ideas across a school or even a District: twitter? blogging? videos? chats and discussion (virtual or face to face) – because teachers are highly individual, so it’s powerful to share ideas, then each teacher can take that idea and make it their own…
    6) (or maybe this one should be #1!) spend time teaching administrators about the importance of tech integration – because it’s the Principal that has to support these initiatives and is the one who provides the “human supports” needed by the teachers/staff

    I truly believe that it’s the human to human contact and sharing of stories/ideas – even seeing it in action – is what will convert people, what will help them understand the power…

    Thank you for thinking and talking about this – it makes a difference for all of our children!

    Take care,
    Heidi

  2. Hi Heidi, thanks for contributing here. It is interesting to think about having teachers start with their passions.

    Your post lead me to your blog post http://www.iwasthinking.ca/2008/10/09/its-not-about-the-technology/, which then led me to David Warlick’s post http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=1587, both worth rereading. Of course ideally we start with the students, with their strengths and their needs. Often though, if the students have expertise and interest in technology that can be scary for teachers who have little or no experience with technology. So getting teachers away from worrying about the technology, seeing it more as a tool, rather than the thing that needs to be taught, makes good sense.