These days everyone is chattering about using technology in the classroom... integrating technology into curriculum... flipping the classroom... did I miss any buzzwords? The bonus stressor is that in some schools and districts teachers are evaluated based on how well they are using technology in their classes. I've been around and worked with a large number of schools in public, private and parochial spaces -- and I can tell you that no two schools do this the same way. But... they often push their teachers into common pitfalls. In this BLOG post, I'm going to address some of those pitfalls!
Keep It Simple
Whatever you are thinking about doing with technology in your class, keep it as simple as you can. Plot out your lesson and think about how technology an enhance that lesson, don't plot out the technology and try and shove a lesson into it. Another way of thinking about it is, don't use technology for technology's sake.
Keep It Simple
Whatever you are thinking about doing with technology in your class, keep it as simple as you can. Plot out your lesson and think about how technology an enhance that lesson, don't plot out the technology and try and shove a lesson into it. Another way of thinking about it is, don't use technology for technology's sake.
Plan Ahead
I know -- sounds simple, right? I know it isn't always. However, when you are planning a lesson that uses technology you need to know if you have that technology available to you -- and how it works! Not just for you, but for the students too! That might mean reaching out to your technology folks at your school. Remember, there are usually only one or two of those folks, and they are usually vastly outnumbered by teachers... so you'll need to make sure you have enough time to ask them if Skype is installed in the computer lab, or if the projector in your room can be hooked up to student computers. That way -- if the answer is no, they can make sure you have what you need.
Set Guidelines
Make sure you've set guidelines for you and your students on how, what and why the technology can be used in your class and/or for that specific project. If you are opening up the project to allow the students to pick their own technology to use, make sure you know what that is ahead of time. This way everyone in the room knows what to expect and there are no surprises (or at least fewer).
Prepare to Lose Control
When you are flipping your classroom, you are giving students control of it to some degree. Don't let that stress you out. Be flexible, and go with the flow.
Know What You Have
Understanding your resources is super-important. If you get a great idea from a teacher at another school, make sure you have what you need to implement that idea. If students are supposed to FaceTime with students at another school -- make sure you can do that at your school with what you have there. Are there enough available computers? Can your wireless network support it? Is your Internet good enough to give you high-quality video?
Understanding your resources is super-important. If you get a great idea from a teacher at another school, make sure you have what you need to implement that idea. If students are supposed to FaceTime with students at another school -- make sure you can do that at your school with what you have there. Are there enough available computers? Can your wireless network support it? Is your Internet good enough to give you high-quality video?
Know when to use it...
I'll repeat it because it seems important... don't use technology for technology's sake. There is still room in the classroom for pencils and paper!
I'll repeat it because it seems important... don't use technology for technology's sake. There is still room in the classroom for pencils and paper!
Integration Help
Don't be afraid to reach out to others who have done it. Integrating technology into lesson plans isn't as easy as just turning on the projector or having students go on the Internet. There are a lot of really great resources on the Internet -- and probably even at your own school. Check out PBS Learning Media for some great ideas.
Overall, the key to great classroom technology integration is preparation and knowledge. You don't have to be a tech expert, but you do have to know what you have available to you (including in the help area) and how it works in a general sense.
A great book for thinking about technology in classrooms and how students view its use is Brain Gain: Technology and the Quest for Digital Wisdom. Check it out!
A great book for thinking about technology in classrooms and how students view its use is Brain Gain: Technology and the Quest for Digital Wisdom. Check it out!
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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs. He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects. Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel. He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission. Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!
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