On Getting Others at Spencer Tech Academy to Use More Technology In Their Teaching and Student Learning

At the ICE (Illinios Computing Educators) conference there was a session entitled "Getting Teachers to Adopt Technology" by Rushton Hurley. He gave a list of "do's and don'ts" which I won't go into because, I can't remember them all. What I do remember, was a point that he made that summed it all up: Teachers are interested in technology that will save them time or help kids learn better. Teachers at Spencer Tech use technology pretty regularly. The next step is for students to get more hands-on and more rich experiences with the technology. Through these experiences they should be able to connect or utilize the technology with content in such a way that it deepens their understanding or shows evidence of learning. Helping kids learn better.

Often it seems that the "technology unit" has to be something huge or extra that the teachers and students do and definitely not something that saves them time. These units seem to be better suited for after the ISAT because then there is more time to do the extra stuff if takes to pull these projects off. Getting teachers and students to use more technology B.I. (before ISAT) means getting away from the notion (I can't believe I used the word "notion" the Obamas are rubbing off on me.) of a "technology project". The "project" or "unit" mindset can also make the work disconnected from the basic curriculum so students and teachers may not see what basic and concrete skills are being developed; unless one is talking about skills based software programs. Those programs are valuable uses of technology but, we need to get more students using applications (word processing, spreadsheets, etc), blogging, creating digital artifacts, using web 2.0 and using peripherals such as digital cameras more often. These are some strategies that I plan to or will continue to use:

1. Continue to make myself available as a resource and leader and offer ideas and encouragement to my colleagues regarding their use of technology with and by their students.

2. Discuss with colleagues where they are in regard to technology use and comfort and suggest ways that they can build on the strengths they already have in technology and their content area and how those two can connect to each other.

3. Assist colleagues in showcasing and displaying the artifacts that they and their students create.

4. Commit to follow-up and follow-through with colleagues who ask for assistance or with whom I am collaborating.

5. Encouraging colleagues to reflect on challenges and creating a "bank" of technology based activities that they can use.

6. Help identify students who have strong technology skills and who can assist teachers.

7. Work with colleagues using technology that will help their students learn and not be a lot of extra work for them.

I am very proud of the teachers at Spencer Tech. The level at which they do use technology continues to increase as time passes. As we get into A.I. (after ISAT) time I look forward to more opportunities to support relevant and rich use of technology by students and teachers at our school. Those that do not require much more work for teachers, and that help students learn better. If you have any other suggestions for strategies I can adopt, please comment.