Often times integrating technology into education can be a daunting task. Something that is a burden or even ignored because there are a million other things that need to be done, taught, or graded. Unfortunately, no matter how much we try to avoid the inevitable... technology is an essential component of living in the 21st-Century. Students are surrounded by technology whether it's through a personal hand-held device their parents have gotten them, or pressing buttons to order at a McDonald's kiosk (I did it for the first time two weeks ago!). Technology has not only modified the way people interact or live their lives on a daily basis, but has redefined how people order food, shop, travel, communicate, and more.
It's important that we as educators prepare our students to go into the world confident and comfortable in using technology or at least use it as an option to meet their needs. Having the choice to use or not use technology is power our students have a right to.
However, how do we as educators ensure that technology is not the focus of our lesson in our everyday subject courses? Yes, technology is important, but there doesn't have to be an obvious technology lesson each day but more so a subtle integration, especially if it's not a technology course.
Below are some ways we can use our learning goals to drive technology rather than the other way around.
1. When creating a lesson or unit, use Backward Design to keep the end in mind. This helps with point number two!
2. Before integrating tech, ask yourself: "Will this help me guide instruction?" and "How will this tool augment, modify, or redefine how students learn or help them want to learn more?"
3. Keep "Essential Questions" on the board to help keep my focus and students' focus on what the goal of the lesson is so that the technology isn't a distraction for a supplementary tool to guide instruction. This also helps in bringing the broader picture for lessons and challenges to see how each lesson can guide learning and understanding in other aspects of our lives.
4. Keep Technology Goals posted where I can see them, but even posted in a place where students can see them. This helps us be proactive in integrating technology and be mindful of including it in our lessons.
5. Partner with and frequently connect with the School Technology Specialist to see what they can offer in terms of training you or sharing new technology with you for what's appropriate for your students.
6. Ask: Are my students gaining knowledge and experiences? Knowing my students and utilizing technology in a way that gets my students excited about learning and researching can be an effective way to for students to be open and proactive about learning and integrating technology in their everyday life.
7. Stay updated on Twitter, Teacher blogs, and collaborate with teammates as well as teachers in other grades in order to see how they're integrated technology effectively.
8. Use technology regularly as a teacher. Students can see you model and lead by example and see that technology isn't intimidating.
DavidGeurin. (2019, June 15). Q1 How can we keep kids at the center of learning, not a device? #regenttech4admin" [Twitter Post] retrieved from https://twitter.com/DavidGeurin/status/1139866140727865344
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