This video was shared with me shortly after. It really gave me clarity after this experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIBDR4Dn2g
Today a few teachers began expressing concerns about the implementation. They felt as if they were “entertaining” the kids with technology rather than teaching the content. I am not going to lie, these conversations with the teachers were tough. I remember feeling the same way at the start of my classroom implementation experience. I remember feeling like the district was paying me to learn technology and a lot of my instruction was suffering. I empathized with the teachers and suggested they take a step back. If students don’t know how to write, then set the technology aside and model what needs to be done. I reiterated that technology should be a tool to enhance the instruction. It should not be used just to be used. After a few more conversations, the teachers realized that they did need to slow down with the all of the technology being used. Instead, they needed to focus on what they have learned thus far and really strengthen those tools instead of adding more tools. There will always be another tool out there. If you try to use everything at once, nothing will become solid. Pick a few tools, use them well and celebrate success. One teacher took out a piece of paper and wrote down everything she has accomplished and implemented up to this point in the school year. Once she did that, she felt proud and was motivated to work on strengthening the tools listed. She also realized how much she has been doing and how the technology is allowing the kids to be creative, think critically, be engaged, collaborate and have choice. I thought writing down successes was an excellent idea! So much so that I shared it with the entire staff in my weekly TechTidbits.
This video was shared with me shortly after. It really gave me clarity after this experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIBDR4Dn2g
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AuthorHi! My name is Michelle Kenefick and this is my first year as a Technology Integration Specialist for a K-12 district in the Chicago suburbs. Prior to becoming an EdTech, I taught 5th grade students for 15 years. I had the opportunity to be a part of a 1:1 implementation my final year as a classroom teacher. The collaboration, critical thought, creativity and love for learning that occurred in those few months was empowering. Archives
February 2015
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