Using what you have to do more

Often, what intimidates classroom teachers is the fear that they aren't sure they have enough of the technology or experience to use technology in their classrooms. But, we can, and must, start somewhere.

In a July 29, 2008 article on Edutopia.org, Suzie Boss collects five great tips from educators about what simple steps we can take to start integrating now. The following 5 steps come from this article, "Overcoming Technology Barriers: How to Innovate Without Extra Money or Support"

     Step 1: Innovate with the Tools you already have

          Look around your classroom: what do you have that you can use for a different kind of project then you usually do?

     Step 2: Seek out Free, easy to use Digital Resources

          The internet is full of podcasts, free software, research, resources, and tools that can be used. You just need to find them.

     Step 3: Overcome your Fear of the Unknown

          This includes using peer learning groups to share ideas among educators in your school.

     Step 4: Start with Small, Fast projects that Enhance Learning

Education professor Mike Muir, who directs the Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning, recommends introducing educators to an engaging task that's relatively easy. "Teachers need to be successful early," he says. "You want to start with something familiar and close to what they are already doing, but so different that it can be a portal to new possibilities. It's about paradigm shifting." Muir suggests starting with inquiry-oriented lessons called WebQuests. As part of the lesson, students use Internet resources (typically preselected by the teacher) to answer higher-order questions about a specific topic. "Find some that relate to what you are already teaching," Muir advises.

     Step 5: Learn with your Students

GenYES encourages teachers to learn about technology in the context of their own classroom, side-by-side with their students. Professional development that's embedded in the classroom has more staying power than one-shot workshops.

What else can we do with what we already have? Let the challenge to reach the students overcome the challenge of 'how'.