Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1158290
Learning and adapting while educating Continuing advancements in technology mean ever-increasing uses in application to education, but not all are easy transitions. New technology means a need for professional development, the courage to take risks, and the ability to model best practices that will shape the way students use technology as they grow. Sometimes it means understanding whether a technological tool is even necessary. Chowchilla social studies teacher Jordan Mattox says it's natural for educators to utilize educational technology that benefits students while lightening teachers' workloads, such as using online resources to turn in and grade papers. But educa- tors need to remain vigilant that technology is being used for the right reasons. "It can be tempting to replace the difficult with the easy, slowly removing essay questions and replacing them with self-grading multiple-choice questions," says Mattox, a member of the Chowchilla Elementary Teachers Association. "It's up to the teacher to ask themself the question before implementing the new tech tool: 'How will this benefit my students?' Or the reverse and ultimately more psychologically honest question: 'Am I just doing this to make my life easier?' " On the other hand, saying no to a tech tool may be failing to take advantage of the breadth of educational technology to engage and inspire students, which can happen when educators are wary of taking risks. Oak Grove education technology spe- cialist Bruce Neff says that while some teachers are embracing new tools and encouraging students to explore material in excit- ing ways, many are still reluctant to take the plunge. "A s E d Te c h c o a c h e s , w e e n c o u r a g e t e a c h e r s t o s t e p b e y on d th e ir c omfor t zon e , w h e th er th at i s a b aby st e p o r g i a n t l e a p ," h e s ay s . " By p r o v i di n g su pp o r t f o r t h o s e N O M A T T E R H O W welcome the addition or how seamless the integration into the class- room, using educational technology for the first time can be an intimidating experience. EdTech experts agree that the best resources are district tech coaches and fellow teachers who are already successfully using technology. A few helpful tips from the experts: TA K E I T S LOW: Don't try to do everything at once. The amount of educational technology on the market is overwhelming. Focus on learning a specific app or tool and how to inte- grate it across content. Implementation is everything. O N E AT A T I M E: It's easy to want to try the newest app or implement new gadgetry in the classroom after reading about it on an EdTech blog. Don't get caught up with being a first- adopter. Sharpen skills and integration on one or two new things at a time and do them well. L E A R N I N G F I R ST, T E C H N O LO GY S E CO N D: All technology needs to be content-driven. Focus on educational goals and how the tech tool will help reach them. B E C H O O SY: Not every tech tool has enough benefits to merit space and time in your class- room. Take time to learn the value-added of new technology and potential drawbacks. U S E O N L I N E R E S O U R C E S: Resources abound (see page 25) on what educators are doing with technology, which can help inspire new approaches. Follow EdTech coaches on social media, identify blogs and podcasts that pro- vide useful information, and join online forums to discuss new tools and techniques or tips on integrating technology. C TA H AS YO U R BAC K: Look to your union for a variety of EdTech training opportunities in person and online. And keep an eye on CTA conferences like the Good Teaching Confer- ence for workshops on the latest and greatest in educational technology. D O N' T B E A F R A I D TO FA I L: It's scary to not be the expert when in front of the classroom, but EdTech offers opportunities for learning moments for educators. Show students how to react to setback, and don't be afraid to let them be the teacher when it comes to tech. Best EdTech Practices " It's really fascinating to see the creative capabilities our students have — all we need to do is allow them to create." — Kristin Bowling, Enterprise Elementary Teachers Association 23 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 019