This past week the Literacy Leader and I have been starting to plan the professional development coming up this coming week. One of our main topics for the entire year is student engagement. And, of course one of the most common ways to engage students is through the use of technology. Luckily having technology available is not a problem at the school I am at. However, the problem is whether or not the teachers know how to use the technology. So, our job as the Literacy Leader and Literacy Coach is to lead the teachers through training on how to use the available technology with the hope they will carry it over into their classrooms. The first piece of technology we will be showing is the Smartboard. This is slightly overwhelming due to the fact that we have to be sure we know how to use the Smartboard before the training!! While I have used a Smartboard before, I would definitely not call myself an expert. However, I am a firm believer that you have to start somewhere.
As we were working with the Smartboard ourselves, we quickly became aware that the possibilities are endless!! This in itself can sometimes be overwhelming. We began to discuss that if we simply show way after way that the Smartboard can be used in the classroom, the teachers could quickly become overwhelmed and simply decide not to use the technology at all! So, in the end we decided to pick two different ways to use the Smartboard in the training. Then, we are planning to allow the teachers to have a while in their room to try out the two different options. As the teachers are practicing/experimenting we will be walking the halls offering help/suggestions where it is needed. Wish me luck for my first time giving not only a professional development session, but a training on a piece of technology!!
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I think you are right on the money with this one. As a teacher, there are many times that someone presents something new and the thought can be, "I don't have time for that." or "That is too much work." By showing them the simple stuff they should find it manageable and maybe try it themselves. I am exctied to hear how it goes!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the typo there. I meant to say excited.
ReplyDeleteI think that you must be an awesome asset for your school, having someone figure out a new technology, instead of throwing it to the teachers and expecting them to use in the classroom without knowing what it really does. It would be so much easier for teachers to use new technology if they knew basic functions and maybe a few ideas, then from there they can explore and develop new ideas. Awesome, I am excited to hear of what new ways you have to integrate technology and your new position.
ReplyDeletePlease do keep us posted on your PD events! I think you are taking a very good (and safe approach). You want the teachers to think it is easy and not overwhelm them. One suggestion - at your next PD time have teachers share their ideas of how they are using it - let them share how they have expanded their use as they have become more familiar with the technology. Wow! There is so much to do, but you are making a difference!
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