Sometimes I Just Feel Like Blogging

What? Did I say that? I believe I did. I'm home after a Friday at work. There's laundry to do, things to clean, and papers to grade, and I decide I think I'll just do my next blog while eating my oh, so healthy snack of chocolate covered raisins.

Anyway... on to the topic assigned.

How can technology innovations be sustained in schools?

I think this takes several factors.

First, the teachers have to want to utilize the technology in their instruction and have the necessary training to help them be successful using it.

Second, there has to be ongoing professional development to show teachers how to incorporate the technology in their daily instruction, and how they can let their children use it. (Maybe even time with a technology coach to go through the coaching cycle.)

Third, there has to be a time for observation of other teachers using the technology or of another teacher's students using the technology successfully. Maybe this would be a good place for peer coaching! :)

Fourth, there has to be money to replace broken or outdated parts or provide outside p.d. Like if a projector bulb goes out, there's got to be funds for that. Or if the batteries go out in a student response remote. Just a couple of examples.

Fifth, we need to ask teachers what they want. And encourage them to step beyond their comfort zone into the unknown if needed to grow as technology savvy teachers.  We need to ask students what technology tools they'd be interested in learning how to use. 

Lastly, as teachers we've got to have the "want to" to be innovative with our technology use and integration.

I could probably go on because I just now thought about the professional development model that Haley told us about and its effectiveness,  but I've eaten all my raisins and my younger son is hungry so I'm going to sign off for now.

Happy Friday,

Ginger