Tech-Reluctant Buy-In

I read an article on "Ten Ways to Change the Minds of Tech-Reluctant Staff," and found one piece that is imperative in technology implementation, staff development that is designed specifically for the interests of the classroom instruction.

We must make sure that staff development, especially on new concepts that many of seasoned teachers who have little experience, need to see how their learning will impact them in their classrooms and have a positive impact on their students.  After initial introduction to the new technology, there needs to be multiple follow up sessions.

Learning occurs for adults in the same way it does with children. Adults are in need of more support or practice with new knowledge and information at a higher rate than children, and often time, teachers are told new information once and expected to have retrieved it, understand it, and then apply it without further instruction.  When this happens, frustration surfaces and this is when the the fight against the system begins.  So we must be understanding and provide the time for reinforcement if effective instruction is going to result from the new practice.

Weekend 2 Takeaway

Getting the opportunity to visit Urbandale Middle School was a great learning experience. I really liked the collaboration activity that Lara had us do with the change in the master schedule and the preparation for building construction.  

It really opened my eyes to the complexity of the issues and factors that arise when dealing with these two situations. I learned so much from the dialogue that occurred between my peers who all come from different circumstances and positions.  The activity also emphasized the importance of a strong, collaborative team whose variety of experiences bring a certain expertise to the table that you can not do without.  

The time spent with both associate principals was very beneficial for me as they provided practical information for us to take along with us to our first leadership position.  It was good that the two leaders came with us from a public school and the other from a parochial background.  This difference allowed a variety of questions to surface in discussion that would not have otherwise.  

Having studied the blue print and being able to build a better foundation of understanding of the steps Iowa's Education path may be taking in the future, was very helpful in Jason's visit this time around. I felt more more confident and having the ability to ask him thought-provoking questions than the first visit he paid us in Supervision.  I thought he did a fine job in answering the majority of our questions that satisfied our inquiry for the time being. I know that this is just the beginning but I feel lucky to have gotten the chance to have a dialogue conversation in sharing our celebrations and concerns with the future of Iowa's education.

Weekend Takeaway

I appreciate Buckmiller inviting Jerrid and Darren to speak with us today. It was interesting to hear the voices that had different tones in their beliefs of technology implementation within the classroom. I believe there is a place for technology in the classroom, it needs to be implemented at the right time and appropriately. Technology should be utilized to further student thinking in the highest forms. It should not be used in the classroom just to say we are using technology. And that is where I have to agree with Jerrid that there needs to be a balance in utilizing these tools, and we must not forget the pencil and paper are NOT antique technology devices.

Yesterday's Learning

    I am personally excited about using the blog and twitter as tools to further my learning.  They open the door for the sharing of ideas and thought-provoking dialogue.  Twitter lets me see the thoughts and questions of other expert leaders and gives everyone a voice.  My desire to learn through the experiences of others is able to happen using these tools. So thank you Tom for providing these new experiences.