How to Get Teachers Involved with Tech

Some teachers love technologies and find all sorts of wonderful ways to enhance their courses with computers, other digital devices and media. They are constantly learning about new ways to use tech in their teaching and are eager to tell others about their successes. Others are slower to adapt and seem hesitant to get involved with hardware and software given to them for their use. Years ago, after purchasing what I thought was a particularly wonderful (and expensive) software product for my teachers, I learned that every educator wasn’t going be enthusiastic about what I thought was perfect for their classrooms. The expense was a waste of money. From that experience, I learned two things: (1) that as the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Study noted, you have to be patient with teacher adoption of technologies, and (2) you have to work with your teachers to find out what types of technologies will work for them and their preferred methods of teaching. In other words, wait until they are ready, while perhaps giving a little push by discussing with them what technologies they could and couldn’t use. Tech only works in classrooms if teachers want to use it. As for that software that no one used—this year there was a request that we purchase that product—a new version, of course. For more on getting teachers to use technology, see Teaching with Technology.

Comments

[jake hardy]

I am in a class Instructional Technology right now and throughout the class I have learned alot of new technologies that you can even use in a physical education class. Class wiki's, podcasting, blogs, scavenger hunts, and webquests are all great technologies to get the students involved. You have to be creative on how and when you use them. I thought that it would be impossible to use technology in a physical education class, but you can.

[Merle Marsh]

You are right. It's very frustrating, and so many could improve by learning to use tech creatively. It's sad also that some use tech like they did chalkboards and overhead projectors. Keep in mind, however, that there are master teachers who do very well without using technologies.They have their established methods that work, and their students love their classes and do very well academically.

[Colleen Somers]

It is frustrating to work with a team of teachers who are not able or willing to try new ways to integrate technology in the classroom.