It's not (so much) about the Technology as it is about Teaching

Overwhelmed, exhausted, overloaded.  These all adjectives that can be associated with new implementations in a school building.  Whether it's text books, curriculum, behavior plans, policies, or technology, educators often become unenthusiastic because of how we view these implementations.  Some are strict where teachers don't have a lot of leeway as to how they take on the new plan, but others are a little more lenient.  Technology happens to be an intimidating tool.  We try so hard to use it, but some of us just don't know how.  Some of us feel we don't have the time, and some of us just feel we have to use it all the time to be successful implementers.  I am here to alleviate that stress with this simple post about how we need to start viewing technology in education.

Technology is a tool not a replacement.  Have you ever tried to fix something, pick up a tool only to find that it's working but the task could be completed faster with a different tool?  Same thing with technology, only use it if it works.  Odd statement, because honestly technology doesn't always work but think about this way: If you seriously can't use technology for an activity then don't.  We don't use textbooks for everything we do, we use them as a tool and supplement to help us, same thing with computers, smart boards, iPads, etc.

Build your lessons without technology and then think of ways to use it in your lesson.  I like my students to journal, and sure I could have them take out a notebook and pen and do this the traditional way, but how boring does that get.  So I say to myself, "I want my students to journal, how can I include technology?"  So I brainstorm and think about what I want the kids to understand and I think of ways to build and foster enjoyment, why not use twitter, pinterest, linoit, blogger, or any other online outlet.  I created my lesson and added in technology later.  Practice this with anything, and don't be disappointed if you can't think of anything sometimes "old-fashioned" works just fine.  I still have my students create poster boards, and handwrite it doesn't make me a bad teacher or make it a bad lesson, it makes me flexible.

Don't become reliant on technology.  As stated above, sometimes it just doesn't work and the faster you come to terms with this the better off you will be.  Sometimes websites crash, go through strange updates, or anything that prevents your students from working.  Sometimes our lessons don't go as planned either.  Don't give up on technology because of this.  Remember when your first lesson crashed, did you give up on yourself?  No you didn't (hopefully).

Embrace the change.  Technology is advancing way faster than you can imagine.  Futuristic technologies are already here.  Suck it up and deal with it.  Better yet be excited to be living in an era where this change is transforming how we teach our students.  It's an awesome (excuse my overused adjective) time to be a teacher or in education in general.  The students use it and we need to stop pretending it's a fad.  Teach how to use it, set expectations, and the students will rise to those expectations.  Don't fear change, don't hide from change, take it full force and become and agent of change.