Technology Can't Be An Afterthought

When I was in graduate school learning how to be a teacher, we had to add technology to every lesson plan.  When I started my first year of teaching in 2006, I tried to keep up with that practice, but I started resenting it.  I am embarrassed to say that I actually put that I would use a cd player as technology in my lesson plan and I felt satisfied with that.  I think one of the reasons I resented having to "work in" technology into my lessons is because there were so many hoops to jump through to get to technology, not to mention that I barely knew the ropes at my new school/job and so it all just shut me down.  You had to reserve the computer lab.  You had to check out the Document Reader from the library.  You had to make sure the projector had all the cords...nevermind actually teaching some content.  Now, technology is not just devices or tools.  It's the Internet!  And students already know how to use it, so it makes sense to work it into a lesson plan.  It should be natural at this point and not an afterthought. 

I love the idea from "The Networked Student" video of the teacher being a Learning Architect. To me this goes hand in hand with the concept of "customized education" mentioned by the authors in Web 2.0. Students know how they like to learn and where they like to go to find information. For example, in my classroom today we were watching a film that coincided with a book we had just read and a student asked if he could look up facts or trivia about the film and share them with the class as we watched the movie. The first time he asked if he could do this I told him, "No." I assumed he just wanted to get out of watching the movie. Then, today as we were finishing up the movie, I gave him permission to use his phone to look up facts and share them with the class.  He was more engaged and not disruptive at all. The facts he shared were interesting and facilitated great conversation about the film and the literature. Another interesting fact is that he was not the only student who liked to do this activity while watching movies. At least three other students also shared facts once they knew I was okay with it. They all had their own devices and had access to the Internet. I think the biggest issue that Web 2.0 starts out with in chapter 2 is that schools must provide better access to the Internet if not also devices. As a Learning Architect, I must connect students with Web 2.0 resources and they in turn can connect with other students to collaborate and pursue higher-level learning. I think we start with access and new methods of learning in order to meet the standards of education.

 As a first year teacher, study what technology can bring to your classroom.  Look at it as a way to engage your students not an extra headache you have to survive.