Approach To Integrating Technology

Watch Before Reading.

Some view this as funny (I did), but I immediately thought,

"This represents different perspectives of teachers and integrating technology into the classroom."

The father represents teachers who may not feel comfortable integrating technology tools into their classroom.  They know it may be the right thing to do (Dad knew it was the right thing to accompany his daughter on this ride), but their not at all comfortable.  Honestly, I wasn't that comfortable in 2008 when I started, but attended the TIES conference in Minneapolis and realized 3,000 other educators moved me to start and thrive using these tools.

The daughter represents the teachers who know that technology can be the tool that thrills the learner to become self-motivated, creative, and collaborative.  They smile from ear to ear when a new tech tool is introduced to them, they find a useful and appropriate way to integrate it into their content, and successfully do so with students.

Ironically, the dad got a taste of the thrill of the ride.  He had a choice of getting off for the second ride and chose not to.  Awesome!  It is the responsibility of all educators, not just library media specialists or technology integration specialists to introduce the first initial ride.  The ride of the tech tool that enhances a lesson because the process was well planned out and all things went smoothly.

The teachers who are like the little girl who loved the ride or loved incorporating technology can be the biggest motivator for continuing the process.  Get those teachers to share via blogging, Twitter, or YouTube the wonderful successes that can happen.

If these two types of people can work together, then everyone becomes like the ride.  Constantly, enabling teachers on both ends of the spectrum to feel safe and secure while experiencing the thrill of integrating technology into any lesson.

Blog vs. Site For Digital Teacher Presence

Teachers are starting to inquire about which tech tool may be better for their classroom presence.  After a thirty minute session with two outstanding teachers, I decided that a blog post detailing blogs and sites would be appropriate!

Two happy clients on their way to having a classroom digital presence.

• If you don't have time to read the entire post, take this:  blogs are updated always, and sites are static.  You may also need to create a new blog each year!

Google Blog Positives

• Updated information always at the top of the website.
• Labeling as a use of categorizing
• Embed YouTube videos
• Embed Google calendars
• Embed Gadgets
• Embed Pictures
• Links to anywhere on the web
• Create pages
• Multiple layouts, designs, templates 
• Shorter URLs (web addresses-your address(.)blogspot.com
• Searchable by Google 
• Can leave comments to blog posts
• Archiving of blog entries
• Can create pages, but cannot have blog posts on these pages
• Multiple authors (great for collaborating with other teachers)

Google Site Positives

• Static
• Insert a wide variety of tools (see below)

• Create pages
• Updated announcements (similar to blog posts) can be placed on a page, but cannot be organized or labeled
• Pages can have an area for comments to be placed, usually on the bottom
• Can upload files in numerous formats (could be useful for previously created documents in Word)
• Protect certain pages for viewing by a select group
• Templates available, but not as many as blogger
• Multiple authors (great for collaborating with other teachers)

Articles from other sources that may help you decide.

• Google Sites - in depth professional development site I created in 2011 for our school district. View It
• Fantastic article outlining the differences: Blog vs. Site
• Blogs vs. Sites What's the difference?
• Should I start a blog or a site? Good Question
• Blog vs. Site Where should I start?

Bottom Line:
Both are great!  You decide!  Either way, your students and parents will be provided with great resources from your classroom!

Are They Clients?

My role in our district will be changing as of the 2012-2013 school year.  I will be a technology integration specialist.  I will be a resource for teachers and their ideas of using technology tools in the classroom.  I have been pondering whether I can call the teachers in our district that I will be working with "clients".

Clients?

Client(s): a person or group of people receiving the service or professional advice from a source DEFINE

Am I that?  I professional advice person, a service?  I think so.  My vision is for teachers in our district to provide their content and their idea for implementing technology as a tool to accomplish a task relating to the content.  I am the professional advice.   The person who can take their "big idea" and provide specifics.  Specific technology tools to accomplish their goal.  My whole focus will be to make the teacher's job of implementing technology as easy and painless as possible.

As @followmolly would say:  "I am not trying to change the content being taught.  I am trying to change the way the content is being taught."

Classroom teachers want to use technology but don't always know the best tool to use.  Since it is my passion to continue to "fill the tech toolbox" as @kmtitler likes to say, I will provide teachers details of technology tools that can be used.  I will co teach a lesson with them.  They deliver the content, I help instruct the details of the tech device.  Maybe I create a tutorial of the tech device for the teacher to view and they teach it.  Whatever the teacher (client) wants,  I will help in whatever way I can.

In order to do this, I have begun the process of developing a Google form that will allow any district staff to complete in order to receive help.  

See the questions to be used on the form!

Client?  Yes, client.  Me: professional person, helping teachers integrate and implement technology tools.