Archive for the 'Implementation' Category

It’s not the technology but the teaching

Published July 5, 2007 Curriculum , Implementation , Instruction , Power Point , PowerPoint , Teacher , technology , Transform Leave a Comment

PowerPointUse

Technology is neutral.

I’ve seen two teachers in the same subject area on the same topic use PowerPoint very differently. One used it to display the outline about the topic. The other used is to present contrasting images about the topic for the students to analyze.

Technology does not magically transform the teaching learning process. A change in the teacher does.

Sometimes teachers see a new technology such as the Smartboard and they use it the same way as they did a chalkboard, they write on it. Sometimes when teachers see how a technology can be used, they accept the change in their teaching. A teacher who sees a Smartboard demonstration may then want her students to manipulate math shapes on the Smartboard.

How technology supports our school academic priorities will not change until we change how teachers use technology. How do you use technology? How has your teaching changed due to using technology?

© Harry Grover Tuttle, 2007

Use Teacher Leaders To Maximize Technology Integration

Published April 30, 2007 Implementation , Leaders , Teacher , technology , technology integration 2 Comments

light bulb

This year I have spent time working in a school district as part of my university duties. I have realized that there are teacher leaders and there are respected teachers. There are teachers who are well respected for what they do in their classes but they have very little influence on other teachers. There are teacher leaders who informally have much much influence in the school. Being an outside to the district, it has been hard to know who is whom.

I worked with many respected teachers but these teachers did not serve as central expansion into their grade level, team, or school. Although they did fantastic technology-based learning projects with their students, the word never got out. Their brilliant learning lights were hidden behind the doors of their classrooms.
I did work with a few teacher leaders. As soon as they found out about a great technology integration application, they would tell others or bring them in to see it. The other teachers would follow the lead of the teacher.

If you are in a school, identify those teacher leaders and concentrate on them. They can become the biggest advocates for integrating technology. They can create meaningful ripples throughout the building. If you have a respected teacher who is also a teacher leader, then help that person’s light to shine brightly throughout the school.

© Harry Grover Tuttle, 2007

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