Educational technology tools are everywhere and expectations for using them for teaching and learning are constantly increasing. Furthermore, as new educational technologies are developed and ai While technology remains integrated into existing teaching tools, the requirement to learn how to use them can limit instructional time. Additionally, as school district administration changes and new leaders are appointed at the building level, different tools are introduced for all teachers, including veterans who are experts in our pedagogical practices but may not have as much experience or flexibility in teaching with technology.
Novice teachers are likely to have completed courses in their teacher education programs that have prepared them to use technology for planning, teaching, engagement, and assessment, and have had time to experiment with educational technology tools. Unfortunately, some veteran teachers may not have had similar opportunities, as they likely completed their teacher education before educational technology integration was included or required in teacher preparation programs.
Below are three ways veteran educators can develop their fluency and understanding of how to use the new technology tools they are presented with without formal instruction or professional development.
<h2 id="1-getting-comfortable-with-classroom-tech-learn-with-your-students-3″>1. How to get familiar with technology in the classroom: learn with your students
While it is not certain that your students (digital natives) will automatically have strong digital literacy skills without prior instruction and development of those skills, they will likely feel comfortable experimenting with new tools and figuring out how to use them.
Instead of struggling alone or deciding to forgo using new and exciting technology platforms, create a collaborative space for your students to contribute to their learning. You can turn your own training into an opportunity for students to develop agency, gain practical experience, and continue their own learning. Students will also see that you are a human being who makes mistakes, takes risks, and isn’t afraid to use your community for support.
By learning with your students and allowing them to lead in this way, they may feel more valued and will be encouraged to approach you when they are stuck, rather than saying nothing.
2. Watch YouTube videos
YouTube has millions of videos of all kinds, from music and webinars to TV shows and movies, and even people unboxing! It offers something for everyone, which means there are also hundreds of thousands of tutorial videos on just about every tech tool available.
While many of the videos may be general overviews of educational technology tools, such as in tech & Learning YouTube ChannelThere are many videos that provide nuanced details on almost every component of using the tool. For example, imagine your school district has a Questionnaire License and encourage you to use it for your instruction. You can go to YouTube and type in “How to use Quizizz” and several videos will come up available, such as “How do teachers use Quizizz?”, “How to use Quizizz: Complete tutorial for teachers!”, and “How to use Quizizz to create and share quizzes?”. It may be helpful to play the video on a separate screen or an alternate device, such as a tablet, so that you can work on your computer while you set up Quizizz.
And remember, with YouTube videos you can pause, rewind, slow down or speed up the speaker's voice, all as needed.
edtech tool developers have often included community spaces on their websites or within the platform so that users can connect and share resources.
Not all community spaces are created equal, though you'll typically find them under the resources tab. Within these pages, there may be a forum for posting and receiving messages from other users, blogs sharing how the technology tool can be used and even some challenges, sample lesson plans, video tutorials focusing on different components of the tool, and feedback surveys.
As you try out different tools, visit their websites and locate the community space, if applicable, and resources available to you. This can be helpful and reinforce your fluency.
Beyond the community spaces offered by the websites of the technology tool you are learning, you can also connect with your own networks, other teachers, and technology coaches.
It can be daunting to use new technological tools, but we hope that the ideas shared above can be helpful to you as you will no doubt be introduced to new technological tools as you continue your teaching career.
Related:
