Our school is well on the way to having one device for every student from fifth grade on up and one for every two in the lower grades. The device of choice is the iPad for us. This rapid onslaught of equipment has been met with mixed emotions all around. I thought I might jot down a few ideas as a reminder for us and a warning to others considering the same path.
1. Good teaching is always going to be good teaching. When students are actively engaged in the learning process, good teaching is taking place. It doesn't matter to a good teacher what equipment they have available to them, they are going to teach successfully. Good teaching always keeps the individual in mind. Good teaching always falls back the question "What is best for students?" It doesn't matter what the standards are, what equipment is available, or what the socio-economic status is of the student, good teaching can occur. A good teacher will teach despite the circumstances.
2. Bad teaching is always going to be bad teaching. I could take the time to rewrite the previous point with the inverse of each statement, but I think you can probably do that on your own.
3. Money is not the answer to every problem we face in education. It is nice to be able to buy all the newest and best "stuff" but in the end it is still just stuff. If you don't know how it will enhance what you are already doing, then all it will do is collect dust in a corner somewhere. We have enough $400 paperweights already.
4. Change for the sake of change should never be the goal. Whenever you make a change, be sure the goals are clear to those involved. I like to think of change by comparing various watercraft. Small changes that impact a few people are like a small rowboat. Easy to get started, easy to turn around if you end up going in the wrong direction, but also easy to stop with a small anchor, so it doesn't take much to halt progress. Big changes that impact everyone are like a super freight liner. You need a lot of planning and prep to clear the obstacles. Because of the size it takes a substantial amount energy to get moving, change direction, reverse course or stop. To make the big changes, you need to plan ahead and get people on board early. You don't want to be the only one piloting the ship or you will soon run aground.
5. More isn't always better. There are only so many hours in the school day to get everything in. So the addition method is not the best way to introduce something new. Instead, you should use the "new" to replace or enhance what is already being done in the classroom. If all of your students have an email account and access to a computer, should they type out your assignments, print them and turn them in? Why not have them email the document to you or share it using something like Google docs.
6. Good teachers are not afraid to fail. Sounds like a cliché, but it is true. If you go in knowing that sometimes things will not work out as planned, you will be much better off and ready when roadblocks come.
7. The teacher is the expert in the classroom. Even though some students may be better with a particular device, the teacher's sum of experience still makes them the expert in the room. Even if there are students in the room with a higher I.Q. that doesn't negate the expertise of the teacher. If a teacher struggles with something it is ok to admit it, but remind the students that learning never stops and this is an area that learning is occurring for the teacher.
If you are stuck with all this new equipment and don't know what to do, pick one item you are working on and manipulate the assignment in a way that creates less work for you and allows you to use the new equipment. To keep from being frustrated, plan ahead and be ready for possible set backs.
Remember, if you treat the equipment like a toy, the students will, too. If you treat it like pencil, paper and books, some essential tools in learning, the students will respond accordingly.
1. Good teaching is always going to be good teaching. When students are actively engaged in the learning process, good teaching is taking place. It doesn't matter to a good teacher what equipment they have available to them, they are going to teach successfully. Good teaching always keeps the individual in mind. Good teaching always falls back the question "What is best for students?" It doesn't matter what the standards are, what equipment is available, or what the socio-economic status is of the student, good teaching can occur. A good teacher will teach despite the circumstances.
2. Bad teaching is always going to be bad teaching. I could take the time to rewrite the previous point with the inverse of each statement, but I think you can probably do that on your own.
3. Money is not the answer to every problem we face in education. It is nice to be able to buy all the newest and best "stuff" but in the end it is still just stuff. If you don't know how it will enhance what you are already doing, then all it will do is collect dust in a corner somewhere. We have enough $400 paperweights already.
4. Change for the sake of change should never be the goal. Whenever you make a change, be sure the goals are clear to those involved. I like to think of change by comparing various watercraft. Small changes that impact a few people are like a small rowboat. Easy to get started, easy to turn around if you end up going in the wrong direction, but also easy to stop with a small anchor, so it doesn't take much to halt progress. Big changes that impact everyone are like a super freight liner. You need a lot of planning and prep to clear the obstacles. Because of the size it takes a substantial amount energy to get moving, change direction, reverse course or stop. To make the big changes, you need to plan ahead and get people on board early. You don't want to be the only one piloting the ship or you will soon run aground.
5. More isn't always better. There are only so many hours in the school day to get everything in. So the addition method is not the best way to introduce something new. Instead, you should use the "new" to replace or enhance what is already being done in the classroom. If all of your students have an email account and access to a computer, should they type out your assignments, print them and turn them in? Why not have them email the document to you or share it using something like Google docs.
6. Good teachers are not afraid to fail. Sounds like a cliché, but it is true. If you go in knowing that sometimes things will not work out as planned, you will be much better off and ready when roadblocks come.
7. The teacher is the expert in the classroom. Even though some students may be better with a particular device, the teacher's sum of experience still makes them the expert in the room. Even if there are students in the room with a higher I.Q. that doesn't negate the expertise of the teacher. If a teacher struggles with something it is ok to admit it, but remind the students that learning never stops and this is an area that learning is occurring for the teacher.
If you are stuck with all this new equipment and don't know what to do, pick one item you are working on and manipulate the assignment in a way that creates less work for you and allows you to use the new equipment. To keep from being frustrated, plan ahead and be ready for possible set backs.
Remember, if you treat the equipment like a toy, the students will, too. If you treat it like pencil, paper and books, some essential tools in learning, the students will respond accordingly.
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