Barbara shares the following advice for those working to integrate technology in their classrooms:
1. Teachers need leaders.
It's important that people have others who will show them the possibilities and also the expectations.
2. Teachers need a vision.
And "vision" doesn't mean a blue-sky picture of using technology because "it's cool." Instead, teachers need to know the teaching and learning outcomes up front.
3. You need to build systems that support the use of
technology.
Part of these systems is the recognition that things take time, and schedules need to be created that allow for that time. There might need to be recognition that some things will need to be let go. "We used to keep a daily journal for each child, now we don't because there isn't enough time."
4. Don't forget logistics.
Barbara explains how she and her faculty needed a system for sharing computers. They created a schedule, and these small details can go a long way toward smooth technology integration.
5. Ask other people.
Just as Barbara's students cultivate a disposition toward documenting by learning to collaborate and ask other people, so too you will learn that ease the transition into using new tools by working and sharing with others.
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