A quote I found has really made me think about where we are going on my campus.
"We must move beyond the implementation phase of change when
new ideas and practices are tried for the first time, to the
institutionalization phase when new practices are integrated
effortlessly into teachers' repertoires. This holds true for leaders as
well and might ultimately be more important for sustainable change."
--Anderson and Stiegelbauer
(1994)
We have come a long way at Irma Marsh. I'm excited about how we have learned to utilize technology applications over the last year. With our 1-to-1 moving to both 7th and 8th grades this year, we have an even greater urgency to not only learn about new tools and applications, but implement our technology resources seamlessly into lessons. Rather than technology being "something else to plan", we need to move to the mindset that technology resources should be used to support the curriculum at the intended rigor of the TEKS. When our 21st century learners are engaged in the work provided to them, great things will happen! Let's do this!
I'm excited about our continued journey this year!
Using technology should become second nature. This occurs with practice. Sometimes we have failures, this is what we learn from as we build our lessons. Practice, Practice, Practice.
ReplyDeleteI've heard many teachers say that they don't have time to plan and tech technology. They don't have to; the students already use it before and after school. I agree with you, we need to teach the content, and use the technology as a medium to enhance student learning.
ReplyDeleteHope, I love your quote. Great ideas are really only great when they move to action. It is so easy to get excited about something new but the follow through is the tough part. I loved having the 1:1 netbooks in my room. So I am totally on board and excited to support that on your campus.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote! It has been a couple of trans-formative years in CISD with the use of technology from a teaching tool to a students learning tool.
ReplyDeleteWell said! The expansion of 1-1 netbooks is so exciting.
ReplyDeleteWe have come leaps and bounds as far as equipping our teachers and students with the equipment they need to learn the 21st century Skills. Now we have the task of moving our teachers to seamless integration. I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine that teaches high school math. She explained to me that her 12 year old son does not rely on her to get answers for his questions. When he wants to know something, he goes to the computer or iPad and Googles his question. She said she was concerned that she was not allowing the students in classroom to do the same thing! She knew that it is important to become the facilitator in her classroom, but she said it is so hard to let go.
ReplyDeleteMany teachers feel this same way. As a resource on your campus this next year, I hope to help move classrooms at IMMS so that technology is a seamless tool and not "something else"!
Your positivity really stands out in this blog. Your staff will feel your enthusiasm (and your students). You can tell that you are in touch with what is going on at Irma Marsh, I'm so thankful that our 5th graders have a great school to look forward to attending!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote....I will be respectfully "stealing" this from you:)
ReplyDeleteI agree that in a year our district has come leaps and bounds. We must now move from the implementation phase but also ensure our new and/or non-tech savvy teachers are not left behind. As we do with our students, we must meet our staff where they are and provide opportunities for individual growth. We must continue to celebrate our successes.
Seamless implementation is possible. The kids instinctively pick up on the "how to" of technology. Where the main issue seems to be is the fine line between just integrating tech as a tool rather than fully infusing as an integral part of collaboration and communication.
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