My Top 10 Revisited :)

     Hi!  Welcome Back!  I imagine when I read this blog in it's entirety after this class is finished, I will spruce things up a bit and make it look like a proper blog page.  Until then, however, in my very first blog page, I had to post what I thought were the most important things for teachers to know about technology.  I am here to revisit those 10 items to see if they remain true to me...Corrections and opinions to be made are highlighted in blue/green.


1.  Be open minded and be willing to learn and try new things.         
         Still appropriate!

2.  Have a back up plan.  Hey, you're teachers, you probably already have one!
       Yes, we all know those times when technology isn't working.

3.  Use the technology that is available and find out what works for you and your students.
       Hmmmm, if we could only get all the teachers on board to use the           technology we have.  The teachers are not the ones looking for new technologies to use.

4.  Be prepared to learn with your students, even at the elementary level. 
        Be prepared to learn for the rest of your life, with any grade level.  Period.      
5.  Databases are an invaluable research tool; it shouldn't always be a "Google" search.
         Teachers are still wanting the students to get books for research.  Please see #3...use the technology we have! 
 
6.  Group students together to help each other, not everyone starts in the same place.
          Hopefully teachers are using UDL in the classrooms, with technology, scaffolding and RETELL initiative.
 
7.  Have students share what they already know; whether it's websites, databases or social media.
          Still good!
            
8.  Ask "like-minded" colleagues to share how they use technology in their classrooms.
           Even if it is the same 5 people every time. :) I love collaborating with teachers who are going to school, too.  There are lots of good ideas then.

9.  Use the technology you have to better understand the technology you could be using.  For example, you can "Google" how to set up a blog for a class you are taking... :)
            It's funny, teachers will ask someone else how to figure out a tech problem, but don't search the internet for problem solving. 

10.  Keep in good contact with your Librarian and IT department, they are using technology every day and have great suggestions for implementing technology in your classroom. 
        Hopefully this will always be the case! 



      It has been my experience that teachers who teach in middle school or high school are more tech savvy than those who teach in elementary school.  I'm sure it's because the older grades use it more and teachers want to be ahead of the curve.  While elementary students are still learning the basics, newer teachers come from college quite adept at using technology.  It is fascinating to see them using white boards, Apple TV and iPads in their classrooms, instead of the overhead projectors and cassette players.  This, of course, is just my humble opinion.  Thanks for stopping by!