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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Workshops
I think in one of my last blogs (or someone else's) we talked about getting teachers interested in using different technologies by having some kind of workshop for school buildings. These workshops could include how to use technology & also how to use it effectively in your classroom. Last week, the technology coordinator in my building sent out an email asking teachers to sign up for Smart Board training. Only THREE people responded!! It was myself, another 1st grade teacher, and a 2nd grade teacher. This was just crazy to me. I know that we only have 2 Smart Boards in our building, but they are portable. I guess I don't understand why teachers wouldn't want to at least attend a workshop to see what the Smart Board can do & then decide if they're interested in using it in their classroom. Maybe teachers think that whatever they're doing in their classrooms now is working for them, so why change it? I don't know what exactly the mindset is, but I now think that instead of only offering workshops for technology, they should be required! I don't really like the idea of forcing technology on teachers, but I want them to at least see and know what technology can do in their classroom. Most importantly, they should learn how it can greatly benefit the students. Hopefully when I find out more details about this training/workshop, I will be able to recruit more of my colleagues!
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First of all I completely understand the disappointment and frustration of only three of you signing up for the training session. However, I am not surprised there were that few. In the time of Common Core, Instructional Decision Making, Professional Learning Communities, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports etc. Educators feel now as much as ever that it is pile one more thing on me and see what has to give. I have my endorsement for Administration and I often try to take the view of the administrator. What would I do differently? The most important thing is trying to get educators to see a lot of what they are being asked to do they already do it in their day. Help them figure out what am I already doing and how will this fit in? Instead most of the time it is not presented with any kind of excitement and with the attitude I have to present this it's my job. I was fortunate enough to work with an administrator who believed and knew why they did so when they presented any new idea or training and it was always intruiging to think I could be part of that and how would it better our classroom and students. I am so glad as a teacher I decided to really step out of my comfort zone and take the class at Iowa State. I might have been one of those people who did not sign up because it truly scared me to death. I have visited different schools and the things you can do with and through technology now is amazing. So I guess what I am saying is people that are already fearful certainly are not going to step out on the branch when it is optional. Hopefully your positive attitude will carry over to colleagues and they will sign up and join in.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to hear that so few wanted to participate in the workshop. I remember when I was at my student teaching placement a lot of the teachers would complain when they had to do another workshop. I don't know if it's because I'm new to teaching, but I want to attend a lot of workshops. I feel that I would benefit greatly from them. Another alternate to a workshop that would allow for teachers to possibly see the benefit of using a smart board is a walk through. At one of my placements the teachers spent the day observing other classrooms. They looked at a variety of different things. This could be a way to get teachers to observe the possibilities of a smart board. A downfall of this is that teachers still complained, and the school had to hire subs for their classrooms. It's funny that you wrote about this. I was at home this weekend and my aunt and I were discussing smart boards. She mentioned how she used her smart board for everything. She said it was just so convenient and easy to use, and that she was shocked by how many teachers didn't use them. I wish I knew why teachers wouldn't want to use a smart board. I think it's such a neat technology!
ReplyDeleteWow, only three teachers? On the one hand though, I do understand the apprehension on the teachers' side. Perhaps Jo explained it best, perhaps teachers just do not know that technology will save them time, will make their teaching (in many cases) easier and will actually engage the 21st century learner. On the other hand, I become so dissapointed, why do teachers, the very people that advocate learning, refuse to stretch themselves, challenge themselves and learn? Do we just become content with 'what I know, is more than I will ever use', or 'I know all I need to know', that we just get caught up with the daily routines of being a teacher? I know teaching is hard work and that the day really does not have enough hours, but I still feel that you should consider taking a loooong vacation to re-find your passion for learning or reconsider your chosen profession, if you are unwilling to adapt, change, grow. perhaps I am being too harsh on our colleagues? If I am, I do apologize, no judgement intended, this is just my motivational speech:)
ReplyDeleteYour post certainly triggered a lot of thought from all of us who read it. Nice job everyone in joining in on this discussion! I think you bring up a great topic and all who responding offered a great perspective. Let me provide mine as I think all are on the right track.
ReplyDeleteI love your enthusiasm for teaching and helping students learn with new technology tools. It is teachers like you who we need to help model using these new technologies in classrooms. You want to try, so that is half the battle. What we do know is that typically workshops are not very successful in school settings. Can you believe that? That's all we do for teachers and really in the end they do little to impact what happens in my classroom. I want you to think about your scenario--- two portable SmartBoards....
If that technology is not in my classroom - why should I take the time to learn about it? It's a hassle signing up for it, moving it into my classroom and then setting it up. You are motivated to use it, you know what can be done with it, but most do not. So, go for it! Learn how to use it and then use it. That will be the best "workshop" that can happen because your colleagues will see and notice what you are doing very quickly. That's the "hook" they need. They need someone who can illustrate how beneficial that technology tool can be in the classroom....
Let us know what happens...