Technology Training

The technology skills of the teachers and staff at my school are varied, but overall limited. While most of our teachers are younger and up on the current options and tools out there, we work in a school where there is not a huge emphasis put on technology. We are applauded by the administration when it is used, but it is not a big focus of our principal. Teachers use what they are comfortable with, so introduction of new tools is very important. As a faculty, we all use the internet as a teaching tool and Brain Pop is a big favorite of all the teachers right now.  We also just got our first Promethean board in the computer lab this year, so it is catching on slowly but surely. Our media specialist does a good job providing technology training to teacher who are interested. Instead of it being a mandatory staff development, she does an optional technology training at the beginning of each year. It is mandatory for any new teachers to the school, but not for all staff. While I think this is wonderful, you end up seeing the same faces year after year and those tend to be the teachers who are already using the available technology in their classrooms. 


The problem with technology training is much like the problem with any kind of training... no time! Teachers are stretched so thin right now. Our professional learning days have been converted into furlough days, so any kind of training has to be done after school when teachers are tired, talkative, and have other concerns they put before the training. If I were the media specialist at a school like mine, I would suggest a "technology spotlight" at each faculty meeting. This would be a quick introduction to a tool or helpful site. The focus could point out helpful and practical applications in the classroom. If the tools were still not being utilized, I may even offer a small prize (like a jeans pass) for teachers who used the tool in that next week. I know it is hard to break the habits of some teachers, but it may help to expose some staff to the tools and they may end up loving them!


My DO's for technology training:

• Do show the staff how the tool or site will make their job easier or cause them to be more effective.
• Do have all teaching staff attend some sort of training, not just a study group.
• Show your administration the benefits of the technology, you need their support!

My DON'T's for technology training:

• Don't overwhelm the faculty with a lot of new things at one time.
• Don't introduce something geared for a certain grade range to teachers who do not teach that group, no matter how cool the tool.
• Don't shy away from technology training because it is something else added to your overflowing plate, embrace it and make it fun!