I would say one of biggest issues with classroom management and technology that I have heard teachers talk about is the emailing and chatting that is going on during class time.  While some teachers are very perceptive to technology and catch on when students are not doing as they are supposed to; others are not.  I feel that no matter what device or set-up a school has, misuse will be a problem.

I really liked the idea of doing strikes with the devices, as was mentioned in the video.  For our school, this could be an easy method to implement and could be tracked on our Student Data Program, Harmony.  Students need to understand that there are consequences for misuse of the technology, and need to be held accountable.  A student emailing back and forth with another student 78 times in two hours, as I was made aware of this morning, should not be happening.

At the same time, while students SHOULD know what to do and how to stay focused on technology, it is ultimately the teacher's responsibility to make sure that the students are engaged.  Students should understand the lesson's importance and the classroom should be structured enough that the ability to wander off task is non existent.  This is not an easy task to compete.  A teacher should be able to follow the same methods, with or without the technology.

What are the top three things to communicate when introducing the concept of technology integration to stakeholders? You can think of this as your learning objectives when preparing a presentation, website, article, etc. In other words, what three things must your audience understand in order to be fully supportive of the school's mission to integrate technology?

When presenting a new technology program to community and school stakeholders, there are a couple of items that must be included.  The information that is provided to the stakeholders and the way in which it is received can have a huge impact on the initial success of a device rollout or implementation.

The first speaking point for this meeting would be a breakdown of the cost of the device, the insurance, the cases, and anything else that may potentially cost the student or family money.  One thing I have learned very quickly in our device rollout is that this matters a great deal to all involved.  From a school's standpoint, they need to make sure that everything is covered and accounted for financially.  From a family standpoint, that family must have a clear understanding of what is included in the insurance policy and what happens if something is not covered by the insurance.  The bottom line is that the devices will break and everyone needs to know what the cost of repair will be.

The next point of discussion should be the proper use of the device and what it can do, technologically speaking.  Most parents and stakeholders will not understand a hugely technical description of the device.  The information needs to be presented in a way that is easy for the general population to understand and comprehend.  Many students that I have dealt with have parents that do not understand the vast space that is the internet and technology.  It is the school's duty to help them understand.

The final piece of the presentation should include information on what the parent and student can expect a classroom to look like with the device in hand.  The look and feel of a classroom will change dramatically with the inclusion of a technological device.  It is important that the stakeholders understand that the kids won't be playing games and getting on Facebook all day long.  By showing some of the educational processes and tools that are available on the device, the stakeholders will understand the importance.

All change in education requires time.  Sometimes, due to funding limitations, testing procedures and requirements, and other issues a change in procedures can have some hiccups.  WIth patience and proper continuing education, success is possible.

Technology in my Life

Technology is something I would have a hard time going without in my personal life.  From my iPhone, to my Chromebook, to my Netflix subscription, technology is a big part of my life.  When I actually sit and think about this simple fact, it seems a bit crazy to me how dependent I have become on modern technology.  At the age of 30, I can remember getting my cell phone during my senior year of high school, nearly 13 years ago.  How crazy is it that in 13 years I went from a cell phone that would only work in places that were indicated on the fold out map to a world with a seemingly endless supply of technology.

As I prepare for Christmas shopping, specifically for my 3 and 5 year old, technology shows up again.   They are both interested in the Nabi tablets (any insights on those would be great!) for Christmas this year.  When I think about those tablets, and others like them, I know that my kids shouldn't be so dependent upon technology for entertainment.  At the same time, though, I am dependent on my technology.  They will grow up in a world where they will depend on technology even more so than I currently do.

As for my professional life, my current job would not fully exist without the existence of technology.  Although I am housed in the school library, I would say that 5% of my day deals with library books and duties.  The other 95% is spent with technology, specifically our 1:1 device, Chromebooks.  I cannot imagine all the conveniences of a school setting in 2013 compared to that whenever I was in school or before.  

While I see the benefits of technology in education and my personal life, I do think that some adjustments would benefit our society.  The main one of these would be the need to maintain personal relationships and communication outside of the internet and technology realm.  I think that students (and staff for that matter) need to be reminded of the importance of face to face communication and feedback.  

For example, our 7th and 8th grade students are selling items for a fundraiser for a trip to Washington, DC.  One student emailed our entire staff to buy from her to support her trip.  I'm not sure that any staff member bought from this student.  She had to be told that her methods of selling weren't the most effective and that a personal approach may have been better.  Sure, it was easier to just send out an email, but did it yield the results she wanted?

Technology is something that is something that is becoming a part of who we all are.  It defines how many of us function on a day to day basis and communicate with those around us. I can't imagine where technology will be in another 13 years.  Will there be as many gains as there have been since I got my first cell phone in 2000?