How we've grown...

So many teachers in this initiative are really worried about what they'll do when they encounter a technology issue they just don't know how to resolve. It may be one of the biggest deterrants to integrating technology. That program looks great but I can't use it. I don't know enough about it and I don't have time to learn it! What would I do if something went wrong? Well, this week was a first for my teammate as he tackled this very problem.. We discussed a lesson plan and it involved a couple of technology elements he wasn't very familiar with - using the integrated camera and giving the students the option of using some software of their choice including Google Presentations and PhotoStory. He balked initially and said he wouldn't know how to help the students if they needed help. I encouraged him and assured him our students were all familiar with the integrated camera and if they wanted or needed help with the software presentation programs, there would no doubt be a peer that could help them. So always a trooper, optimistic and positive, this teacher did what was once considered the unthinkable and went into his classroom knowing he knew less than the students but ready to trust them, the program and the gradual change in education that is beginning to encompass our school. .....And it worked great! He was soaring at the end of the day. The students took off with the assignment, needing him for little technical instruction so he was able to focus entirely on the lesson objectives instead and concentrate his technical instruction to just a few kids who needed it. To be cliche - it was a small step in terms of what was accomplished but a giant leap in terms of teaching methodology.

So what do you think? Would you walk into a classroom trusting that your kids could take the assignment and run even if you didn't know the ins and outs of it? What would you do if the lesson flopped because no one knew how to execute the instructions after all? Would you have a back-up? Do you think you'd really need it? What does a back up mean - making two lesson plans (krikees)? I think I know how I'd answer these questions - but I'd love to hear from others what there thoughts would be...