6 Ways New Teachers Can Start Using Tech Tools

4/22/2014

Author: Catelyn Cantrell

As a teacher-in-training, I’m starting to put together my own strategies for becoming a tech-savvy educator. Digital tools afford educators with chances to connect with new ideas and other teachers. These virtual connections yield new learning opportunities for students and exciting professional development opportunities for new teachers. In this post, I cover 6 ways that new teachers like myself can begin using technology tools.

1 | Develop a Digital Presence

Recently, I began using Twitter, despite having been a skeptic for a long time. As it turns out, the social media site is a great source of news and ideas for educators. Moreover, it has also connected me with both teachers and EdTech startups. Plus, the regular #EdTech chats are an excellent way to stay connected and informed.

2 | Building Connections

In our modern digital age, there is now an unprecedented potential for discussion and collaboration between educators. This potential flows through the wide array of social networks and blog communities available to teachers. By taking advantage of this potential, not only can you practice explaining what you are doing in your classroom, you will also learn about the strategies other teachers are using.

Although praising the connectivity made possible via the internet may seem trite, it truly is a game-changer for educators open to capitalizing on it.

3 | Digital Texts

We might not be ready to completely replace print materials and textbooks, but teachers can definitely start using some digital texts in their classrooms. Aside from lower costs, there are a multitude of other advantages that come with using digital texts. For example, digital texts make it possible for all students to be working with the same edition of a text. This is particularly helpful when teaching a translated text.

Moreover, some digital texts are starting to incorporate more interactive elements. Increased interactivity provides students with not only access to the material, but also the chance to practice and apply what they have learned.

4 | Google Apps for Education

Something I’m particularly excited about looking more into are Google’s Apps for Education. These apps enable students to connect with material, digital workspaces, and fellow learners all within a recognizable, intuitive platform. I’m excited to use these tools to help promote collaboration. As a bonus, there is also the potential to become a Google Certified Teacher, which demonstrates how the use of EdTech can benefit teachers and students alike.

5 | Badges and Micro-Credentialing

Professional Development can now be done on a more individual and continual basis. Through micro-credentialing, teachers can chose which specific skills and tools they wish to develop. Moreover, many badges require teachers to prove that they implemented the tools in the program. Teachers can build their skills through their time in the classroom, not just outside of it.

6 | Student Suggestions

Ultimately, it’s about the students. Including technology in the classroom is a learning experience for educators and it also should be for students as well. Furthermore, as students are arriving to school more digitally fluent than ever, we ought to be even more open to their ideas and recommendations. After all, they may point us to tools we have never even heard or thought about before.

Personally, I’m just beginning to wade into these waters, so any other ideas from other educators are welcome. Feel free to let me know your suggestions in the comments or you connect with me on Twitter!

3 Comments

Kimberly Pruitt

4/22/2014 11:57:25 am

Hey Catelyn, I just enjoyed reading your article. I have a question. The last picture shows young children. I was wandering if you knew what age. If I had to guess they look like the four to six range. I have been a pre-k teacher for 14 years and what we are seeing as teachers is a generation of children that already have tech skills but lack the ability to focus or lets say calm there brains down to be able to sit and listen to a story. It is like there minds are constantly running like motors and they cannot calm them down . They are also lacking fine motor skills, gross motor and the ability play and use their imaginations and be social with one another. The birth through preschool years are some of the most important years that they need to be able to develop the above areas first. I have children in my classroom that spend hours on computers, tablets, phones etc. I am all for technology because I believe it is what the future will hold. But, I want parents and educators to know that it has to be in balance so we can allow the preschoolers to be able to develop to be well rounded in all areas. Just food for thought. I believe technology can come more in the elementary years after certain milestones have been developed. I like small does of technology for preschoolers. Just some insight from a pre-k teacher. However, I am loving reading all of your articles. They are making me think.

Mike Karlin

4/22/2014 09:49:00 pm

Hi Kimberly!

That was me who picked the photos for the piece (for the last one I was just looking for a good picture of students with technology that was labeled for reuse), but you bring up some absolutely excellent points. I definitely agree that developmental milestones should be of much, much greater focus than technology skills, particularly at young ages. Well said, and thanks for reading!!

Mike

Catelyn Cantrell

4/22/2014 11:38:11 pm

Hi Kim!

I tried to gear this post towards teachers of older students, but your point is still excellent--and helpful. Moreover, it is clear from your comments that teachers of the youngest students can take something away from this post as well. Personally, I do agree with both you and Mike--the focus at lower levels is on those basic milestones--not tech skills. Get the basics and the motor skills down, then look towards tech skills. What is great about your comment (to me, at least) is that it shows that teachers and students of ALL grade levels are having to think about how to approach ever-changing and ever-popular technologies. Thanks for bringing in that perspective!