I think so many times I assume that technology integration has to be well thought out, well planned, and well executed by me! But what I learned from a quick meeting with Dana this week was that sometimes all it takes is it becoming a natural part of a classroom.
As teachers I think we thrive on feedback, to hear what is going well and what can be improved upon. I know we can also be our toughest critics. I was nervously awaiting my meeting with Dana on Monday ready to tell her that we haven't done anything yet that I thought of as well thought out, well planned, or well executed. When Dana came into my room, she sauntered around looking at some of my students who were completing various activities on their EEEs. After sending them off to Specials, we finally had time to sit and "hash it out." As I prepared to talk about my future plans of action that would have been well thought out in my head, she came at me with something that completely altered my perspective. She told me "Wow, it is so amazing to see how naturally your EEEs work in your classroom." She admired that my students were able to use them on their own for day to day tasks without having me hover over them. I was amazed that just asking them to do their reading projects and Google Group posts on their own was a step in the right direction. Technology integration doesn't always have to come in the package of an elaborate, amazing project, sometimes it can just be getting students confident enough to use it on their own. I am obviously looking forward to my elaborate, amazing projects moving forward, but it was so great to hear that I was executing more than I thought I was.
Another revelation I had this week, was understanding that technology can also be integrated "on the fly." It doesn't always have to be well thought out or planned, sometimes it just simply fits. When Dana and I were talking and looking at her more than packed schedule, we found a tiny opening at the end of the day. I had communicated how I wanted to introduce my students to Google Maps before a project later in the year, and Dana was the perfect person to do that (as I am still getting comfortable with that program as well). The question became what do we do on Google Maps? In that instant I said "we are learning about Regions of Colorado, why not create a Regions map?" Dana looked a little shocked and so did I. Did we really just come up with a great introductory lesson in 3 seconds to be executed that afternoon? I am so glad this happened the way it did because it showed me something very important: I don't have to over-think everything all the time. Sometimes the best course of action can strike you like lightning and if you get out of your own way it can turn into something pretty great. The students had a lot of fun with Maps that afternoon and now they have the basic tools they need to complete a more in-depth project later this year. They also were able to experience a map on a different level rather than just coloring one in on a worksheet. My hope is that it gave them a different perspective they may not have had otherwise.
Who knew you could learn so many great lessons in one day "on the fly."
