This summer I was pleasantly surprised to work with a district in
Georgia that was introducing our Technology Integration Matrix to their
teachers. I was struck by the brilliance of not reinventing the wheel. If you
are trying to show teachers and administrators what good technology might look
like, the Florida Center of Instructional
Technology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, is responsible for
this incredible living document. It has emerged over the last seven years since
I’ve known it, and it has been a work in progress that has now grown into
maturity. As a technology coach for the Florida
Digital Educator Program, the TIM has given us a great platform for
sharing, modeling, and demonstrating the power of technology in the classroom.
No matter what state you live in or what district you teach in, the Technology
Integration Matrix (TIM), can give you a glimpse into everyday classrooms that
are using technology effectively. This “tuesdays” is a celebration of the most
valuable technology measure available. (In
my opinion, of course!)
A
creative website
What is technology integration? There are measurable models of
technology in the classroom that can be observed. The TIM (Technology Integration Model) is a
tremendous tool to help teachers and administrators begin to understand the
rigor that technology adds to the curriculum. It is much more robust than meets
the eye. As you click on the TIM,
you will notice that it is a 5 x 5 grid making 25 rectangles. Be sure to hover
over the four icons that represent the core subjects because there are 4 video
vignettes in each of those rectangles for a total of 100 classroom experiences.
Dig deeply. Watch a few videos, click on a few success stories and dream of a
way to make an impact at your school.
Technology integration is a process. Take your time, but try new project
or emerging technology this year that you’ve never tried and make sure the
students have an opportunity to become more engaged with technology. These are
a few of my favorite videos from the TIM:
- Language
Arts – small group
- High
School – Social Studies
- 2nd
grade – Math lesson
- Middle
School Math
- High
School Science
An image to share.
Students doing a paper slide project
A proverb
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home
to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"
An
encouragement
It takes time to integrate technology.
It takes patience and it’s well worth it. Doing a digital project with your students
requires risk taking. It will never be
perfect and because it is technology, you can be guaranteed that there will be
issues, but the learning that takes place in a technology rich environment
gives students that hook to keep them engaged and a unique sense of
accomplishment. Probably the most powerful reason to go digital is the ability
to share projects with a larger audience.
I want to encourage you to get help before you take on a digital
project. If you don’t have anyone at
your school who can work with you on the planning and implementation of a
digital project, ask for help at the district level or from community
members. If it is a matter of equipment,
ask your Advisory Council, PTA or other school support group if they would help
supply the school with more technology or write a mini grant through DonorsChoose.org
How do
you do that?
How will we ever effectively integrate
technology in the classroom? I believe
that one of the most important factors that will raise the ROI (Return On
Investment) for districts that have spent tons of money on technology is to
have a technology coach at every school. A technology coach is not the network
person, nor the one who fixes the computers, but instead works closely with
teachers to recognize and implement opportunities to bring 21st
Century skills into the curriculum. The
technology coach can work in a teacher’s classroom by helping design the
procedures of the project, train the students on the nuts and bolts of caring
for the equipment and learning to utilize software programs that will help them
express their learning in creative and dynamic formats. A school that is rich in technology without
the support of a coach, risks having the appearance of 21st century
tools without the reality of changing the learning environment. Unless the
technologies are getting down to the students, there can be no real systematic
change. When it is all said and done, it’s just good Harry Wong – let’s get the
students doing the work!
As always, I am
Ubiquitously yours,
K
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