4-A-2+Wiki+Posting+Five+Ways+to+Think+about+Change

=Home > Assignments > 4-A-2: Wiki Posting: Five Ways to Think about Change=

List five ways to think about and address changes in technology in your classroom and school. With each way briefly describe how you plan to apply your thinking with your colleagues.
 * INSTRUCTIONS:**

Before developing your five ways to address change suggestions consider the following:
 * Considering the list of fears you brainstormed in the previous assignment, what are the common objections and fears your peers or administration may have to changes in technology?
 * How can you assess if the the objections/fears are valid? How can you educate your peers in determining if these fears and objections are valid?
 * How can you inspire peers who share similar beliefs and interests to apply changes in technology to their classroom or students' learning ?
 * How can you get peers out of the "Resistance" phase into the "Exploration" phase?

Post your "five ways to address change" in the table below. Review your peers' postings and post at least one comment in the Discussion Tab above.

I would set aside a time each week or month to brainstorm a small list of ways to incorporate technology into the upcoming units. Usually we are teaching the same concepts at similar times, so I think this would help those teachers struggling with ideas. 2. I think many teachers need to know they are supported by administration when tying to implement change. I would invite our technology supervisor and one administrator into these collaborative meetings. Having the technology supervisor on board to address questions and concerns, as well as offer meaningful instruction would really help alleviate any potential distress. 3. It's important to realize that no teacher wants to completely overhaul their entire curriculum. Change needs to be adopted gradually. In order to perusade teachers to adapt, you need to proceed delicately. I found those most resistant to change have been teaching for quite a number of years. They've seen the trends in teaching come full circle, time and time again and believe they can ride this wave out until administration mandates change. Offering training to these teacher in very small, informal group settings will help them with the adjustment. 4. Another way to gain interest in adopting change is to visit a neighboring school district that has embraced technolgoy instruction. Allow teachers to visit classrooms where Smartboards, for example, are being utilized into the existing curriculum. One teacher I work with demanded that her Smarboard be taken down. She didn't like the fact that it was taking up valuable whiteboard space. All she really needed was someone to come in and show her a few ways she could use the technology in her Science classes. She didn't even know a Smartboard was being installed in her classroom; she was never told. This aggravated rather than excited her. Once someone came into her room after school one day to show her a few ways she could use the Board, she realized its potential and began trying a few new things with it every week. Her comfort level rose and now she doesn't know what she would do without it! 5. Our school has employed a Connect Team to help teachers implement change. These team is made up of volunteers in the building. I believe having this team of approachable, friendly faces has hleped many on our faculty feel safer and more comfortable when faced with new technologies. The new grading system online was one such example where teachers were more than resistant to adapt. We had just been through training on another system the year before. People were more than a little upset; however, the Connect Team helped make the transition a little more bearable. Had administration sent an unfamiliar sea of faces in here, they would've been eaten alive! || Jenny Craig || 2. Changing the mind set from "instructor" to "Facilitator." Fellow teachers need to be instructed on the concept of becoming a guide, a coach or a mentor that sets the stage for the learning activity and then sends the students out to explore and learn independently 3. Technology in my classroom needs to become more student centered. I have a classroom full of computers where student watch what I do on the projected computer and the repeat the activity. I need to make my lessons more exploratory. I would like to give them the concept and see if they can figure it out on their own. They would remember it better if they had to find it themselves. I would give clues "strategy guides" only when they just couldn't do it after extending all options 4. When students are done with assignments in my class, I allow them to go to the computers and basically play. I need to find educational games that reinforce concepts in my subjects. Kids love to play on the internet and educational play is still play to them. 5. I want to bring the online collaborative activities into the classroom. I know that my administration is skeptical of the online social concept, but there is a great deal of learning that can take place there. If I can prove it, they might be open to becoming more flexible about un-blocking more such sites on the internet. Perhaps the resistance can be softened if I can prove that it is safe and effective way to teach student collaborative concepts. || Jenette Busch ||
 * ==**5 Ways to Address Change**== || ==**Submitted by:**== ||
 * 1. Because I teach middle school English wtih three other teams of English teachers,
 * 1. One way to facilitate change in your school is to educate your staff. Administration needs to set aside time for the staff that knows how to use the technology to teach those that don't. One of the biggest complaints of teachers is not having the time to learn how to use technology. Ins-service days are perfect times to help alleviate the frustration of time. Even short after school sessions at my school would be better than nothing. We have 25 minutes after students leave where we could have mini lessons on technologies. Even share sessions where teachers share technology use ideas.


 * 1. One way to facilitate change within a school is to provide training for the teachers. Most teachers fear technology because they do not feel comfortable using it themselves. They are afraid to lead a class full of students when they might not know how to solve any glitches that may happen. It's easier for teachers to resist the change and continue teaching the way they have always taught. However, setting aside time for training will put teachers at ease. In my school we have before school and after school training sessions. We also have a computer specialist in the school who can provide one on one training.

2. Having an individual computer technology specialist within each building is an excellent way to facilitate change. There needs to be a go to person just in case a teacher gets into a jam. This specialist can help the classroom teacher design lessons that incorporate technology and this person can also be in the classroom while the lesson is happening to assist with technological needs. Once the teacher gains some confidence, it may not be necessary for the specialist to remain in the classroom and the teacher can do it on her own.

3. To help with facilitating change in my school, we have video-taped good technology lessons and played that tape during faculty meetings. In my science department, we have observed each other teaching lessons with technology and shared ideas about technology with each other. This observation and sharing allows hesitant teachers to model their lesson after a teacher who may be more confident in their technology skills. Helping each other is a great way to foster change.

4. One of the best changes a school can make is to provide each teacher with a laptop. When you have the technology at your fingertips, where you can play and try things on your own, it is only natural for you to want to bring that change into the classroom. Providing teachers with the right tools is a great beginning. I am so lucky to have my own laptop, a TV display monitor, and individual laptops for a class of 30 students that I share with my team members.

5. One method that I personally believe in is to integrate change slowly. Nobody expects a teacher to fully integrate technology in one school year. Teachers should be encouraged to try a few things per year. A few years ago I used a program that allowed my students to create food webs on the computer. The following year one of my classes created their own web pages on Biome topics. Next school year, I am going to have them make an imovie. Little by little I have built my comfort level up and soon I will have a lot of technology integration going on. || Stacy Campbell ||
 * 1. One way to facilitate change is to bridge the gap between the unfamiliar with the familiar. Teacher training should emphasize the similiarities between systems. Often teachers are reluctant to learn new technology because they see systems come and go so often that new learning seems like a waste of time. For instsance, in the three years I've taught in my current building, we have had two online grading programs, two teacher web site systems and are now adding a performance tracker. Though it can seem overwhelming, our tech team has helped teachers by showing us the similiarites between all these systems and helped us bridge the knowledge gap.

2. Another way to facilitate change is to integrate it as part of an existing curriculum. Again, all of us learn when we feel comfortable and can make connections from prior learning. By integrating technology into the curriculum lesson by lesson -- perhaps even just one per unit -- teachers grow more comfortable with the technologies and more willing to explore new ways to use it in the classroom. When change feels overwhelming, people tend to reject it. By introducing it gradaually, comfort levels increase and true learning takes place.

3. Students are also a great way to introduce change in schools, particularly with technology. Students are a great resource and are far more savvy about uses for technology than most teachers. I use students as my "tech gurus" to teach me how best to use technology in the classroom. I believe that when teachers take the time to establish a learning community in their classroom, students feel empowered to share their knowledge for everyone's benefit. When they teach me, I can go to my fellow teachers and show the more reluctant ones a lesson or two that worked. This way I leverage student expertise as well as teacher experience to bring change to my learning community.

4. Another way to facilitate change is to show others how much easier, faster, or more effecive technology makes my job. Most people want to work more efficiently; when colleagues see someone who seems to fulfill tasks a better way, they want to know the secret. Whenever I see a teacher who seems to have a bettter idea, I ask for the secret. I know that I am not alone. By modeling technology integration for others, and showing how much easier it makes our lives, we facilitate change.

5. The Power Point presentation about change brought up a point I think is vital: some people will never change, so the only way to facilitate change is to recognize their unwillingness and move on to others. That is a difficult concept for teachers because we always want to reach everyone; however, there are always people, young and old, who refuse to incorporate anything new in their teaching styles. They carry around too much fear or anger to be willing to try anything but the familiar. In order to facilitate change for the many, these few need to be left behind. || Deborah Kearney || 2. We could learn about different web-sites that we could all use because we all need to be more educated on these resources. I could get suggestions from other faculty members that are interested in technology or that use different internet activities. Doing this would give me people on my side to help cross over the teachers that are not on board. 3. I could do a lesson using a new type of technology and invite other teachers to come watch the lesson so that they could see how successful it was. 4. I that money is another big drawback for some but what some don’t know is that we have technology already in place. Educating the teachers who do not know about these technological resources is a way to eliminate the “excuse” that we lack funding. 5. I feel that the lack of training is the biggest obstacle to overcome. I agree with the book when he talks about having a tech person in each building to aide teachers in incorporating technology into their subjects. I think this would be a great thing. Teachers would be more open to trying new things this way. || Jodi Thomas || Change 1:** Obtain Technology. This may include discovering creative finances, applying for grants, consulting administration, etc. Technology is expensive and often requires teachers prompting and pushing!
 * 1. We could have professional development on internet safety to show teachers we can use the internet and it still be safe and policed. I will suggest this to our administration because we have professional development twice a week in the mornings and need things do cover at these meetings.
 * **//__Don’t have__//


 * __//Don’t know//__**
 * Change 2:** Learning to use technology. Conferences and workshops are excellent ways to learn more about technology.
 * Change 3:** Collaborating with others. Learning about and promoting technological advances does not have to be a one-man battle. Like-minded staff can get together to suggest conferences, complete online workshops, research technology, or attend seminars. Especially if you are leery of learning something new, learning together can give us strength.
 * Change 4:** Learn from Digital teachers. Many younger, technological teachers would be excited to teach you hotkeys, programs, and technological uses. Many of these teachers learned how to teach with technology imbedded in lessons. They may be excellent resources. Often having someone show how it can be successful first hand is more powerful than seeing technological concepts in a conference. Observe the smooth, quick, efficient technology they use in a lesson!

Change 5:** See the benefits. Creating a pros and cons list would be an excellent way to promote change. Many of thepros of technology save time (efficiency), allow for more curriculum concepts (more resources available), motivate students, save trees, and allow for increased communication (with students and parents). || Tammie Jensen || Change #1: "Infuse Technology" as noted by Gary Hopkins in his article Training Teachers Who Are Terrified by Technology (2005). He suggested incorporating technology into all aspects of learning. I currently use computers during literacy block to improve phonics through gaming on [|www.starfall.com]. I could also begin to use blogging in my writing instruction or to journal the year events for primary students. I could also have my students author a book using a wiki or have a homework support blog with assignments for the week. Change #2: Communicate with common stakeholders (suggested by Karl Kapp in Managing Change in technology Adoption). Keeping those involved will make the transition go a lot smoother and hopefully rally support. I can do this by blogging, giving presentations, workshops, sending emails, publishing newsletters via podcast, and issuing permission forms. Change #3: "Show the advantages" of doing something different (suggested by Karl Kapp in Managing Change in technology Adoption). I could do this by documenting the amount of resources I use before and after implementation of the new technology. I could also show samples of students work to show the increase in motivation and quality of work submitted. Change#4: Show similarities with new technology (suggested by Karl Kapp in Managing Change in technology Adoption). Give examples of how the new way only enhances the old way but some not change it totally. It is important to show how reading, writing, and math will still be the priority but improved with the higher order thinking use when using technology. Karl Kapp (2007) in his book Gadgets, Games, and Gizmos suggest having virtual clubs and activities just as we do in a face to face setting but without the extra cost. Change #5: Model how easy it is to use the new technology and demonstrate how effective it can be. Offering training workshops and allowing stakeholders to observe you is a start in showing the simplicity to handling the technology. Giving small assignments to students and eventually move on to more difficult assignments which will guide them through the process without being overwhelmed. || Jana H. || 2. So the test for validity must be effective and in the staff's and students' best interest. Administrators must model their use of the new change for the teacher, and the teachers model them for their students and the other stakeholders (as Kapp's PowerPoint suggested) proactively. 3. I would agree with Jenette and Stacy in that teachers need to be given time to use the technology for a while, and the way to do this best is to "play" with it. The "Teaching Terrified Teachers Technology" article said this best. There is such a fear in novices that they will break the computer, whatever that means, or that they will end up in some kind of No Man's Land from which they cannot return. But the more you are given time to just search around and try out the different buttons on a new program, the more you realize that it's tough to really screw it up. I've told many people that you're best friend is the "undo" button! 4. Teachers (especially older teachers) will only be inspired if they can be shown how using a new model or technology will make their teaching faster and easier. I know that sounds selfish, because we should be finding ways to make students learn better, but the fact is there are many many ways to do that but it isn't always feasible because many of them take a lot of time. Again, I thought the article said it well in that we should not teach the technology but integrate it into what we already teach. That is what will get boomer teachers on board. 5. One way to practically get peers to try out new changes and technology is to literally show them how it was done with a similar class that they teach, using observation or video. That would not only build confidence and reduce fear, but provide an instant mentor for the teacher if things went wrong. It can be a lonely thing standing in a classroom feeling over your head swimming in new technology. Of course, students themselves can help, but they can't relate to the classroom management that you must provide as the teacher. || Tony M. || 2. Our middle school is very lucky to have as many LCD projectors and SmartBoards as we do. However, much of the staff is not trained in how to use them to their fullest potential. I would encourage administration to support and offer trainings on how to use the technology. This will be an issue in my district however. We just eliminated our technolology integration teacher whose job is was to train the teachers how to use the technology. I really don't understand this decision. In fact, they just rewrote our teacher evaluation form to include a piece on using technology. How can teachers be evaluated on something they have never been trained to do? 3. Students know a lot about technology. Many of them know a lot more than many of us. I need to let the students teach me what they know. Many teachers feel it a sense of pride to know "everything" in their classroom. However, with technology, teachers can learn more from the students than they can teach. There will need to be many discussions about this among the staff. If we set aside time to discuss technology and share what we have learned, teachers will hopefully become less resistent to using it. 4. Technology is a scary thing for many teachers. A small success can go a long way to build confidence. Teachers need to see that making a change can lead to positive things. I feel that teachers need to be rewarded for trying new things. Success needs to be shared in a public setting. Staff meetings, get togethers, and electronic public forums are great ways to share stories. If teachers see that their efforts are being recognized (by administration and fellow teachers), hopefully they will be more apt to continue trying new technology. 5. I guess this idea should have been placed as number one, but it is important to talk about change before a change can be made. Karl Kapp's presentation, made it very clear that change is something that is going to encounter resistence. By talking about change, teachers can reflect upon their beliefs about change. Viewing a presentation like Kapp's PowerPoint can make teachers seriously think about where they stand in relation to change. Which phase are they in? What are the advantages of accepting change? What are the disadvantages of accepting change? Having an open discussion about the concept of "change" may make teachers willing to actually make a change. || Trevar Scheuch || 2. Many teachers are scared to try and use technology. When they try it and it doesn't work, they are uncertain about what else to try. Sometimes, they try several things and none of them work. They get frustrated and want to quit. These teachers need training. They need someone to take some time, step by step and show them how it works. Often if they can learn some fundamentals, then they will start using it and seeing some benefits from using it. They also may then be willing to explored some more advanced areas in this technology. This happened to me on my smartboard in Tucson. I learned how to use some of the basics after watching some of the other teachers using them in their rooms. Afterwards, I started letting students assist on the smartboard. They knew more about it than I did, so I learned a little more then about how to use it better. 3. Schools need to continually be offering and expecting teachers to be participating in some kind of training or technology group that will help expand the knowledge of how that technology works. Technology groups would be beneficial as teachers could then offer assistance to each other including ideas they have used in the classroom. What works and what doesn't. 4. A student technology group would also be an awesome addition. These students could offer helpful suggestions to teachers struggling with technology. They could be available when needed to teach how to build in links, set up ePortfolios, wikis, blogs, even for some more advanced uses of powerpoint, etc. 5. The last suggestion I would offer to help teachers to implement change would be to have a technology specialist in the building. This person would be available to tutor teachers one on one or even a small group on advances in technology. This would be especially helpful if the district had offered training on some technology and then offered the tutoring for when teachers got stuck while trying to learn how to implement what they were just learning about. || Shelly S. || 1. Before implementing a technological change, I would arrange for a full day professional development. I would arrange for every teacher or staff member to be taught step by step the ways of the new technology. If you want people to get on board with change, they must feel like they have an understanding of it as well. Frustration and resistance sets in if educators fell unprepared in the material that they are supposed to teach or use.
 * //__Don’t Want__//
 * My current school district is someone using technology already and so making some changes in to how we use it should not be difficult. However, for the elementary level I can foresee the issues of time, money, and materials as obstacles. I have noted 5 changes that may help to ease the idea of change on the elementary school level.
 * 1. I think that in education, we see so many fads come and go. So a lot of what we might think of as "fears" is actually just a healthy reluctance not to waste time with technology or any change that really doesn't aid students directly and over the long term. Administrators must really sell their faculty on the reliability and validity of any new paradigm shift before they can expect them to sell it (by using it with) their students.
 * 1. I teach in a team of sixth grade teachers. The first thing I would do is encourage my team to sit down and assess where they are in their comfort level with technology. We always stress the importance of pre-assessing the students to see what they know. I feel that we cannot move forward in technology if we don't know where we currently are.
 * 1. Teachers, especially older teachers, need to see relevance in making these changes. When you already have taught the same class for many years, you have most of your curriculum already set up. You know what notes you need to give out for which chapters, and what activities you are going to do when. If you are that type of teacher, then you want to have these changes you are being asked to make as relevant. Why are these changes better for the students? Is this research based? What kind of studies have been made about using this technology? This is particularly relevant because they are having to change their curriculum.
 * Changes
 * Professional Development**-As with any change within a school, there will be some professionals who have a vast knowledge while others have very little knowledge. I think it is important for districts to offer varying levels of professional development when it comes to educating the net generation.
 * Student Involvement**-It is important to have student buy in when planning to make a change. By creating a student tech team, you are gaining student buy-in while creating another team that is able to assist teachers who might not feel confident in their technology skills.
 * Collaboration**-I think it is important for schools/administrations to offer informal time for collaboration among teachers. This way there is less pressure, and the time can be used for exploring technologies together. Often times, we learn best by sharing our knowledge and working in groups.
 * Time**-Teachers' days are filled with so many duties, both in and out of school, that time is important for change. Teachers need to be given time to play with new technologies. This way they can begin to feel more comfortable with technology they might share with students in the future.
 * Communication**-As the technology begins to explode within the school, I think it is important to communicate with all stake holders (community members, parents, etc). One way to do this is to share how technology is being used within the school. Perhaps having a technology showcase might allow stakeholders to have a better understanding of why technology is an important part of today's students' education. || Tara G. ||
 * ** Five Ways to Think about Change **

2. I believe that it is easier for people to try new things if the risk of failure is low. Having a tech person in the building who is on call for any technological need may also alleviate fear. Also knowing that the administration is aware of the changes and support is offered from that level is also comforting for educators. Readily available support will help alleviate resistance as well if teachers know that there is always someone to go to with questions.

3. With any change, there is always the “fear of the unknown”. People resist and complain before they really know anything about what is actually going on. I believe that the best way to implement technology change is to do it gradually. By allowing educators to slowly learn the process of new programs, the level of frustration will be reduced.

4. Allow teachers to communicate with other educators who have utilized the change in technology and provide success feedback. Knowing someone who has implemented the change and has personally used it already may help with the confidence in the technology program. For me, when I know there is someone that has experimented with it already and is there to bounce ideas off of, I am more willing to give it a try.

5. If funding is available, providing all teachers with their own computer is a great way to encourage experimentation with technology and new programs. Provide educators with websites and “fun” things that they can bring into their classrooms and allow them time to get to know the programs is a great way to encourage change. With every teacher having their own personal computer, they may use technology and learn new programs at their convenience as well. || Brianna V ||
 * Encouraging Change

One way that I can encourage my colleagues to use different technologies is to use those technologies with their students when they come to the library. Last semester I started using the Broadcast feature in //Snychroneyes// and after watching my lesson several of my colleagues that were scared of technology began using it as well.
 * Modeling **

I use many different Library and Librarian Listservs, Blogs and Wikis to find and share ideas and I have encouraged many colleagues to look for similar resources in their own fields of expertise. It’s a great way to start using social networking sites.
 * Content Area Organizations **

Recently I purchased an ipad, I justified the purchase because I wanted a really good electronic reader so that I could download and read books. (After all, we Librarians tend to read a lot.) But now that I have it I read my newspaper on it, play games on it, look up information (there’s a free app that connects to my school and local public library databases!) and I even make lists and use it as a day planner. The point is I started out with what was most important to me – reading books online – and it just snowballed from there. So I’m definitely going to encourage my colleagues to find one piece of technology that works for them and then embrace it, hopefully it will “snowball” for them as well.
 * Start With What You Like **

I have a colleague that is very resistant to technology. But when he told me he was really going to miss his daughter who was going off to college I made a point of showing him Skype. He was fascinated and made me promise to show him how to use it when we go back to school in the fall. Of course he’ll want to contact his daughter first, but that’s okay once he’s comfortable with it I’ll show him how to do author visits.
 * Give Them What They Want **

The faculty in my building is always looking for ways to save time. So any time I find a technology that will help them save time I try to implement it. I finally convinced the tech department that I needed the rights to my own “library calendar” for scheduling classes in the library proper and the reference lab. I now do all scheduling on-line and the faculty loves it. Instead of walking up to the library and checking the paper schedule they can log in and see what is available instantly. Even my most technology resistant colleagues have gotten the hang of it and use it enthusiastically. || Peggy M. ||
 * Timesavers **