10 Tech Tips for Teachers

1. Shift Your Mindset

Mindset is the biggest battle to overcoming technology fears as well. I hear this phrase all the time, “I’m just not good with technology?” Make up your mind to be positive. The classroom is full of obstacles; technology is no different. Maybe you aren’t as quick to learn with technology as your peers, but never let that become an excuse. If your mind is holding you back, you have some internal work to do. Take the time to reflect on your current mindset and approach technology with a positive and flexible attitude.

2. Take Risks

The magic happens outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to step out and try new things in the classroom. Model risk-taking in your classroom. Let your students know when you fail or make a mistake so that they understand that is okay. Find ways to push students out of their comfort zones, give them new ideas, perspectives, and ways to approach a problem that can help them see the value in failing forward. Taking a risk during the learning process is a gamble, but one that can pay off big time. The difference is that a risk in the classroom may not guarantee success, but if truly guided with purpose toward the learning goals can garner valuable learning along the way.

3. Start With the Why

When you are planning a digital learning experience, be goal oriented! Begin with your learning outcomes, not the technology. This idea is perhaps the most important tip of all. Everything we do as teachers should always come down student learning and doing what’s best for kids. Just because you are using technology doesn’t ensure you are meeting any objectives or learning outcomes. If you cannot explain how the digital tool enhances or improves the learning experience, you are just using technology for technology’s sake. If this is the case, start over!

I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with teachers that have started with this question,”How can I use [insert digital tool name] in my classroom?” The question should never be how to “fit” this awesome new tool into your learning experience. The question is always, “What are the desired student outcomes? What do you want them to understand and be able to do?” Then you find the best tools in your toolbox to help you get there.

4. Get Tech in Student’s Hands

Modeling is great, especially when it comes to technology use, but it is way more important to get technology into the hands of learners. Often times and with good reason, teachers can become overprotective of the technology in their classroom. Sticky fingers and clumsy hands can make you resistant, especially if it something you purchased with your own money. But if you really want to see an impact, that technology needs to be in your learner’s’ hands. Give them guidelines, show them proper use, then trust them. I see this a lot in situations like a one iPad classroom, or even when SmartBoards were popping up everywhere. The teacher became super savvy with the new technology, and the learners were engaged and excited to see something new, but don’t forget our purpose. Get technology in the hands of learners, even at the cost of giving up control.

5. Shop for Tools Like You Are On Amazon

There are so many devices, digital tools, learning ideas and gadgets to choose from in the twenty-first century that it can be overwhelming. Too many choices is a good problem to have! When it comes to the digital tools that you have discretion over, shop for your learners like you are on Amazon! You may actually be on Amazon, the App Store, Google Play, the Chrome Web Store, etc. Read reviews, talk to friends, get ideas from blogs and social media. Shopping is no longer a blind act. We can gather information on just about any idea or product, and we should find out what other teachers recommend. Find out what you can before you ever click download! Find out what you can before you decide to use it on your device and in your classroom.

6. Don’t Get Swept Away By New Tools

I am very guilty of this one! It’s easy to get swept away by new digital tools. I am often an early adopter and the first to sign-up to try something new; but if you are always trying to integrate something new, you run the risk of focusing too much on the tool and not enough on the learning. Give new tools time grow and evolve. Often times you will find that new tools that start off as free, could suddenly require a fee the day you decide to integrate into your classroom. Or worse, the company went under, and the tool is no longer accessible. New tools and ideas are part of what makes the 21st century so exciting, but we must be cautious when jumping into something new that hasn’t been proven or tested.

7. Be Consistent

When technology changes so fast, and new digital tools become available every minute, it can be tempting to try something new in your classroom every day, but learners need consistency. We all know how frustrating it can be to try something new that requires additional set-up time and then doesn’t really do everything you had hoped. Risk-taking with new tools is great, but not every day, that would risk too much instructional time. Stick with your tried and true tools, that your learners already know how to use. Then sprinkle in the new stuff! Be consistent so that your students have an opportunity to learn in-depth, focus on the learning goals, and become savvy with the best digital tools. Balance tried and true tools with sprinkles of new stuff to keep it interesting. You don’t want to be so consistent that it becomes predictable and mundane.

8. Don’t Integrate Too Many Tools At Once

Start small. Along with being consistent, resist the urge to integrate too many digital tools all at once. App-smashing is fun if guided by purpose, but if you try to do too much at once, you risk shifting the focus to the tool and just using technology for technology’s sake. If you love tech like I do, it can be easy to keep adding more ideas and tools to your lesson. But you should gradually build your student’s digital toolbox. It doesn’t have to happen in one day!

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Let Your Students Teach You!

Our students have a lot of knowledge and skills, especially when it comes to technology. Long gone are the days of the teacher being the gatekeepers of knowledge. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer when it comes to the technology, and students will love the chance to help teach you! As you are designing your learning experience, and you wonder about how a digital tool works or if there an app for that, ask a student! And even if they do not know the answer, they will be willing to help you figure it out!

The other thing that I love about talking to students about technology is they always show me something new, some new app, some new trick, that my adult world hasn’t seen yet. A lot of our students have their finger on the pulse of what’s hot, what’s right now, and while that may not always have a direct implication in the classroom, it could! Don’t immediately dismiss a tool because you think it isn’t educational. They will prove you wrong every time!

10. Utilize Student Tech Experts

It’s a myth to assume that every student is comfortable with technology. We still have a huge digital divide. But there are experts among us in our classrooms that can help bridge that gap. So not only should you leverage students to help you learn new digital skills, but you should also use them as go-to experts for other students in your classroom. This kind of leadership can be a very empowering experience for students. It can also help those with inclinations toward technology to explore their passions and interests, and it can definitely help get more girls and young women interested in technology as well.

Depending on how many savvy students you have in your class, this could be a permanent role or group, or even a rotating job for students in your class. Be careful though; you don’t want to force this role on any student who is uncomfortable or shy. At least initially, this should be a volunteer role. This idea can also be taken a step further by establishing a student help desk, genius bar, or Chrome Squadfor your school. (Learn more about developing a student tech team for your school from this blog post series: The Chrome Squad.)