I am currently reading the book entitled Supporting Learning with Technology: Essentials of Classroom Practice by Joy Egbert. This book is very readable and full of helpful suggestions for classroom teachers who are incorporating technology into their classrooms.

This week I will discuss the topics from Chapters 1 & 2 which I have found beneficial.

In Chapter 1 there is a section called Guidlines for Using Educational Technology.  Ms. Egbert gives three simple guidelines: 1) Understand the realities of technology, 2) Examine equity and access for your students, and 3) Consider student differences.

1. Understand the realities of technology--Learning to use technology will not be a smooth and seamless process.  Expect a time for learning.  This requires time and patience.  She reminds us that students love the "bells and whistles" which technology affords, but that as teachers we can keep this under control by ensuring that our content is rich and rigorous.
2. Examine equity and access for your students--Ms. Egbert reminds us of some potential spots where inequity can occur (girls and students with disabilities).  Also having a limited amount of computers in the room for student use.  I saw this problem this week and circumvented it by a simple rule.  If you were male, you must select a female to follow you on the computer.  If you were female, a male had to be selected.  I made sure that my students with disabilities were involved in this process.  Also, my school permits students to use their own technology.  This freed computer time and students volunteered, without encouragement or even my suggestion, shared their technology with a neighbor.  Students wanted to help their peers with the assignments I gave.  I count this a huge success!
3. Consider student differences--Making consideration for particular learning preferences was central to this topic.  I opened a discussion for my students with the prompt "What about technology?" and while the due date has not yet passed, the resounding cry from students is for me to continue.  They cite "not having to carry large books and binders" and "easy and fun" as just a few reasons for me to continue.

Chapter 2 covers learning content while using technology.  Early in the chapter Ms. Egbert addressed the challenges of teachers incorporating technology into content lessons.  She reminded me that many of the challenges present in the traditional classroom are also present in a technology filled class.  As in chapter one she acknowledged the time and effort it takes to learn new technologies and reminded me to use the school media specialist as a resource.

More for the book in future posts.