If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?

It was a very cool thing today at my school because we rolled out the ELMO Document Cameras. What was really great about it was seeing teachers excited about using technology. It was a voluntary session to come check out the cameras and learn a little bit about how to work them. There was about 20 teachers who stayed (happily) for 45 to 60 minutes after the school day to learn about technology. It was clear to me that the reason for this is that these teachers saw this piece of equipment as valuable and useful in their classroom and that is why they were here.

I wish that we could figure out the way to get this same number of teachers excited about using Web 2.0 tools . The interest is there it is just a matter of selling them on the usefulness of these tools. Our Technology Integration Specialist, John Geanangel does a fantastic job at our school inviting people to use technology, but faces an uphill climb to get teachers to understand these tools. As a fellow classroom teacher I am realizing that it is important for me to help with this process. The problem is that because I teach in a technology enhanced classroom I am viewed as someone who is using these crazy newfangled technologies that are not for the average user of technology. There needs to be a way to break this misconception and I think the best way is through relationships and connections. However, what else can be done to help teachers make the shift and see the value and power of these tools for their classrooms and their students’ learning?