Here are some tips to consider when integrating technology into your lesson planning and/or putting some "techno-ZING!" into your lessons...hence the term TECHNOLOGI-ZING!©
- Know your content
- Know your resources and/or how to find them
- Know your Tools
- Assemble your "Brain Trust"
- Get the Gear
- Getting to the Lessons
- "Everest it ain't" (sic)
- Test - Evaluate - Revise - Test (like a good rock song, repeat and fade)
- Take a Model for a Walk
- Share, Share, Share!
It is important to have a good grasp of the content you are dealing with. It is possible to prepare a lesson which integrates technology without being a subject "expert" however, you teach students not subjects - so they need to have the confidence that you know what you are talking about. It is certainly not unusual for a teacher to have to teach a lesson in a subject for which they have no background. Don't worry. The next tip will help.
2. Know your resources and/or how to find them.
One of the most important benefits of Internet technologies is wide access to information, resources and the work of others. You need to start right now to build a good database or library of great resources. You have to become a bit of ‘cybrarian' and collector of sorts and be fully capable of leading your students to the fabulous resources you have found. You will need to develop some skills in the area of internet research, if you are going to seek out reliable and accurate resources. Our next tip should help. (PS: Don't forget to put NortelLearniT.org as the first entry).
"Technologize me". Know your "weapons of mass instruction". Teachers should try to see technology as an essential tool of the trade, just as their fore-teachers saw that "purpley-ink" thing that made copies as a necessary evil (the old ditto machines) but necessary just the same. There is no need to become an expert in all things technological, as there are many "experts" to be found. Good solid knowledge of the workings of computers, digital cameras, digital video cameras and a variety of associated software are very useful to those who wish to add the "Techno-zing" to their lessons.
Fortunately for you- we at Nortel LearniT are well aware of the difficulties you face and have setup some very fine instructional videos for teachers on our website. You would do well to add them to your fabulous list of resources (see tip number 2).