Crushing Barriers

Previously, I listed four barriers I face as a teacher when it comes to infusing technology into my classroom and lessons. Although, what are barriers without solutions to get through them? Here are four solutions to my previously listed barriers:

1. Time. I mentioned how difficult it is to find the time to infuse and teach technology when I as a teacher already have anything but time on my hands. This barrier can be crushed by taking the time at the very beginning of the school year (when we have time specifically allotted to teach procedures) to teach basic functions of apps and web apps I know my class will be using. Last year I took time to introduce maybe one or two websites I knew we would use (razkids for reading and Kahoot! for reviews). Those two websites took virtually zero time away from instruction because my students knew exactly how to use them and the focus could be on the learning. I now have a better idea of the websites and tools I want to use this year and I will be more efficient at making my students competent in these tools so we do not have to sacrifice time further down the road. 

2. My own competency. A fairly large concern I had with infusing technology last year aside from time was my own competency in how to use these wonderful resources. What if I taught it wrong? What if I thought I knew how to use the app then tried to show my students only to result in both myself and them being confused? Those were very scary thoughts for me as I was already facing enough struggles trying to make it through the day. This barrier is the easiest to crush, I have an entire month and a wider array of how to not only use more web sites and apps but I am now more competent in how to FIND OUT how to use them. I have found some very helpful blogs that help me feel confident in my competency in how to infuse technology successfully. These blogs also help to know I am not the only one who struggles with this barrier!

This blog gives you a great description of the app and a how to!  
E Learn Queen gives lesson ideas and how to's as well, will definitely be using these to help plan for next year.


3.  Student success. How do I know my students are mastering the TEKS they need to be mastering? Do they really "get" it? Or are they just whizzes with technology and keeping up? I believe that responsibility falls on me as the teacher. I need to crush this barrier by taking the time to really think through my technology lesson plans so that there are no students just slipping through the cracks and skating by on their knowledge of one competent (technology) but not the other (content). Taking the time to properly plan and include assessments will definitely take care of this barrier. 

This blog post really hits a lot of my concerns with TEKS mastery and using technology, it is a great read. 


4. Relinquishing control. Probably one of the most scary things for me. I am giving students control over their learning. I am providing them with the knowledge and the tools but essentially the power is in their hands. This barrier will just take time and experience. I know students make some of the best teachers. I realize relinquishing control and molding my students into 21st century learners and problem solvers is good for them, but it is still not easy to do. If I feel like I provide the ingredients and my students make the soup, that is an easier pill to swallow. I just need to give them what they need and understand they are capable of having that self direction and possess the problem solving skills they need to be in control of their own learning.