Supporting teacher's use of ICT and pedagogy

In my experience, I have found that it can be difficult to get staff together to take part in learning opportunities with all the other things that go on in a week.  Being flexible and offering multiple times for teachers to take part in these opportunities is important.  If I can meet their needs, they are more likely to learn a new skill and incorporate it into their pedagogy.  If I can teach them how to use a tool at a workshop and their students during their time with me in the LC then I believe a teacher is more inclined to use this technology on their own.  Furthermore, if I can take the lead on a learning activity for the class and teacher to take part in together, they will feel more confidant knowing that they have my support and that their students already know how to use the technology.  I am always surprised and thankful for what the students are able to teach me with technology that is new to them.  They pick it up so fast.  In the past when I have used this model, it always ends up being a successful learning experience for all and a great way to open the door to further collaboration.  We all get to learn from each other.  

Yesterday, I held a lunch workshop for 3 teachers to come and learn about Padlet.  One teacher said he liked it so much because it was simple to use.  He thought this technology was a far better choice to use for communicating student learning than Fresh Grade which is what he is currently using.  After lunch, I offered to collaborate with him and his class by having them into the LC to show them how to use it as well.  We came up with a plan to change a project that he had already started with them.  It only required that the written output format for the project be changed to a digital format.  The students were really engaged with the Padlet platform and enjoyed being able to work in a living document that is continually changing before their eyes.  They also appreciated being able to see the work of others happening at the same time, and to see the images others had chosen to support their inquiry.  

Here are two screen shots of the Padlet we were working on.  I was not able to include a link because the teacher I was working with had created it under his account.

In the past I have also tried teaching colleagues how to use technology at staff meetings, but I do not find this the most effective practice for supporting staff inservice.  I find that there are too many different interests and levels of ability present to be able to reach each persons' needs.  Instead, what I like to do is to briefly introduce a tool at a staff meeting and then follow it up with smaller group work of lunchtime workshops.  There's usually already too much on the table at staff meetings and I want them to be positive about the learning opportunity and not frustrated it will take more of their already precious time.  When offering workshops, I feel that smaller groups works best of around 2 - 3 others at a time.  This way, I can tailor the workshop to their specific needs and interests so they can realize the tool's potential, learn how to use it and incorporate it's use into their teaching.  

I have learned that working with fewer colleagues at a time to be more beneficial for those involved.

Having examples of both types of work is useful when sharing with teachers, so they can see the many applications a tool could have.  If you can show colleagues the usefulness and adaptability a tool has then they will be more likely to find their own ways of using it no matter the grade level they are teaching.  For example, older grade groups might be interested in using a tool for their students to engage with independently or for a class discussion, while younger grade groups may be more likely to use the same tool for brainstorming or as a platform for a class project.  

I do not believe that more use of technology is better but that the technology being used is purposeful, works well for multiple functions and is easy to use.  In my experience, a product that is tricky to use will not be appreciated by teachers.  An ICT tool is a quality tool worth learning if it is tried, tested and true and works well over many years for many purposes. I know I am rambling about Padlet, but it is the tool that I have learned this year and used extensively.  Another thing I believe is important is to learn maybe one or two new uses of technology in a year in order for it to be meaningful, easy to use and useful to you.  I feel this way about other tech tools such as Book Creator, Blogger, Pic Collage, EasyBib, and Symballoo.  Tried, tested and true. 

It is an interesting position to be in as a teacher librarian, where the roles of what we do today have changed so much from what librarians traditionally have done.  I know so many others who feel the same way and shun the responsibilities of being a tech leader in their school because they feel this added responsibility takes away from what is important to them as teacher librarians.  This is why I do not push the use of technology, but rather adopt the use of technology that is really useful, engaging and time saving for our teachers.  

I have included a Ted Talk that speaks to my personal beliefs about the overuse of technology.  After a career of researching and writing about technology, Sherry Turkle speaks about the consequences of its overuse and how this weakens our human abilities to connect in meaningful ways.  The interesting thing about her as a speaker is that she came from a different perspective 20 years ago and has since shifted her views on how technology plays a role in our lives.  I see evidence of this reality all to clearly every day which is why I am very picky about technology I engage with.  I hope you have time to listen to it.

List of Sources Cited

“Less Is More.” Estound, Estound Digital Marketing, 2016, estound.com/blog/less-is-more-more-or-less/.
Staff, EasyBib. “The Free Automatic Bibliography Composer.” EasyBib, Chegg, 1 Jan. 2018, www.easybib.com/cite/view.
Staff. “Book Creator - the Simple Way to Create Beautiful Ebooks.” Book Creator App, Book Creator, 2018, bookcreator.com/.
Staff. “MAY I HELP YOU?” PicCollage, PicCollage, 2018, pic-collage.com/.
Staff. “Home · SymbalooEDU.” SymbalooEDU, Symballoo, 2018, www.symbalooedu.com/.
Turkle, Sherry. “Connected, but Alone?” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, TED, 2012, www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.