Not Quite Second Nature, But Getting There

Where Am I on the tech integration spectrum.

image from cliparting

I have no idea.

Well that’s not necessarily true, exactly. But I’m low, not in that I’m sad and can’t get up kind of low, which is far more serious, but in that low tech skills kind of low.

However, I am improving, and I realized this, this summer.

I actually know and do more than I previously thought. My students have daily access to tech, unlike some of my teacher friends at home and use their iPads daily to further their learning, if by making summaries, or researching or making presentations on Google slides.

And it’s because I am surrounded by a lot of tech-y type geniuses that I always run to for help, Amy, Andrew, Sean, Laurie…. they let me know about apps or websites that are helpful, and/or engaging and as the  SAMR model points out, I am trying to get out of the substitution level and into more augmentation, (which, for the record, is weird for me to say, coming from my years spent in Miami) which, I realize I am more on this level than previously realized.

SO maybe then I am on the third level on the model,which is  Modification.  Which means, tech allows for significant task redesign. Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves…., let’s get back to augmentation shall we.

So I am feeling ok about the use of tech in my class but I then read the article What is Successful Tech Integration? on edutopia website

Turns out….

I’m a fumbly user.  (If fumbly is a word, but you get the picture)

I am trying, really trying, to give students opportunities to effectively use technology to increase the depth of their knowledge. But I still have to know what those tools are don’t I?

Or do I?

I use Google Docs, Google Slides, my students research and do Expert Presentations on anything that interests them and present to the class through any app they like. We use Chatterpix, Skitch, and Book Creator, to name a few. They have daily access to their iPads, we have lessons about being responsible digital citizens and discuss appropriateness in regards to their searches and comments…..

Good Right?

But is it seamless?

The article says to be seamless means, it is “technology integration is at its best, a child or a teacher doesn’t stop to think that he or she is using a technology tool — it is second nature. 

I’m trying to increase my seamlessness with using technology with the students. But I know I have to continue my Tech Integration journey. I have a  colleague and friend who always amazes me at how she simply has her students using their iPads, where I really have to think about it.

It’s funny. I can integrate almost anything  Art, Music, PE, into whatever I’m teaching , make an amazing unit all hands on, project based, individualized …but I still have to make sure I stop and put in more tech for the students.

So as I reflect on my tech integration practices I realize, it’s not quite second nature, but getting there.