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My Top 10 Technology Tips for Teachers

This week marks the beginning of a new course — LBS 850: Emerging Tech for Libraries. I'm fairly current and comfortable on general emerging technologies, but the focus on librarianship & education will be a new one. So I expect to learn A LOT over the next 16 weeks!

Without further ado, here are my TOP TEN TIPS! (And stay tuned for a post at the end of the semester on the same topic ...what will have changed? Will anything have stayed the same?!)
  1. These technologies are tools to supplement your instruction, not replace it. Much as a great saucepan does not replace the need for a chef, an online solution doesn't take away the need for you — an excellent teacher.
  2. Meet often with your LMS to chat about curriculum and ask if they have technology integration suggestions that would enhance or expand your lessons.
  3. If you’re new to technology, take a shallow dive into the pool. For example, lurk on twitter educational chats to see what it's like. Did you learn anything? Would you like to participate?
  4. We're still in the beginning days of technology: remember, the iPhone is only 10 years old. If something isn't working and you're becoming frustrated, step away. It's probably a bug, or maybe you're missing a step. Take a breather, and then ask a friend or colleague if they've encountered a similar issue.
  5. Don't know an answer? Googling is your friend…
  6. But be cognizant of the fact that search results are tailored to you based on your prior activity. For example, take two people who google "safety of vaccines": if they have opposing viewpoints and have previously clicked on articles that support their viewpoints, they will have COMPLETELY different results. This is dangerous. We need to work hard to teach students to be critical consumers of information and users of technology. Being in a bubble harms us all.
  7. Much as we frequently remind students to be kind in the classroom, we have to work together to remind students to be kind online and to be good digital citizens. 
  8. If you would be embarrassed for your principal to see something you wrote online — don't write it. Nothing is truly anonymous, and nothing ever truly goes away. 
  9. Technology isn't just fun. It can make your life easier! Lesson planners, gradebooks, and more can be found online. And if you find a digital solution that could help school-wide, speak up!
  10. This too shall pass. JUST KIDDING! Technology is here to stay. Though the platforms, software, and websites will undoubtedly change, the skills you learn today will help you in the future.
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