In a post for SmartBrief’s Tech Tips, Karen Owens, a library technology educator at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, CO, shares with educators several important tips for conquering the “tech phobia” that plagues many educators struggling to transition to education in the 21st century.

Owens suggest several ways teachers can embrace technology without completely abandoning their daily routines—a mistake that many teachers make and consequentially bite off more than they can chew.

Many experts agree that technology itself does not improve learning for students, so ensuring that teachers properly know how to use new tech is crucial to guarantee it succeeds in the classroom. Owens’ tips help teachers navigate this process to achieve optimal results.

First and foremost, Owens recommends that teachers implement technology to address a specific thing that would be made easier by its presence.

"Daily procedures like collecting assignments, conducting brief formative assessments and assigning homework are good places to start. They can be done electronically, saving time in the classroom and enhancing student access to information,” Owens says.

Another valuable tip Owens provides teachers is to “work with technology, not against it.”

By integrating technology into the learning experience, Owens says that teachers can avoid students using technology as a distraction as opposed to as a learning tool.

"I encourage teachers to integrate the devices into the learning experience. Apps like ClassFlow, Kahoot, and Classpager let students use their smartphones and tablets as interactive learning tools,” Owens says.

"Students can contribute to brainstorming and discussion questions, ask the teacher clarifying questions without interrupting the lesson, and demonstrate understanding of the material in real time.”

Owens recommends that teachers start small and wait for positive results before implementing more.

"As teachers see that this practice won't radically alter the course of their instruction, they will be more amenable to the change. And once they see students’ and administrators’ positive reactions, they will likely be more willing to consider more changes in other areas of their instruction,” she says.

Read her full post here.

Nicole Gorman, Senior Education World Contributor

9/20/2016