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Dr. Dianna Lindsay's picture
Dr. Dianna Lindsay
After 43 years in my chosen profession, I remain excited, alive, and learning! From an active Twitter Account to blogging, from teaching Constitutional Law to Pre-AP English, from a national winner...
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Character: Technology Confidence Phases in Staff Development

  • Character appears to develop as we sensitively care for the development of others. In the world of building teacher confidence, this is especially true. Teachers need confidence to build competence. Watching teachers develop their technology confidence seems clear via their questions.
  • 1. The first phase for many faculty members is simple survival. Teachers strive to know how things work; how they fit together and how to make things work. Thusly, the great fear is breaking the technology. The real question is, "How do I use this and why is it important?"
  • 2. The second phase is working on mastery. At this post-staff development phase, teachers are helping each other implement the technology and are excited about the possibilities. They have tried a few Apps, understand the value and feel more secure. The real question is, "How do I find other Apps for my teaching area and how soon can I demonstrate my learning?"
  • 3. The third phase is impact. A realization exists that students are partnering with the teacher to make learning happen. Student-to-student sharing is evident and student-to-teacher sharing is encouraged. The extending question now is, "How can I embed additional technology and how can students help design these ideas with me?"
  • 4. The fourth phase is innovation.At this point teachers and students are oozing out of the classroom all of the time. Authentic connections are expected, enjoyed, and understood as a natural part of the learning. The questions now are, "Can we share this with others; can we create something worthy of a wider audience; can we compete in other arenas beside the classroom?"
  • As my students busy themselves with a C-Span contest, preparing examples for the President's first film festival, and extending their "Monuments, Memorials, and Museums" award winning grant, I am as their teacher seeking new ways to invent herself along side them!