Engage in Reflective Practice

• blogging / commenting in blogs
• self-inventory / goal-setting
• gathering feedback from students
• building time into lessons to review how they went
• regular peer review and collaboration
• team teaching
• challenging professional development
• mentoring relationships
• online communities of practice
• engage in active learning / be a student
• teachers don't always realize that technology isn't an option any more because it's not pervasive in schools

Professional Development

Professional development needs to have follow-up.  Teaching the skills in a workshop is only the first part of professional development-- teachers need opportunities to try new techniques in the classroom, talk about how they went, and perhaps formulate new strategies.  Teachers often welcome having someone come into the classroom and help as they try!

Professional development that is delivered using technology and collaboration -- rather than focused on technology and collaboration -- allows teachers opportunities to participate as digital citizens. 

Learning the skills is great, but teachers also need support.  Sometimes, one-on-one instruction is valuable.  Time is a critical factor-- teachers need to have the time to prepare for these new experiences, in both professional development and individual planning sessions.  Experienced facilitators and other teachers making themselves available is a valuable addition to professional development sessions.

The Intel Essentials course offers an opportunity for teachers to create lessons that integrate new skills.

Administrators need to encourage or require teachers to use the resources and support staff that are available to them.

Teachers must be expected to use what they learn from professional development -- follow-up must not only support teachers but have a component of enforcement.

How do we get teachers past a fear of failure?

Failure is critical to the learning process. 

Part of establishing a culture for teachers in which failure is acceptable is for administrators and professional development instructors to model failure-- showing teachers that not everything will go smoothly 100% of the time.  Stress the value of having a backup plan and staying flexible.  Teachers should also feel confident and competent with the content and technology.

Support teachers when they make mistakes or have an "off day" -- accept that not every day and every lesson will be perfect, but work to help them learn from their experiences.

Allow students some ownership of the learning process, and support them when they make mistakes.

Don't assume that teachers are afraid -- that may be only an excuse we make for teachers.

Modeling Digital Citizenship

Administrators and central office personnel can't expect teachers to create "Classroom 2.0" without seeing other signs in the school community that such changes are welcome.  School leadership teams need to model effective digital citizenship.

How can administrators lead the way?

• conducting faculty meetings online
• posting announcements to a blog.