What are the five things a teacher (any teacher) must DO to implement instructional technology in the classroom?

1. Develop lesson plans that incorporate technology. (For example: Illustrate lectures and presentations with images, list internet sites in reference materials, use technology in classroom presentations and discussions.)
2. Teach students to use technology to help complete tasks. (For example: Suggest that students use spell checking, internet references in papers, charts and graphs in papers, reports, and presentations.)
3. Require all students to use technology to help complete tasks on a regular basis. (For example: Ask students to keep an electronic daily journal, ask students to use the internet to search for information, allow students to use e-mail for information gathering.)
4. Include the use of technology in the grading system. (For example: Use electronic gradebooks, spreadsheets, etc.)
5. Continue to change as newer technology becomes available. (Access the internet on at least a weekly basis, check out your class enrollments from the computer, put course notes on web page for students to access, use computer for presentation and lecture, illustrate data collection on site with use of computers and technology, etc.)

What are the five things a teacher (any teacher) must KNOW to implement instructional technology in the classroom?

1. The importance and advantages of educational technology.
2. That the available technology is reliable and that technical support is available on short notice.
3. How the available technology relates to the curriculum.
4. How to use the technology that the students will be using.
5. How to structure class time so that some students are using technology while others are doing something else, assuming access to technology is limited.

From AECT listserve discussion 2/96.

Last updated: April 16, 2002

Send ideas for new workshops or comments to: Karen I. Adsit, EdD, Director