Revisiting 50 Ways to Encourage the Use of Technology by Maine Learners

Last year's original post.

Last year we brainstormed the following list. Care to discuss the ideas now? Disagree/agree? Change your mind? Any others that should be added? Are we using these approaches in Maine?

50 Ways to Encourage the Use of Technology by Maine Learners

1. Connect at where the learner is, not where we think they should be. (Jim Burke)
2. Use user-friendly applications (JB)
3. It is okay to ask for help and to make mistakes (Michael Richards)
4. Use common language not "geek-speak" (MR)
5. Incorporate technology into familiar situations (MR)
6. Provide compelling and meaningful reasons for learning and using technology (Cynthia Curry)
7. Students can become the handy ambassadors of technology usage. (Kern Kelley)
8. Do not be afraid. (Deborah White)
9. Model you own use of tech tools. (based on Will Richardson at ACTEM) (DW)
10. Remember the words of Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus series, "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!" (DW)
11. Remember what you feel like when YOU learn something new. (Ed Latham)
12. Include an atmosphere of fun and exploration in as many activities as you can. (EL)
13. Never underestimate the power of play. (EL)
14. Get comfortable with students being in charge of their learning with your role being to set things up and assist them on their journey. EL)

Added 7/15/08

15. There is almost nothing that you can do that will "break" your computer. (Mark Spahr)
16. Don't be afraid to play (see #15). (MS)
17. Usually, there is no step-by-step handout that shows you how to do it (see #16). (MS)
18. A great way to get teachers on board is to foster their personal use of the technology. (MS)
19. Your students probably know more about this stuff than you do- get over it and don't be afraid to let them teach you. (MS)

Added 7/16/08

20. Use it all of the time. (Sarah Sirois)
21. Let the students brainstorm ways to integrate. (SS)