Do what you do best

By David Benson, Educational Technology Consultant

Recently I attended a professional conference designed by educators for educators. I must admit, I enjoy the rare opportunities when I can get out and see what other educators are doing around us. Indeed, good conferences send one home a bit refreshed and with new ideas. The one I attended achieved just that.

At the conference there was one speaker in particular who greatly influenced my thinking. As a matter of principle I don't usually visit a speaker more than once, since I want to gather as much information as possible, but this fellow always seemed to approach the idea of classroom technology integration from a very practical viewpoint a viewpoint any teacher can appreciate.

I suppose it helped, too, that the speaker is an experienced teacher and administrator.

What I most appreciated about this speaker was his method. He didn't stand in front and show us all the great things he had done or the great things done by a few of his select students. Instead he talked about the great things our students can do if we keep in mind their needs and their abilities something I know we all do anyway.

As I listened to his philosophy, I was reminded of a presentation I did on some imaging software. One participant questioned the educational use of the program, stating that it was so simple most students will have it mastered within hours and then, she asked, "What do I do with them after that?" I thought for a moment and then asked back, "What's the purpose of integrating technology into the classroom? Is it to keep the students occupied or is it to give them a tool to produce something?"

In the final analysis the speaker I heard was someone who said keep doing what you have always done: think of your students first when it comes time to integrate something new. After all, who knows them best?