Since I returned from San Antonio late Monday night, I’ve had two days with my students as I embrace my shifted paradigm of using technology. I really didn’t realize that I needed to shift my thinking in regards to using technology in the classroom, but I did. And I wish I could pinpoint the one session or the one speaker or the one quote which led to this shift. But I can’t. It is simply a culmination of the entire experience and then stepping back into my classroom with a few ideas to try. So instead, I’ll attempt to share my new paradigm. Thank you for allowing me to sort out some of the thoughts swarming in my mind.
I’m comfortable with technology and I believe it is important to be used in schools; however, I never had taken the last step. That step is using technology to encourage stronger thinking. When we use technology to do the same ol’ thing, we’re not doing it justice. I’m trying to use technology to take the learning in my classroom to a new level.
It’s a shift from being an information-provider to being a person who helps students create their own learning. It’s a shift which puts even more responsibility on the learner for making his/her own meaning. It’s a shift that scares me a bit.
I want to tell them each and every step. I want to make sure they’re getting the information they need. I want to be in control. However, that’s simply not realistic.
The generation of learners we have in our classrooms are ones who should be responsible for making meaning and finding the answers and rising to challenges. Too often, kids are bored and checked out. Did you know 1 student drops out of high school every 9 seconds? This is a serious problem and I believe technology is one defense against the dropout rate.
Yet it’s technology coupled with caring. This essential ingredient of creating a community cannot be ditched in the name of being tech-savvy. The inviting classroom and compassionate teacher must remain. Yet, I’m beginning to see how this kind of environment can be built on-line.
It was sealed when I experienced the energy and excitement radiated by my students.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
Am finally getting to blog reading after NCTE. Love all of your reflections. I totally agree about the tech thing. I heard such smart thinking and have found some very smart tech blogs since returning. The convention seemed to give energy to think in different ways to many of us who attended!
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My teachers are beginning to make a technology shift. It can be a rough road, to be sure.
It lifts my spirits to read what you do with your students and I am urging my teachers to begin their personal shift by reading you blog.
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I don’t know where this fits into your thinking… My son know uses a palm pilot. He is a senior. He is probably the rare kid. He had to get permission from the principal. They are required to have planners. I find it ironic that electronic planners (Palm Pilots) are viewed with doubt, but paper is required.
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