Engagement is Key!

The world around us is engaging students, so we run the risk of becoming trivial if we refuse to participate in trying to engaging students. - Tom March

Need to focus on Type II/Disruptive uses of Technology:

• eCommunication (the Read/Write Web)
• Project-based Learning with Multimedia
• Inquiry & Information Access (research)
• Digital Storytelling
• WebQuests
• Digital Content & Tools

(Back)

What are your Teacher Practice Challenges?

Teacher resistance -- 

philosophical

resistance to change

fear of the unknown

no experience to base expectations on

fear of public failure

Adult learners not as comfortable with the learning curve

"Just show me what works" as opposed to truly understanding the concepts

True and legitimate differences in pedagogical philosophies

While it can be transformative, it doesn't have to be.  "I don't need them to buy into the philosophy, I need them to make incremental changes."

Lack of PD (professional development)

Access to resources

Teachers aren't being led / lack of leadership

classroom management / students distracted

Teachers understanding that it is a student led classroom

Teacher serving two masters: "teach to the test" vs. engage the students

content filtering // access to content not available