Teachers are struggling with new educational technology. How can you ensure they are effectively trained?

One thing I always found worked well was setting aside time - we used to run a weekly digital drop in that colleagues could come for support on any tech they were trying to use. We also used the time to introduce a new tool or piece of tech in 5 mins or less, model how it could be used and share the benefits. Finding tech that can work for the individual teacher and their needs is vital. A one size fits all approach just isn’t going to work and if pitched at a level that isn’t appropriate for their needs or ability and confidence levels then it’s pointless.

New educational technology can be hard to learn quickly as we adjust to the old ones and make it our habit. Hence, in order to get the most out of the training, make sure that you tailor it to the teachers. Every person has a different way of learning, and thus you need to understand what kind of content, amount of learning, and approach of teaching suits each teacher and give them the training accordingly. Some may prefer more videos, while others may prefer the training in all text. Some may require theory, and some may ask for more practicals. Hence, understand individual needs and offer training as per the requirements to help each teacher grasp the technology effectively.

As a teacher myself, it was challenging to adapt to the new technology involved with education. However, what helped me was: 1.reaching out to people who could help 2.not feeling anxious about making errors 3.experimenting on my own till I learnt. We live in a world where changes happen every day and if one doesn't put in effort to stay abreast, one can go astray.

Yes, having a tailored Training will help teachers to gain new skills in using educational technology. However, it should be goal and outcome-oriented. Teachers should be able to put it into practice.

Algo que considero bastante eficaz é a colabora??o. O resultado da capacita??o é muito mais efetiva quando envolvemos os educadores no processo, dando voz e identificando suas expectativas e necessidades.

Offering training to the teachers isn't enough to help them adjust to the new technology quickly. You need to be there to offer them support. This means that you need to clear their doubts, help them understand any concepts that they find difficult, teach them how to apply the technology in real-life situations, and guide them to solve technical issues. Make sure you have mentorship programs, regular check-ins, short fun tests, and courses to keep them motivated and offer them the right support they need to learn the new educational technology in a better way.

The true essence of training for a new educational technology comes when you go beyond theoretical knowledge. This means that you need to offer hands-on practice to the teachers. Make sure to keep more practical hours than theoretical ones, teach the teachers how to utilize the new technology in their tasks, and give them time to experiment. When they learn to use the technology in real-life situations, they will find innovative ways to finish their work faster, understand its advantages and disadvantages, and learn to handle the tools better. Hence, adding practical and experimental hours to the new educational technology helps the teacher understand each tool and its functions effectively.

Hands-on Practice is a must for any training. Ideally, training should be 95% hands-on with 5% Theory or lecture. Hands-on Practice should also include various complex and real-life problems.

Feedback is essential at every stage of training. Proper feedback at the right time can increase the effectiveness of training.

Embracing a feedback loop in training is the best way to learn and improve. When a teacher is learning a new educational technology, it's vital that they get constructive feedback on their work.? After each training session, ask the teachers what worked well, if they faced any issues, and what areas they need to improve on. Listen intently, offer your suggestions, and guide them better into polishing their skills. Keep a regular check on their progress, give them advice if needed, and appreciate their efforts to keep them motivated. When teachers get the right feedback, they will be able to enhance their learning and make the most of their training.

Motivation can play a major role in helping teachers achieve milestones in their educational technology training. When you incentivize learning, you inspire the teachers to accomplish more targets. Words of appreciation, recognition of efforts, awards and certificates, and even small rewards make the teacher feel valued and boost their morale. It increases their confidence and helps them believe that they will learn the new educational technology effectively.

With 20 years in EdTech, I’ve developed a strategy to help educators embrace technology. It starts with understanding their resistance—fear of change. I create tailored training that resonates with each teacher's unique needs and continue support beyond initial training through help desks and regular check-ins. Feedback loops are essential; they refine our approach, ensuring technology integration evolves with educator and student needs. This method transforms skepticism into advocacy, making tech a seamless part of education.

Education is never about one-size-fits-all. I’m not sure how this changes over time and into adult years. Being a techie and a teacher, I understand the importance of tech for teachers. It should have focus on- 1. Appropriate trainings for new tech with constant support and feedback 2. A deep understanding of the usage and how it can alleviate teacher’s responsibilities 3. Brainstorming ideas around how teachers at ground level perceive it (it is more hassle for teachers to learn and implement tech ideas) 4. Dedicated SME for teachers to support on an ongoing basis 5. Run a pilot in one class at one grade level to understand the product and its benefits 6. Give teachers enough time to explore tech and weave into their day to day activities