What do you do if you want to enhance your teaching by learning new technology skills?

I would utilize resources provided by my Institution. This can include training sessions, instructional design support, and access to software and tools or join professional networks: connect with other educators through professional networks or social media groups focused on educational technology. These communities can provide support, resources, and insights into effective practices.

Well, you have to put your toe in the water. The only way to really test it out is to use it. That is what teaching is all about. I remember my first Kahoot. It went off without a hitch. I was surprised at how easy it was for the students to play along. After that, it was very easy to implement the platform into my teaching plan. Of course there were times when the technology was not cooperative, then you had to learn to adjust. That is probably the most important part of using technology. The only problem with the Kahoot platform is that the students do not talk or listen during the activity. I think it is important not to overuse these tools. I tried to limit the Kahoot to once every two weeks or so.

One time at work, I realized that the lessons weren't as interactive as they could be, especially during online sessions. This lack of engagement seemed to impact the students' learning outcomes negatively. In my experience, addressing these gaps early is crucial for maintaining student interest and improving their overall learning experience. One thing I've found helpful is regularly soliciting feedback from students about their learning experience. This feedback helped me identify specific areas where technology could enhance engagement and comprehension, guiding me to seek out specific tools and solutions.

After realizing we needed better tools to increase student engagement, I set out to research which technologies could help. I needed tools that were both effective and easy to use, as my time for learning new software was limited. In my experience, the best way to find reliable tools was access collective knowledge of the educator community. I visited several educational technology forums and read many blog posts on firsthand experiences with different tools. One thing I've found helpful was focusing on tools that received high praise for their user-friendliness and effectiveness in educational settings. I compiled a list of recommended tools by educators, which significantly narrowed my search and helped me choose the right tools.

I have taken some online classes for some skills. As a teacher, I have done some classes related to teaching the subject that I teach at school, which is English. Except having broaden knowledge in the field, you could also engage with other people who have the same interest as you and collaborate further if you will.

I decided to enhance my digital literacy to better use technology in teaching. I recognized that simply understanding these tools theoretically wouldn't suffice; practical experience was essential. In my experience, online courses are incredibly useful for building a solid skill base. They provide structured learning that self-study doesn't always offer, keeping me accountable and ensuring comprehensive coverage of necessary technologies. One thing I've found helpful is enrolling in educator-specific courses on platforms like Coursera and edX. These courses often include practical exercises with educational software, allowing me to immediately apply what I learned. Dedicating time to these structured courses boosted my confidence.

One thing I have come across in my profession and professional field is that we need to continue educating ourselves, not only in our field, but also in other subjects and topics to help us understand how the world is working and how technology is changing so many aspects and education. Also, we need to incorporate and apply these technologies in all levels of education if you want a better engagement and learning from our students.

What I saw during the days when schools were off and teachers were supposed to teach online (Covid19 days), was learning and teaching collaboratively. Teachers would find new tools to teach effectively like jam board, quizzizz kahoot, etc. ; and help each other learn and practise them. That was amazing! As a School Administrator and trainer, I managed online professional development sessions to help teachers get to know about innovative ideas??and ask questions from each other. The teachers who were good at their technology related skills, helped others get to know more.

I would start with connecting with your EdTech personnel (campus or district). Within my peers, we created a shared google drive with a spreadsheet of tech tools and brief descriptions, then expanded google docs for more specifics/notes/hints/ideas of implementation. Explore conferences with STEM, TCEA, Google, and Apple to "drink from a firehose" of technology. For free classes on basics, consider becoming a Google Certified Teacher, an Apple Teacher or even an Apple Learning Coach. TedEd Talks can also lend inspiration. Once you get started, set up lunch-and-learns with teachers, CTE-tech teachers, librarians and admin that might have different tech perspectives to enrich your own learning and competency. And in the end- ChatGPT it!

It's ok for different classes, or even different years, to use different technology. My more accelerated classes respond well to online assignments, while my struggling students need physical assessments. Some students need to find r squared by hand, while others thrive on Desmos or Sheets commands. As long as your assessments are adaptable to the students' needs (not wants), you should see an accurate portrayal of academic understanding.