What do you do if you're a teacher preparing for the integration of technology in the classroom?

1 Assess your needs

The first step is to assess your needs and goals as a teacher and a learner. What are the learning outcomes you want to achieve with your students? What are the skills and competencies you want them to develop? How can technology help you and your students reach those goals? You can use various tools and frameworks to help you identify your needs, such as the SAMR model, the TPACK framework, or the ISTE standards. These can help you evaluate how technology can enhance, transform, or redefine your teaching and learning.

2 Explore your options

The next step is to explore your options and find out what types of technology are available and suitable for your classroom. There are many different kinds of technology you can use, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, podcasts, videos, games, simulations, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more. You can also use various online platforms and tools, such as learning management systems, digital portfolios, blogs, wikis, social media, collaborative documents, quizzes, polls, surveys, and more. You can research online, visit other classrooms, attend workshops, or join online communities to learn more about the different options and how they can be used effectively.

3 Plan your lessons

The third step is to plan your lessons and integrate technology into your curriculum and instruction. You need to consider how technology can support your pedagogy and your students' learning styles and preferences. You also need to align your technology use with your learning objectives and assessment strategies. You can use various models and strategies to help you plan your lessons, such as the 5E model, the flipped classroom, the project-based learning, or the blended learning. These can help you design engaging, interactive, and meaningful learning experiences with technology.

4 Prepare your resources

The fourth step is to prepare your resources and make sure they are ready and accessible for your classroom. You need to check the availability, functionality, and compatibility of the devices, software, and internet connection you will use. You also need to organize and manage your digital resources, such as files, folders, links, bookmarks, passwords, and backups. You can use various tools and apps to help you prepare your resources, such as cloud storage, file sharing, password managers, or backup services. These can help you store, access, and share your resources easily and securely.

5 Train yourself and your students

The fifth step is to train yourself and your students and develop the skills and confidence to use technology effectively. You need to update your own knowledge and skills and learn how to use the technology you have chosen. You also need to teach your students how to use the technology safely, responsibly, and ethically. You can use various resources and methods to help you train yourself and your students, such as online courses, tutorials, videos, webinars, podcasts, blogs, or peer mentoring. These can help you learn and practice new skills and techniques with technology.

6 Evaluate and improve

The sixth and final step is to evaluate and improve and monitor the impact and effectiveness of technology in your classroom. You need to collect feedback and data from yourself, your students, and other stakeholders. You also need to analyze and reflect on the results and outcomes of your technology use. You can use various tools and methods to help you evaluate and improve, such as rubrics, surveys, interviews, observations, portfolios, or analytics. These can help you measure and improve your teaching and learning with technology.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?