My middle school is so far off the cutting edge of technology we're not even on the knife. We just got computers into all the classrooms -- two per room -- last year. In mid year SmartBoards were installed in all the special ed and 6th grade classrooms, but our principal did not realize they need projectors and cables to make them work. We're promised those by September.

I work with a staff that thinks teaching students to do PowerPoint presentations is integrating technology into their lessons. I had to teach two of my colleagues how to use the school's Outlook email system last year.

Our school is refoming into a collection of small teacher-directed learning communities (its astounding how we can be so forward and so backward simultaneously). I've convinced my community of six teachers (five classes) that we need to push forward, at least into the late 20th century, and really start to use technology in our teaching and learning.

I've got a nice PLN on Twitter and they've taught me a lot, then I went to NECC and learned a lot more. There is so much I want to try (Audacity, Edmodo, Animoto, Skype and more) and get my colleagues to try, but I know I have to start off slowly so as not to scare them off from the start.

So, what should I introduce them to first? I've shown them Wordle and how easy it is. What should I show them next? Please help.

Thank you.

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I agree. I've been transitioning from one to the other with relative ease. I just have a hard time finding the PC version of the ctrl key.

I'll look into the Mac certification.
The # of computers is not the point, it is how you use what you have. Check out k12online2007 http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=193 to see what I mean. Remember that the local library has computers and that many kids, even in lower socioeconomic circumstances, have cellphones capable of podcasting, blogging, all sorts of learning things. Check out http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/ for ideas.
Unfortunately, my district (NYCDOE) bans the student use of cellphones inside the school. For all the money he's made from technology you'd think the mayor and his marionette chancellor would have a more open policy regarding tech, but it seems they see it like so many dictatorships do -- as a threat.
I thought NY had a pilot project with cell phones in the classroom. Is this program not in effect any longer.
http://tinyurl.com/NY-Cellphone-pilot-program.
I have caught students texting during class, phones ringing, etc and I have to stop teaching. I think once we figure out how to effectively use cell phones they will be accepted. right now students see them as a toy.
The answer is in the article you linked to:

"But there’s a small wrinkle to the Million plan. New York has banned cellphone use in schools, so the Million phones can only be used after class. The policy, enforced stringently in 2006, sounds like it could bruise the Education Department’s plan to give students free rein to use the phone after they win the “rewards.”"

I have no idea if the pilot is still in effect or not. It never made it to my school.
Wait until students figure out the wireless feature of the IPOD touch, another way to bypass cell phone use.
I have yet to see an iPOD touch in my school. My kids use off-market mp3 players. I've been thinking of buying an iPOD touch for myself so we'lll have one more piece of tech in the class.
I wonder if there is a grant that you could apply for to get a classroom set of ipod touches for the school. If you find out about one, let me know to. I've been looking for something like this too.
I have come to the realization that, for me, grant writing is one of Dante's circles of hell. I'll probably have to do a few more to figure out precisely which ring.
you have a smartboard? no fair! you are not that far away as you think.
I have a board. No projector, no cables, and the smartboard is mounted so that it blocks 90% of my blackboard, making the 19th century technology difficult to use. Its like giving a hungry man a picture of a steak.
you definitely need a projector. Well back to square 1 using an overhead projector and making it interactive. Did this in the old days. So much for 21st century technoogy.

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