Using Tech Lessons When Technology Fails
Technology can be an effective educational tool for supporting learning. Teachers have the unique challenge of keeping up with advances and integrating recent technologies into their lessons. Unfortunately, technology glitches occur more frequently than we’d like. Teachers who are armed with techniques for preventing mishaps and plans for dealing with breakdowns when they occur are one step ahead in successfully integrating technology into their classrooms.
This Week's Tips
Understand Technology to Prevent Breakdowns (Monday)
Educate yourself before using new technologies in the classroom. A good rule of thumb is to make every effort to prevent technological difficulties before they occur. Complete an abbreviated version of the lesson by doing a dry run on the equipment. By walking yourself through the lesson components, you will be more prepared to deal with malfunctions or unexpected software behaviors, should they occur.
Determine Troubleshooting Steps for Technology Lessons (Tuesday)
Create an action plan to deal with technical glitches. Determine the steps you will take to quickly and efficiently solve technology problems when they occur. Ask the school technology specialist to prepare a “tip sheet” for items to check when faced with technical difficulties. Common troubleshooting steps include closing down the software application or the entire system and rebooting. Make arrangements ahead of time to check out a standby unit, possibly on a rolling cart, to continue your lesson with the substitute equipment. Also, keep the telephone number to your system’s support desk handy.
Create a Team of Tech Savvy Students (Wednesday)
Organize a student service organization of technology assistants. Provide technologically advanced students with the opportunity to serve as leaders. They will provide a valuable service to your school’s teachers and students. These individuals should be trained by the school’s technology specialist to assist, provide support, and troubleshoot as needed within the school day. The student assistants can also help by performing maintenance tasks needed for the technology equipment.
Have a Back-Up Lesson Plan for Technology Breakdowns (Thursday)
When all else fails, have an alternative (or emergency) lesson plan ready. Be prepared for disruptions, by printing all presentations on hard copies as back-ups. Have a worksheet available that engages students in similar problem-solving activities to those in the technology lesson. If your lesson is an Internet assignment, have at least one resource printed out for students to read and use.
Solve Technology Lessons as a Learning Community (Friday)
View technology breakdowns as an opportunity for community-building. Ask the class to work together to solve the problem. Technology, when it works and when it breaks down, allows students the opportunity to practice real-life problem-solving skills. The role of the teacher can now shift from teaching to helping students make connections through trial and error and hands-on exploration. Don’t panic when technology breaks. Instead, involve and encourage students in the exploration of a solution.
