Having a conversation really works!

I was scheduled to present at HC summer institute yesterday. My presentation focused on utilizing iMovie to assist with behavior management programs in the schools. After I presented my idea, my plan was to have the participants actually spend some time creating an iMovie with me. Well, I found out the night before that computers were not available for me to use...so I would have to present without that component. Well, I really got nervous! How was I going to talk for 75 minutes and not bore the participants to death!!! Luckily, our previous week showed a great example of how to just have a conversation. So, that's what I did. I talked about how the idea came up, what we decided to do and I used my presentation as supplemental information to what I was saying. They didn't have to even really look at the screen. And, when they did, they were easily re-directed to my conversation. Needless to say, things went over great. I even had to stop myself for going OVER the time limit. What a wonderful lesson and great application of the concept to boot.

It works...and, I definitely plan to implement this concept in all future presentations.

Marketing the product: true technology integration

Marketing the product...what exactly does this mean. I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I'm learning about technology integration and how this really applies to the school system I work in. Unfortunately, I don't believe "the product", technology integration, is really being marketed well. I understand the struggle with budgeting concerns. However, when are the school systems going to really look at what the research is saying about the digital natives and how it is imperative to begin technology integration at all levels to ensure the success of our children? I also thought about how there are many school administrators who say they support the technology initiative and yet do very little to support it's integration into every classroom.

Perhaps, technology educators need to spend more time "marketing the product". We have to be the voice that local government members hear when they are proposing budget cuts that impact school technology programs. Perhaps we need to be the voice that administrators hear in the lunch rooms discussing all of the great ways we are integrating technology and how it truly impacts our students. And, what is needed to fully integrate technology programs. Perhaps we need to be the voice at the PTA meetings that presents a united effort (Parents, Teachers and Administrators) in providing the tools that our children need in order to be more successful in a technology infused society.

Perhaps we need to think of a new marketing plan that shares research, documentation and ideas of how we can effectively integrate technology into every classroom, before it's too late.