I’m not sure if it’s because I have been thinking about it for the past few days since our last online lecture, and Miss Kiefer’s post about jumping in, but I was extremely engaged by a blog that I happened to stumble upon. Kristin Hokanson created a post titled: Supporting Reluctant Swimmers-or letting them drown. I enjoyed this blog soo much for many reasons. First of all Kristin described integration of technology into a classroom in one of the neatest ways possible, she compared it to swimming. Not everybody likes swimming, not everybody is a good swimmer, there are a lot of fears and reluctants to even stepping close to water. Sometimes we like swimming but don’t feel comfortable on our own, so we take lessons, or use support devices. Some people are confident and comfortable in the water, and they like to be the lifeguards and supporters to those of whom do not like water or are not strong swimmers. Now if that doesn’t translate exactly to the scenarios school’s are facing everyday in regars to technology in classrooms. (I strongly advise you to read Kristin’s blog however, she does a wonderful job of detailing this analogy)
The next thing I loved about this blog was Kristins outlook on what needs to be done to get those nervous/ reluctant swimmers in the water. I strongly agree with her that major component in a smooth transition is the administrators. She says “administrators must make technology a priority if we are to get teachers to “take the time” to explore new things- it is one of the things that is driving me to complete my administrative certification. Provide opportunities for teachers to see what is possible (take them to the pool), Give them the skills they need (the swim lessons). Provide support for them and swim along side the teachers. Only then will you have competent swimmers.”
I think back to Gill’s post about jumping in, and feel like now I’m starting to understand that you don’t just have to do that. You can start by “getting your feet wet”. Eventually a desirable vision for schools in the future is to have technology in classrooms like AIR coming from Marcie Hull who said it’s like it is just always present and you don’t even recognize it exists.
I really like your explanation of technology integration being like swimming. I think that many teachers overwhelm themselves by thinking that technology integration means becoming an expert overnight. However, this analogy recognizes that it can be a slow transition.
[...] They Jump 15 06 2010 I don’t know if it is because it is getting nice out, but Gill and Jayla’s blogs comparing jumping into a pool and jumping in with technology really resonated with me. I just [...]
Thanks Anne, I know the analogy just really popped for me, and like you said Janelle, maybe because it’s summer time, and i’m ready for swimming haha who know’s but it works!