August 23, 2017

Implementing Change With the Least Resistance

It is no secret education is experiencing a major overhaul and there has been a mind shift of how teachers teach. Education is moving from teacher-centered to student-centered, and technology integration is going to play a pivotal role in that shift.

Technology is quickly becoming the standard in classrooms worldwide; it is becoming the new pencil and paper. Change can be difficult to accept for some and exciting for others. Regardless of how we feel about it, change is happening.
Are you a principal modeling the use of technology by asking staff members to turn in their lesson plans on Google Drive? Are you a teacher who is working towards introducing Chromebooks to your students? Some are set in their ways. However, as we transform the face of education, we must remember that the quality and follow through of implementation is most important.

As uncomfortable as change can be, here are a few suggestions to help you through the process.
Explain the WHY
The goal when implementing anything new for staff and children, is to create a “buy in” mentality.  Your staff and students need to know how the new tools are going to make their lives more efficient and why you feel it’s necessary to utilize.

Phase In
Have you ever walked away from a training or a class feeling like your mind has been blown away by all of the information tossed at you? Avoid overwhelming staff and students by introducing new tools in pieces, focusing on each piece alone until comfort levels are high.

Evaluate and Review
Before moving on to the “next thing”, devise a system that works best for your site to evaluate the benefits.  If everyone agree a tool is non-essential, try something new.

 Change has come, but it does not have to be a fearful and scary experience.  

 Refrences