Based on Keller’s ARCS model (2005) an analysis of the teachers in the organization indicated that their attention was initially low, relevance was initially low, confidence initially low and possibly variable and satisfaction was moderate.
I have been trying to encourage my teammates as well as my co-workers to use the Promethean board and smart board with their class. I have set up training, where I brought in district personnel to teach the educators how to use both interactive whiteboards. Additionally, the district technology instructor offered to come back and do one on one instruction with the teachers as well as plan a lesson and demonstrate how to do a lesson with the class. Initially, there appeared to be a lack of interest. Some teachers came to the workshops, but never used the Promethean Boards, citing they did not know how to create flipcharts or how to effectively use the board. Others felt that they did not need to learn something new.
To gain the attention of the teachers I would ask administration to utilize the interactive whiteboards during faculty meetings. Relevance can be demonstrated at a faculty meeting to show how interactive whiteboards can be used in the classrooms with all learners and provide differentiated instruction and whole group interactive activities.
Confidence can be gained by having small learning communities where teachers could help each other with using the new technology. I would survey the teachers utilizing a SWOT Analysis, then pair up the teachers based on that information. Teachers could meet monthly to exchange ideas and work in a comfortable environment with each other creating or adapting flip charts and notebooks.
I would also advise the teachers of resources like Promethean Planet and the district server space, where teachers upload completed flipcharts that can be used for the subjects that they are currently teaching and are aligned with the standards that they are using. They simply need to use the new technology and not have to create anything.
Satisfaction can be demonstrated on a monthly basis among the learning communities and a demonstration or mini workshop during a faculty meeting by a learning community.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
The use of interactive boards during faculty meetings is a great idea. If they see first hand how they work and how easy it is to incorporate into their lessons then maybe they won't be so apprehensive about using them.
ReplyDeleteBravo, bravo!!! Modeling is such a great way to gain acceptance of new technologies and you were were so smart to get the assistance of the administration. This gave real credibility to the possibilities and importance of the use of the boards. Have your administration always been so supportive in areas of technology? They should be commended for their participation!
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