{"id":5151,"date":"2016-10-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/?p=5151"},"modified":"2016-10-10T09:36:12","modified_gmt":"2016-10-10T14:36:12","slug":"10-tips-for-introducing-educational-technology-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/10-tips-for-introducing-educational-technology-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Implementing EdTech in School Districts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today\u2019s K-12 teachers and administrators face an uphill battle when it comes to getting\u2014and staying\u2014on top of digital developments that can affect how they teach and the population they\u2019re teaching. With the world of technology changing constantly, how can school districts implement strategies to help the staff change with it?<\/p>\n

John Rogerson, who received his Master\u2019s in Educational Administration Leadership<\/a> from Capella University in 2004 and is now principal of Fox Meadow Middle School in Colorado Springs, has spent a great deal of time researching this issue. In this article, Rogerson offers \u00a0suggestions for schools struggling to incorporate technology in the classroom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q. Why is it important for teachers to be current in technology?<\/h4>\n

A. We need to teach our students with the tools they actually use now and will use in their future careers. That doesn\u2019t mean we should abandon basics, but there\u2019s no reason not to use new tools to teach the basics.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q. Why do many schools struggle with this?<\/h4>\n

A. Part of it is what I call \u201cplanning paralysis.\u201d Many schools are way behind. They\u2019re talking about installing interactive whiteboards when these are already almost obsolete. They\u2019re still discussing what 21st<\/sup> century skills are and how they should be taught; meanwhile, the first generation of the 21st<\/sup> century is entering high school.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also often the case that teachers and administrators don\u2019t know what\u2019s out there, or how to go about finding new things. Or they may think new technology is too expensive. It can be, but if you\u2019re not in a wealthy district, you just have to think outside the box.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q. What advice do you have for districts that want to explore newer technologies?<\/h4>\n

A. Much of my advice is rooted in truly understanding what you need from technology and how your teachers will react before bringing it in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bring in new technology for the right reasons<\/strong>. Do it to prepare students for their future studies and careers. Don\u2019t do it because you think you can get publicity from the local paper or TV station. Getting some positive press because your school is making an effort to be technologically up to date is good for the school and the school district, but it shouldn\u2019t be the main goal. Questions to ask internally:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n