Perhaps the most obvious and most commonly stated challenges to integrating innovative technology into the classroom…

Funding
It is so hard to request or even suggest the idea of upgrading or improving the ancient hardware/software that already exists in schools. With all of the outrageous financial educational expense legislation is putting out there, which continues to minimize personnel, it is hard to justify bringing in current technology resources. Keeping in mind that for at least the past 5 years people have been losing their jobs in education.

Resources
From my understanding/point of view, it is only in very recent years that there has been “usable” technological resources available for the K-2 learner. A tablet (light weight and hands on interactions) is a very reasonable device and seemingly appropriate applications have only recently begun to come to light or perhaps even be developed.

Awareness
Often it is portrayed that technology is a “back-burner” concern, it is an additive, or something extra to teach other then the curriculum. Because of its seemingly lack of importance on a students educational experience, time spent researching, exploring, and understanding technology for the classroom is at a minimal at best. Therefore, the awareness of the rich resources that are available are shadowed, sadly. Perhaps personal school experiences of learning to type in high school with the scarf over fingers or pressure from testing, etc.

Willingness to change/adapt/support
“Teachers already know what works for their students and that does not require technology! Computers have games and uncensored internet; that is not a learning tool! There is not enough funding to get a support technician. Sure, you can try it on your own and then share your experiences with others.” These are all thoughts I’ve personally experienced or heard in response to thoughts on technology.

…who is also a 2013 graduate of the UNC MEDX program and current Kenan fellow!

STEM\paperless classroom\interaction\authentic experiences\teachable time\etc.
Recently, I had the awesome idea of having one-to-one tablets for the fifth graders in our school (I’m graduating to 5th grade this coming school year). My school is in the process of being a recognized STEM school and we have identified the lack of technology being integrated into our lessons. I thought with the right resources we could vastly improve our technology integration. When I presented the idea to my principal, she was fine that I bring it up with my new team and see what they felt. The team seemed pretty excited about it. Except one teacher! Initially, she came off as a bit resistant but I later came to realize that she balances my “head in the clouds” ideas with reality. So I went to share with my principal that the team was alright with perusing the idea and that is where I have had to stop. My next step would be to address our district technology coordinator but I was asked to wait on that.

It was refreshing to know that my new team with varying teaching experiences willing to embrace this idea and I hope to be able to follow through with the plan. One of my goals for “next steps” in this process is to learn from others that are using edmodo in their classrooms. If you do, please share any Ah’s or cautionary tales below. Personal experiences are very helpful in helping me to know where to go next