Reading+Reflections,+Technology+Facilitator+Standard+II,+Planning+and+Designing+Learning+Environments+and+Experiences

A technology facilitator's role is to support teachers as they plan and design learning experiences supported by technology. Often, teachers take baby steps with technology by incorporating one new resource or tool into the direct teach part of the class period. In their classrooms, teachers may venture tentatively into the world of Web 2.0 by sharing streaming video of a cell dividing or a live web cam view of the gorilla enclosure at the Bronx Zoo. With one uploaded photo to Gizmos.com, the teacher can animate him/herself and deliver instruction to the class in a completely unique, unexpected way. As kids become noticeably more engaged in the lessons, they demonstrate a need to interact with and become involved with the technology themselves.

When educators are empowered by the partnership of technology facilitators and leaders, they will make the commitment to meeting the needs of today’s students, and an evolution in classroom teaching occurs. Instead of pulling dozens of books from the library on a topic of study, facilitators can help teachers create a Delicious account in order to create appropriate and useful bookmarks that are accessible on any computer for students to use to explore or research a specific topic. Student products can be generated simply with Photo Story or online Comic Strip creators. Glogster EDU allows educators and students to create interactive digital posters that reflect learning. Students could post works in progress on a Wiki or upload to Google Docs. Fellow classmates can log in to view and comment on one another’s work.

Perhaps the most treacherous territory for the Digital Immigrant to explore is incorporating Web 2.0 tools and resources for thinking and problem-solving processes. Natives have grown up thinking and working with these tools and do not find them foreign at all. In fact, sites like Webspiration and Mindmeister are intuitive to many learners. A collaborative visual map is created in no time. Video conferencing tools such as Skype and InPerson could be used to facilitate discussion and/or demonstrations across campuses, states, countries, and even hemispheres. Technology facilitators' feedback can help teachers realize that with the use of Web 2.0, the world has become significantly smaller.

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). //Iste\'s technology facilitation and leadership standards, what every k-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Intl Society for Technology in educ.