Here we are at the end of another school year. For me, it marks the end of my 37th year in education, and I still feel the excitement of the end (and of a beginning) of a school year. My first seventeen years, I was an elementary and middle school teacher. The last twenty years I have been working with instructional technology needs from our school board office. So, I have … [Read more...]
What Is Instructional Technology?
Members of the VSTE Board of Directors will be taking time to periodically share their ideas and passions with the VSTE membership. In this post, Board Member Tim Stahmer muses on the meaning of instructional technology. A primary mission of VSTE is, of course, to help empower educators to make great use of technology for teaching and learning. Many of our members even have … [Read more...]
The Word Change (Quick, Find the Exit!)
Members of the VSTE Board of Directors will be taking time to periodically share their ideas and passions with the VSTE membership. In this edition, Board Member Josh Long provides ideas for implementing personalized learning. Changing the way we teach is a difficult task. Asking anyone to change something they have been doing for a long period of time creates tension and … [Read more...]
Change Is Hard: Tips for a New Tech Coach
Change is hard. Resistance to change is hard. Staffing changes at schools are hard. Being a new teacher, or a new student at a school is hard. Being a new ITC (Instructional Technology Coordinator in Arlington Public Schools, similar to ITRTs. ) at a new school is equally hard, but recognizing some of the challenges, expectations, and possible limitations that may await you at … [Read more...]
No Longer the Sage on the Stage
Members of the VSTE Board of Directors will be taking time to periodically share their ideas and passions with the VSTE membership. For this edition, Board Vice Chairperson Michael Speidel discusses his own path to personalized learning. No Longer the Sage on the Stage. I have long been an individual who believes that, if you would like your school to change its … [Read more...]