The Middle-Level Teacher Technology Guidebook

20 Questions and 260 Answers

By:
Thomas M. Brinthaupt, Middle Tennessee State University
Jill A. Robinson, Wellsville, NY, School District
Richard P. Lipka, St. Bonaventure University

A volume in the series: Instructional Technology Guidebooks for Educators and Parents. Editor(s): Thomas M. Brinthaupt, Middle Tennessee State University. Richard P. Lipka, St. Bonaventure University.

Published 2019

This guidebook is designed to be the middle-level teacher’s friend in addressing a wide variety of questions regarding the use of educational and instructional technologies. It can serve as a companion and guide through the myriad challenges and opportunities related to the effective use of technology in one’s classroom and school.

A sample of middle level U.S. teachers provided us with detailed answers about their experiences with using technology in their teaching. Specifically, they shared their challenges, barriers, ideas, and suggestions for working successfully with administrators, technology specialists, students, fellow teachers, and parents when teaching with technology. We have organized the teachers’ experiences and recommendations according to each stakeholder.

Rather than recommending or reviewing specific educational technology companies, applications, or tools, we provide a large number of strategies that are “built to last” and should be applicable regardless of the specific tool under consideration. We assume that it doesn’t ultimately matter what the tool or technology is that you’re using—it’s how and why you’re using it for teaching and learning that will determine whether it is successful or not. The “how” and “why” aspects encompass the built-to- last strategies included in this guidebook.

CONTENTS
Preface: Introduction to the Guidebook. PART I: Technology Questions and Issues When Working With School/District Administration CHAPTER 1: What can I do if I’m not permitted to download an app or use a program or resource? CHAPTER 2: What can I do to get a tool or technology approved for use? CHAPTER 3: What can I do to ensure that my students can access blocked sites or materials? CHAPTER 4: What can I do to ensure that I have a voice in my district’s or building’s technology decisions? CHAPTER 5: Are there good strategies for my school or district to use to introduce new technologies? PART II: Technology Questions and Issues When Working With Technology Specialists CHAPTER 6: What should I do if I don’t have a tech person (or my tech person cannot help me)? CHAPTER 7: How can I work best with my tech specialist? CHAPTER 8: How can I get my system or school to hire qualified tech specialists who can work well with me and my colleagues? PART III: Technology Questions and Issues When Working With Students CHAPTER 9: How can I work with my students to help me solve a classroom technology issue? CHAPTER 10: How can I manage my students’ use of their personal devices while in class? CHAPTER 11: How can I utilize my students’ personal devices for instructional purposes? CHAPTER 12: How can I effectively monitor or control what my students will access with their devices while in class? PART IV: Technology Questions and Issues When Working With Fellow Teachers CHAPTER 13: How can I decide to use a specific technology? CHAPTER 14: How can I benefit from the technology experiences and expertise of my fellow teachers? CHAPTER 15: How can I get my school or district to harness the technology experiences and expertise of my fellow teachers? CHAPTER 16: What can I do to help my fellow teachers to use technology? PART V: Technology Questions and Issues When Working With Parents CHAPTER 17: What can I do about my students not having home internet or computer access? CHAPTER 18: What can I do to inform parents about how I am teaching with technology? CHAPTER 19: How can I work with parents to enhance my teaching with technology? CHAPTER 20: What can I do when my students’ parents have questions or concerns about my teaching with technology? PART V1: Supplemental Resources General Teaching-With-Technology Resources Domain-Specific Resources