Preparing Future Educators for Tech-Infused Teaching Discussion

Important questions Jennifer.

Jessica Herring-Watson works with pre service teachers and has a wonderful book out with creative ideas. Her post and access to her book is here. (Empowering Classroom Creators)

Jessica is a rockstar! Thanks for sharing this resource!

This is such an important question. To me, it's more about preparing them with the mindset. I understand the challenge that pre-service programs have - they don't know what tools, devices, and software future employers are using. How do you prepare teachers for the wide array of what is out there? The best option is probably to focus on best practices and instructional design with technology so that the learning is the focus and the device/tool can be the how.

This year we have been planning some professional learning for our student teachers that goes into the mindset. We approach instructional design with technology through Liz Kolb's Triple E model and the ISTE standards. Really understanding what those standards mean and what they look like in practice would prepare teachers for any technology landscape. This is also where we start with our 0 year teachers - before we get into the tech.

I would love to hear other thoughts and reflections on this!

I love starting with mindset! Technology is changing faster than we could ever teach. If teachers are starting with the proper mindset they can be prepared for anything! I forget who said it but I heard somewhere the idea of "Marrying the ability, not the tool". If we prepare them for what is possible, then they can always seek the tools that will inevitably come and go.