10 Things Every Teacher Should Know About Technology

 With the recent emergence of AI, I thought it was fitting to ask ChatGPT to "provide me with a list of 10 things every teacher should know about technology." Here is the bot's response with my edits in bold:

Certainly! Here's a detailed list of "10 Things Every Teacher Should Know About Technology":

1. Digital Literacy is Crucial: Teachers should understand the importance of digital literacy and ensure that students are equipped with essential digital skills. This includes navigating online platforms, using productivity tools, and evaluating information critically.
• It's hard to disagree with anything written here! I actually love that ChatGPT mentioned using productivity tools because it's something that I hadn't previously thought of to use with students.
  
  
2. Adaptability is Key: Technology is constantly evolving, so teachers must be adaptable. Keeping up with new tools and trends ensures that educators can effectively integrate technology into their teaching methods.
• A similar idea was in my original brainstorm but I would add in that you don't need to feel pressure to know EVERY piece of technology out there. If an app or tool is not helpful or  it's difficult to use, ditch it! A lot of technology requires trial and error but I don't think it's worth it to try to use something that isn't the right fit for you! As my students would say, "don't force it!"
  
  
3. Personalized Learning Opportunities: Technology allows for personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs. Teachers should explore adaptive learning platforms and tools that can cater to different learning styles and paces.
• I think technology can be used to adapt to student needs but I have not used a program that follows this suggestion. I know math teachers at my school use various programs that sound similar to this recommendation so I'm sure these technologies exist and maybe they're helpful! My suggestion would be to use technology, especially sites like YouTube or Libby, to help students access the audio versions of texts. Google Read and Write is also a great extension for this! 
• Additionally, technology can be used to give students autonomy in how they express what they know and can do. For instance, some students love to use Canva for projects while I've had other students use Flip to record videos. These assignments also end up being much more enjoyable to grade!
  
  
4. Cybersecurity Awareness: Teachers should be aware of cybersecurity threats and educate students about online safety. This includes protecting personal information, recognizing phishing attempts, and understanding the importance of strong passwords.
• This idea would not have made my list! Besides the fact that I've stopped making my passwords "password123," I don't know much about cybersecurity let alone how to teach anything about it! 
  
  
5. Collaboration Tools Enhance Learning: Utilizing collaboration tools can enhance student engagement and teamwork. Teachers should be familiar with platforms that facilitate group projects, virtual discussions, and peer collaboration.
• This is a great suggestion from ChatGPT that I probably wouldn't have remembered to include. I love Parlay Ideas for this! I don't think I've ever taken a college course that didn't require some kind of discussion board post so I think it's worth it for you to encourage students to practice this crucial skill. On the other hand, I'm wary of moving most discussion online so I think teachers need to balance online discussion with real life discourse! 
  
  
6. Digital Citizenship Education: Educating students about responsible and ethical technology use is crucial. Teachers should integrate lessons on digital citizenship, addressing topics like online etiquette, cyberbullying, and the responsible use of social media.
• I'm realizing that I'm thinking about these suggestions as an English teacher so my first reaction is "How could I possibly fit this into my class?!" But, this would be a great topic for a librarian to work on with students. Online presence can really be a good, bad, or neutral thing. If it's bad, I don't think students realize how that can follow them throughout their lifetime. 
  
  
7. Flipped Classroom Techniques: Embracing the flipped classroom model involves using technology to deliver instructional content outside of class, allowing class time for discussions, problem-solving, and application of knowledge. Teachers should explore tools that support this approach.
• This is an interesting idea and I know a few teachers who used this during the pandemic. On the one hand, having materials available for students who may struggle with attendance seems advantageous. On the other hand, I'm seeing students who, after the pandemic, want all their work to be independent and have little interest in a traditional classroom setting. This shift in student behavior is worrisome to me as we can't all exist in silos and I find it impossible to learn that way.
• I do like this idea for some lessons. I find it really hard to teach students rhetorical analysis especially on the spot. So while I love a think aloud, for this kind of a writing I really need to collect my thoughts. As a result, I've used Loom to create videos of how I would revise student work or strengthen a piece of writing. It's nice that students can use this as a reference anytime they need to.
  
  
8. Accessibility Matters: Ensuring that technology is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, is essential. Teachers should be familiar with accessibility features and tools that make digital content inclusive.
• I would not have thought of this! Technology can really help us see things from another perspective...which is actually another thing teachers should know about technology!
  
  
9. Professional Development is Ongoing: Continuous professional development is vital for teachers to stay abreast of technological advancements in education. Participating in workshops, webinars, and conferences can enhance teaching practices.
• I don't disagree with this but I think the professional development can be more casual. You should explore what works for you and talk to colleagues to get ideas! 
  
  
10. Balancing Screen Time: While technology offers valuable resources, it's important to strike a balance. Teachers should be mindful of screen time and ensure that students engage in a variety of learning activities, both digital and non-digital.
• This was on my original brainstorm. I don't think you have to have the most technologically advanced class for it to be engaging. Putting away the technology can be refreshing. It's hard to balance this when it feels like everything is going digital. For example, the MCAS is now online. Next year, the AP Language and Composition exam will be online as well. We can't fight some of these changes but we can control what happens in our own classrooms. Young people (and adults!) need a reprieve from technology so don't be afraid to go "old school." 

By understanding and implementing these aspects of technology in education, teachers can create a more effective and inclusive learning environment for their students.

It's interesting that ChatGPT claims that using technology can make education more effective...seems a bit biased if you ask me! I hope that you can find ways to use technology (this is a broad term!) to make teaching even more enjoyable and ultimately to make your life easier.

My result after asking StarryAI to "build an image of a person being friendly with a robot."