Resistance by teachers

I think that any, if not all, of the resistance to using technology has to do with one thing…change. Everyone on some level is resistant to change, afraid of the unknown, not to mention the time it takes to learn something new (I can say that based on personal experience :)) but I am happy to report that I am not resistant! Maybe that is because all of this is part of my master’s program. This is a course I have to take so I am forced to learn about the integration of technology if I want to pass the class, or maybe it is the confidence that Mrs. Sullivan has placed on us to “just do it” like we know how :) either way I am grateful that I am learning so much because I don’t think that I would have done this on my own, which leads me into the “dealing with teachers who may be resistant to using technology in the classroom.” I found this YouTube clip (while searching for something else) that does a pretty good job of expressing first the frustrations of technology and then the benefits of change and ways to “minimize resistance” The creator shares five ways to minimize resistance: 1) Properly communicate why change is necessary 2) Educate them about new products 3) Patiently demonstrate (this is my personal favorite because we can’t ask other people to do what we don’t do/use ourselves…model what you expect!) 4) Offer support, being eager to help without hurting feelings :) 5) Offer incentives by demonstrating the benefits It’s all about UNDERSTANDING and COMMUNICATION! Watch the clip…