Using technology in the classroom is a little bit about skill, and a lot about being a daring tight rope walker on a high wire.  It has incredible thrills and engagement for all, when it works. But when it doesn’t……. your fall from on high can resemble falling off the high wire and into elephant poo.  Most of using technology in the classroom is planned out and prepared for during instructional preparation.  For this reason, technology use should not be a risky proposition.  However, we all know too well that computers are unpredictable.  Screens freeze, the internet goes down, servers become overwhelmed, and let’s face it- something I can only call tiny computer goblins often take over.  For all of these reasons, your regular type A plan-everything personality, may find many situations in a technology classroom unsettling.  In order for technology integration to work, you must adopt a certain mindset.  The thinking goes something like this:

• Something will go wrong everyday and it will be ok
• From each failure will come an instance of learning for you and your students
• Each day will come with unexpected rewards in tiny ways
• You didn’t become a teacher just to teach content
• Good teaching can happen no matter what or where
• You are NOT the most knowledgeable thing in the classroom, you are a talented education facilitator
• Student collaboration is essential to the environment
• If you must choose between believing if it was student error or computer error, give your student the benefit of the doubt
• Your students may be able to fix your tech problem

Your mindset is always an integral part of your classroom.  You are adding an unpredictable element, technology, to your classroom upon which your instruction and your students’ learning relies.  The way you mentally approach technology integration in your classroom will make it or break it for you and for your students.  Remember: the learning process should be enjoyable for all with or without technology.  I truly hope your daring tight rope walk is an incredible success enjoyed by all.