Feed the tech hungry

I just came across these comments in a blog on the rise and fall of interactive white boards

My years as both a classroom teacher . . .have taught me three key strategies for effective implementation of transformational instructional technology:

• Feed the hungry, not the full: If your teachers aren’t asking for the technology, odds are they won’t use it. That is, if they can’t describe how new tools will enhance instruction, they aren’t really looking to transform their instructional practice.
• One teacher at a time: One instructional tool, one teacher. Technology intended to transform teaching was never intended to be shared. Since full adoption of any new tool that presumes to change one’s practice requires full commitment, invest in a permanent installation in one classroom instead of a school-wide implementation. Don’t go 1:1 across the board. Pick the early adopters--the ones who are hungry.
• Cluster: Cluster technology by grade, subject, hallway, or building. Cluster the technology in a manner that is in line with existing channels of communication. Organic or not, adoption of new technology is hard, and the more colleagues working together, the more likely successful adoption. Since true collaboration occurs between individuals with established trust, introduce technology that capitalizes on these preexisting channels.

At the end of the day, implementation of any technology tool requires buy-in from the teacher. Make sure teachers are a partner in all steps of product creation and adoption. Although the ultimate fate of the IWB is not yet sealed, its short history offers valuable lessons for educators and edtech entrepreneurs alike.

Read the entire blog post here https://www.edsurge.com/n/2013-10-22-lessons-from-the-downfall-of-interactive-whiteboards

I like a lot of it.