Journal 7

"Coach, Nurture, or Nudge: How do you learn technology best?"
By Kimberley Ketterer


This was an interesting article about how educators are integrating technology into their classrooms. As Kimberley Ketterer explains, there are three different ways in which teachers are developing technological additions to their lessons in their classrooms. The first is called "The Coaching Style". With this style, the educator feels completely comfortable integrating technology as long as they have a coach to assist them. They are willing to take risks and work collaboratively with colleagues on lesson plans. The next style is called "The Nurturing Style". With this style, they need to have someone with them for all aspects of the creation and design of lesson plans. They have the will to integrate technology, but lack the confidence and need all the extra support that they can get. The last style is call "The Nudging Style". With this style, the educator is really stuck in their ways of teaching and needs to be nudged into learner technological advancements. They need to be pushed to learn why technology in the classroom is so important. This style probably pertains to older teachers that have been with the profession a while.

Questions:
1.) Which style will I be?
I think that I would fit into "The Nurturing Style". I really am excited to learn about technology and want to make it a big part of my classroom, but might need some support until I am more confident.

2.) Which style is the best?
I really think that everyone does things differently and learns differently, so I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer. Of course the use of technology is great in the classroom, and every educator does have his or her own comfort level. I just think that as long as you are willing to give it a try, you might learn to like the new ways of doing things.