Schools across the planet are going through a growth spurt of types, which can be both painful and inevitable. I am speaking, of course, about technology integration. Perhaps your course is having a COW (Computer on Wheels) cart once weekly or perhaps every pupil in your college is holding an iPad and administrators are still projecting around the dreaded term"going paperless." No matter the amount of technology integration, most of us appear to be in some state of transition toward new technologies at any particular time. The painful truth, however, is that however many professional development sessions we get or the number of tools we're granted, many adults struggle to adapt to new technologies. We approach the new school year entirely aware that our pupils will hack on the press and flip it to their deviant applications before we as educators learn how to turn the device . The remedy for this issue is straightforward. It is time to take a page out of our pupils' playbook. We need to jump quickly over the hurdles of trepidation, fear, and distrust, in order to come out ahead in the technology race.

Beat the Fear of New Technology

Not unlike the 5 Stages of Loss and Grief, all people (not just adults) go through a series of predictable reactions when confronted with new technology. Knowing that these stages are the same for everyone and that it's not just you against the world, you can start to move through the stages more quickly. You can learn to follow the lead of your students and turn fear into excitement and ultimately, acceptance.

Stage 1- Denial

As teachers, we work hard to hone our craft. Year to year we make small adjustments to the curriculum, our lesson plans, and our classroom management systems in order to maximize our efficacy. Therefore, it can feel like a real shock when administrators declare an abrupt and sweeping change, such as a paperless classes, and 1:1 technology integration (where each student works on a device, whether it is a computer, tablet, or even their phone). Many teachers will experience an automatic response to the news. The general reaction is"This is not going to get the job done!"

It turns out this is a normal reaction toward new technology. Even children, who seem flexible and enthusiastic about every new wave of technological development, go through an initial uncertainty. The key to successful technology adoption is to accept that you will feel frustrated and scared. It is normal. Simply acknowledging your fear can help you move through this phase more quickly. The last thing you want is to let the fear take over and for paralysis to set in. It's OK to say"I'm freaked out and I really don't enjoy this." But don't stop there. Move past the fear and try the technology.

Stage 2- Bargaining

"They could put this in my classroom, but they can not make me use it!" Maybe you'll tell yourself that you will learn the bare minimum. You'll use the technology during a principal's observation of your class, or you'll use it in the first week of school and then put it away and go back to your regular, proven, routines. Bargaining isn't actually a bad thing in this situation. It can smooth the pathway toward actually using the new device. Even technology enthusiasts will say"I'll try using this but when it does not work for me personally, I'm not planning to pursue it." As a teacher, tell yourself you may provide the technology a try. If you do not enjoy it, then you may use it as quickly as possible, however you'll be giving yourself permission to check it out with no heavy feeling of danger.

Stage 3- Experimentation

This is the secret point to effective technology adoption. It is the figurative turning point for the mindset for a technology consumer. As soon as you permit yourself permission to experiment with all the technologies and really start clicking it (if it's a new device like an iPad or a fresh site like Edmodo.com) it is by way of experimentation which we actually conquer our fears.

While experimenting with the new technologies you will reach a roadblock. Your frustration could spike, your anxiety may flare up again, but do not let this stop you. Trust that you won't harm the device by simply clicking on it. You may always reboot, restart, or reload. Start looking for a help button, consumer manual, as well as YouTube tutorial movies that may enable you to overcome these roadblocks. As you experiment, maintain an open mind and try to find anything interesting or beneficial to you.

Stage 4- Excitement

More frequently than not, experimentation using a brand new tool will direct teachers to become enthused about the program for their own classroom. Teachers are by their own nature creative and innovative men and women. We constantly look at substances having an eye for adaptation and distinction for our pupils. It's very likely you will start to consider ways this new instrument will fit right into your classes as you're experimenting with it. Conversations with different educators are crucial to ironing out the facts and paving the way toward real application on your course. Research the technology online and examine instructor sites and testimonials for to know the product much better and see how others are employing it effectively in their courses.

Stage 5- Acceptance

The quicker you can move yourself during the preceding phases, the more quickly you will feel confident with the newest technology. Acceptance means you're all set to compose this technology in your lesson plans, optimize its usefulness, and get the most from the initiative to the sake of your pupils.