Lessons From Kindergarten:
A discussion of how teachers can help expand the uses of technology in each school.

Walk into any kindergarten classroom and you’ll notice banners, signs, the alphabet, numbers, rules, and reminders posted all around the room. The reason is obvious; the teacher understands that students, especially in the early stages of learning, need to be immersed in knowledge and information; they create a learning rich environment. If the learners see it enough, are exposed to it enough, it will sink in.

Great strategy, but not solely because the students are young. Exposure to information is critical any time the learner is responsible for acquiring new knowledge. If not a scientific fact, it certainly is common sense that learners will acquire knowledge more readily the more they are exposed to it.

Consider the monumental changes that have occurred over the past few years with technology in our schools. Apple II GS computers, Bank Street Writer and Number Munchers were all the rage. When teachers needed to contact the principal or a colleague, they hoped to catch them at a good time. The only way to gather resources was to take all of the books on your topic from the library and cart them to your classroom (after, of course, setting up a rotating schedule with your teammates so everyone had access to the books). Now e-mail and the Internet accomplish the same tasks better.

We’ve asked our teachers to adapt to and adopt a new way of doing things, and in a relatively short period of time. What we thought was cutting edge five years ago, is almost laughable now, indicating the rapid course of change. Every year there is more information to consume and knowledge to process. How can teachers make the best use of these resources? There are only so many meetings, in-services, and classes teachers can attend. Teachers need ways to experience this wealth of evolving information while not depriving them of their time.

Schools can use the kindergarten model as a guide to providing teachers with ample exposure to new information. A school technology committee can work with your SBTS to infuse technology throughout your building. Perhaps email is not used much. Decorate a bulletin board in a faculty lounge with information regarding Outlook, including the web site for how to access Outlook from home, or directions for finding the school's folder. A place on a bulletin board or wall for Outlook tech tips or a “Did you know” corner could provide your staff with useful information. The bulletin board could be anywhere, and the topic could be anything.

A banner hung above teacher mailboxes could promote a useful website. Examples of student or teacher products created using specific software could be presented in the halls. Spreadsheets with graphs provide an excellent visual demonstrating technology integration. When you walk into a school with wonderful pieces of student art, you get the feeling that art is valued at the school. Imagine how you would feel walking into a building adorned with samples demonstrating technology integration. Include a short technology piece in your school’s staff newsletter. These tidbits of information need not be cutting edge. Expose everyone to the possibilities of technology.

Learners, regardless of age, become even more skillful when they are immersed in knowledge. Not all knowledge has to come in formal ways. Develop a technology-integrated school by working together to create a technology rich building.