I think the idea "Use it or Lose it" is is a mantra I need to keep in the back of my head. As I'm learning new tools in this program, I need to be sure I'm USING them/applying them. If not, I may never use them (which follows Cuban's idea in Oversold and Underused that teachers are not USING computers to their ultimate capacity).
If I don't get it in my plans and DO it in the classroom right away, I may forget the design idea. If I don't create a database lesson this quarter or next, I may never! I also think sharing the tools with others helps me remember them.
I'll continue sharing at our monthly ESL Technology Committee Meetings where ESL teachers come with questions and we, as co-chairs of the tech. committee, try to provide answers/guidance & inspiration. Let's USE these things -alphasmarts, laptop carts etc...!
I agree with your use it or lose it idea. I wonder where in the unit or lesson design would be a good place to think about what the best tools are for the task. Maybe that would be a reminder to keep checking out the new "stuff."
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