Using an online learning platform is sometimes intimidating for teachers but we often assume that students are ready for technology. We hear that students of today are the technological generation and excel at the use of technology. But, the reality is that the extent of technology use by many students may be social media, texting friends and online gaming. They may have more apps installed than teachers but when it comes to the skills needed in an educational setting many students are lacking and do not understand the use of educational apps. Surprisingly, they are also not very good at…

The use of  technology is everywhere in society today and yet there is often a resistance to using technology in the classroom on a day to day basis. Research shows that technology used correctly is an effective way to increase student learning and that students tend to be more engaged when technology is included as part of a classroom lesson. Students are more interested in lessons when they are able to use technology to personalize learning and are far more likely to retain information. So why are we so reluctant to include technology in our classrooms or even switch to…

Moving to an online learning platform can be intimidating and disconcerting but by applying a few simple guidelines, can be made much less unsettling. Most of us did not set out to be a good online teacher or even an online teacher at all! We have spent many years in classrooms and have developed a certain comfort level . We are not comfortable or experienced with online platforms and have not yet decided what is good or bad or even if online classrooms are needed.  Most of us don't know how to teach online and may not even know how…