This development is important and exciting because there is now a critical mass of teachers in an increasing number of schools, districts, states and provinces, and countries who are willing and able to use these new tools to transform the teaching and learning experience. Rather than remaining an isolated experiment by a few trailblazing teachers, whole departments, schools and districts are now adopting interactive whiteboards and other technology products.

It’s one thing to know the features and functions of a product and quite another to use them in a pedagogically appropriate fashion. There are no shortcuts on this journey. Seeing good practice modeled, sharing experiences, reflecting on good teaching practices and applying new learning are all part of internalizing and embedding new strategies and approaches.

Professional development and professional learning communities have never been more important for new and veteran teachers as they work to transform their classrooms into vibrant, technology-enabled learning environments. Acquiring new skills and ingraining a new approach take time and sustained professional development.

For those of you who are well along the way, help some other teachers on their journeys by sharing the strategies and techniques that have worked for you. Don’t forget to share what hasn’t worked as well, to save your colleagues time and frustration.

Teachers can also take advantage of what SMART has to offer. In this issue of the newsletter, you’ll learn about the wealth of resources and support available to you.

It’s not about the buttons you push to make things work – it’s about the limits of the mind, yours and your students.

Bron: Nancy Knowlton, EDCompass newsletter March 2010