After reading "What makes a good learning technologist?" by Sarah Horrigan
and "What Makes a Good Technology Integration Specialist" by Dana Huff
I pondered what Technology Integration Specialist should be like.
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I think a good technology integration specialist bridges the gap between technology and pedagogy. Most teachers know the teaching techniques and not the technology tools. A few know the tools, but not the techniques. A TIS brings the two together. Here are some of the qualities that I think make a good TIS.
Curious
I hadn't thought of calling it this until I read the blog posts. This is that constant searching and learning more about applying technology to learning. New technologies are always being invented or improved. Also, there are so many current technologies that discovering them is like finding brand new toys.
Problem Solver
This is related to curiosity, but I would even separate it out. Once I see a need or problem to solve, I stick with it until I find a solution or alternative. I got this from troubleshooting computers. It is a logical process (Google helps a lot, too). Nothing is more frustrating for a teacher than when a technology tool they try out does work. For newbies, this is their greatest fear. Sometimes it is a simple fix, and TISs need to able find those quick fixes before calling IT. Fixing a problem quickly can help get back on track a teacher's attempt at using something new.
Playful
I like the playful label. It is another outgrowth of curiosity. We should encourage others to play with a technology at home before they try it out in the classroom. If they are able to learn how to use a technology tool like Google Keep or Onenote in their personal lives, they will become familiar with how it works and often see how their students can use it in the classroom. Newbies are often afraid of breaking something because they are so unfamiliar with the technology, but playing around with it means that no harm is done if something does go wrong.
The TIS loves to play with the technology. In doing so, he or she learns how to use it. Once we learn how to use it, we can show it to others so they can play, too.
Perpetual Learner
This is the outgrowth of curiosity. This is putting the discovery into action. Teaching yourself new skills takes work, but is ultimately rewarding. Just-in-time learning is the most relevant, useful, and long-lasting learning you can do. You can learn how to do almost anything from Youtube. This summer I learned from youtube how to winterize and de-winterize my lawn sprinkler. You have to be proactive and go out and find those opportunities to learn.
Connected
This is the "how" for a perpetual learner. The days when teachers closed the door to their classrooms and just taught by themselves are gone. Today, teachers are constantly collaborating formally and informally. In the internet age, that collaboration extends beyond the walls of the school. Now, connected teachers use Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Facebook, blogs, and podcasts to learn from and grow with each other. The TIS has to be a part of that community. My professional learning network it on Twitter and Google+. I find my new tools by following brilliant educators from around the world sharing links to their new discoveries. They I try to give back to the community by sharing out my own discoveries. David Weinberger in his book Too Big To Know said "the smartest person in the room is the room," meaning that you can learn more from everyone sharing their collective knowledge and experiences about a topic than just learning from the smartest person in the room. The online room is now the world.
Passionate
This is the "why" for a perpetual learner. We seek out new technologies because we love it. Passion this gives fire to presentations about educational technology. It inspires other to try these new tools. It creates enthusiasm in others. It draws people out of their trepidation and into their new, uncharted technological waters.
So becoming a Technology Integration Specialist starts with curiosity and ends passion for bringing new technologies into a classroom.
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