12 Second to Get Teachers Using Technology

[Randy Rodgers]

For the past month, I have been trying a different approach to getting teacher to learn some new technologies. I joined a site called 12second.tv awhile back as a beta user, and I was simply waiting for some inspiration on how I might use it. What I came up with was the BISD 12 Second Tech Challenge. I have been using the site to create a series of introductions to technology tools that teachers might not be familiar with, such as blogs, Twitter, YouTube, TeacherTube, etc. Participants have to complete a simple task, then post a comment sharing what they did via my blog. I also offered to give away prizes through a drawing later in the year, with the number of entries for each teacher matching the number of times each had participated in a challenge. So far, more than 20 teachers have participated, with a few completing every challenge. The feedback has been very positive, as well, with several thanking me for sharing so many new tools. While 100% participation would certainly be the dream, it has still been, in my view, a successful effort. After all, it only takes a small spark to get the bonfire burning, right?