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Something I found interesting but not surprising about Google for Education’s list of emerging trends in classroom education is that emerging technologies was the last on their list, whereas the rest of the list is focused on responsibilities, skills, and methods. I would hope that future classrooms are designed with exactly that structure in mind. Pre-pandemic, technology in classrooms around me was more of an afterthought. It was considered a nice thing to have, but not necessary to learning, to the point where making it more of a necessity in my classroom was considered rather controversial. For a while during the pandemic, technology was the be-all-end-all. Everyone pivoted so sharply into the use of digital tools, and while that expanded the horizons of some teachers, I think it also did some damage to the mindset of what educational technology is and how it should be used; the focus was on necessity rather than intentionality. To me, Google’s list – and my experience this year as a tech coach in a large district - speaks to a much needed shift towards that intentionality.

In future classrooms, educational technology is not just about using the latest/greatest/coolest tech tools and websites, but how those things are used and the skills they should impart. Making sure students understand how to use technology responsibly, for one, and that they know how to use it in a way that will carry into their personal and professional experiences beyond the classroom; emphasizing collaboration and making connections for another. It took all year to help alter the mindset of some teachers I worked with towards these ideals and away from technology as basic skill practice or an extra fun-time activity, but by the end of the year there was a lot more support, so I definitely think that things are headed in the right direction.

A blended environment is definitely (at least in my opinion) the most ideal for learning. At the end of remote learning, so many teachers and students were experiencing tech burnout, and a lot of people wanted to back off technology altogether. A big part of that mindset alteration I mentioned was helping them to see that technology can and should be used in tandem with analog materials and practices. I had a kindergarten teacher who was very reluctant to let her students use technology because she was afraid and frustrated with the way she perceived tech totally replacing physical, hands-on play. When I showed her how she could use tools like Flipgrid and Genially in combination with her dramatic play sets and props, so that her students still got that physical, hands-on play experience while also building digital collaboration and creativity skills, she became a lot more receptive to the idea that technology could be blended into her traditional practices to provide students with increased/enhanced learning opportunities. Digital and analog tools and practices are both vital for creating well-rounded skills and experiences, and a blended environment provides the best of both those worlds.

The best way to create a blended environment is to provide the best tools and create ease of access. If funding weren’t an issue, all students should have access to updated and high quality laptops and tablets, as well as educational subscriptions that their teachers deem valuable – so much time/functionality/quality is lost when teachers have to bend over backwards to figure out how to work with just freemium features. Students should also have access to digital tools and technology they would be likely to come across in the working world, particularly in the upper grades, and high speed internet both at school and at home.

The idea of “keeping up” causes a lot of people stress. I think the best considerations for teacher training is to remember – and help THEM remember - that a) keeping up with current trends doesn’t necessarily mean a total pedagogical overhaul, b) change doesn’t and shouldn’t happen overnight, c) learning new things can be a messy process and it’s okay to make mistakes, and d) bringing students along for the adventure and try new things with you rather than showing them the greatest highlights only after you’ve mastered them first heightens the learning for everyone involved. That last item is one of my favorites, as it encourages a more student-centric and informed approach to technology use. Additionally, I feel like keeping up with technology trends in particular is best as a collaborative process, so encouraging professional learning networks (especially when it comes to social media) is key for staying updated, encouraged, and informed.

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The future of tomorrow's classrooms is an ideal that is constantly evolving and developing. I always look at these questions in the scope of teaching our students with disabilities.

Working in a school for the blind, there are many methods that are being pushed to be caught up with current trends in educating our students with disabilities. I make a strong effort to incorporate as many project- and inquiry-based lessons as I can as well as teaching STEM concepts because they are able to encompass so many academic and life skills that are needed. Students need to be innovative thinkers, able to work independently as well as collaboratively, and able to solve problems in multiple ways. The future of education depends on teachers looking at the student as a whole, not just a receptacle to receive information. We need to learn to be coaches and to give guidance by letting our students take the lead. We need to encourage students to strive for progress, not a grade.

If funding weren't an issue, classrooms would be well-supplied, teachers would be trained, and schools would have adequate emotional support for not only students, but staff as well. I think it goes beyond every student having a device, although I believe that access to technology is also essential.

I think that teacher training should be teacher-driven. Like our students, giving teachers the freedom to receive the training they believe is essential to their own professional development. Trust teachers to know what they need.

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I see our future classrooms headed for complete and seamless integration of technology. I see technology as a way of life within teaching and something students are taught with digital citizenship from the start of their education. One thing the pandemic has shown us is that learning can still take place, even if virtually. Teachers have adapted their classrooms to be completely virtual while still providing the highest level of academics and rigor for students. One thing that my district has done is create an online school that will continue to be utilized by students going forward. This allows students with a device to still participate in the educational journey anywhere they have a device and an internet connection. I also envision that in music rooms, music can be held digitally by students reducing our carbon footprint on the world. It always seems as if I am always running to the copy machine to make extra copies for my students. Imagine, if they could access all of their music and create a musical portfolio for themselves as they continue with their musical journey?

In somewhat contrast to my previous answer, complete virtual experiences provide education to students with challenges with being in person, but nothing can replace genuine person to person interaction. Technology can be used in a mixture of in person instruction as well as virtual learning. Nothing can replace those “experiences” students have when they go on an immersive field trip to enhance their learning and understanding of content!

If funding were not an issue, students would have both an Ipad and a laptop. Students would be able to utilize PC and Mac. Students will have training on how to use the technology to the fullest, and incorporated within the curriculum.

In some of the teacher trainings I have attended, they showcase a particular type of technology, and what types of things can be done with the technology in the classroom, but sometimes fail to address how specifically it can be integrated in the classroom. Some of the trainings seem more like show and tell, than how tech can be incorporated now. This also means that the way in which curriculum is planned and implemented needs to factor in technology when making the plan.

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Like more and more states around the country, my state is experiencing growth in music technology programs in our schools. A major challenge for many of these teachers is that they were not trained to teach music technology. My music education degree included classes in brass, woodwind, string, and vocal methods - and I had to pass a piano proficiency exam - but I had no classes in music technology. While some colleges are now offering some classes in music technology as electives, many post-secondary music education programs still do little to prepare graduates to teach music technology.

If you are going to be teaching a music technology class, the first question to be answered is, "What am I supposed to be teaching in my music technology class?" The NAfME national standards for music technology offers is a great place to find the answers. If your school system doesn't currently have any curriculum standards for music technology, NAfME has several great resources that provide direction about how to adopt the national standards at the local and state level here and here . Given those resources, I will not go into creating and adopting standards. Instead, I will address the question of what you are going to be teaching in the music technology class.

Simply put you are going to be teaching three things: creating, performing and responding. For this article, I will focus on the standards under "creating."

Creating

I know I risk upsetting some people with this statement, but we really don't teach much about creating in our ensemble classes. Our ensemble classes focus on performing. Students learn to perform the rhythms, melodies, structures, and expression that we ask them to play on their instruments. We don't generally ask them to create the rhythms, melodies, etc. One of the unique and really wonderful things about teaching music technology is that we are actually teaching them to create the music that will later be presented.

Creating is broken down into four sub-categories: imagine, select, evaluate and refine, and present.

1. Imagine

The first standard is "imagine" which is described in the NAfME standards as "generating rhythmic, melodic and harmonic IDEAS using digital tools." Lesson plans for this standard must include teaching students about the digital tools that they will use to generate their ideas. One of the first lessons that I teach my beginning level students is called Exploring the MIDI Keyboard. Here students learn about all of the different sounds that the keyboard is capable of making, from a basic grand piano to guitars, brass, strings, and synthesizers to drums and ethnic instruments. The students spend most of the class with headphones on listening to sounds and creating a list of their favorite sounds that they discovered.
Exploring the MIDI Keyboard Lesson Plan
Another lesson under "imagine" is Melodic Improvisation. In this lesson, I provide the students with a template file that contains a four measure bass loop using a I-V-vi-IV chord progression. I use a whiteboard marker to indicate the root notes for each chord on the keys of the MIDI keyboard. The students first practice playing the root notes with the chord changes as they listen to the bass loop. When they comfortable with hearing the chord changes and playing the corresponding root, I talk to them about placing notes in between the root notes to create a melody. We discuss contour, stepwise versus disjunct motion, etc. in creating a melody. Once they have created something that they like through their improvisation, they record their melody in the DAW.

2. Select

The next standard in the Creating category is to "select melodic, rhythmic and harmonic ideas to develop into a larger work using digital tools." Again you will be teaching students how to use digital tools to take their ideas and begin developing them into larger chunks of music. One of the first lessons under this standard that I use is the AABA Project. The focus of this lesson is for students to begin to learn the simple forms and structures of music and how to use digital tools to create them.

I provide a template with four tracks labeled drums, guitar, bass and keyboard/synthesizer. The students use loops to create a four measure drum, guitar, bass and keyboard track. Next, they learn how to use the copy and paste function of the DAW to copy their four measure phrase into the second and third A sections. They will then use contrasting loops to fill in the B section creating a sixteen measure AABA song. For those students who quickly grasp how to use the digital tool to create their AABA song, I may have them create other songs using different forms such as a round, rondo or ternary forms.
AABA Project Lesson Plan
3. Evaluate and Refine

The third standard under Creating is "evaluate and refine": "Drawing on feedback from teachers and peers, develop and implement strategies to improve and refine the technical and expressive aspects of draft compositions and improvisations." For this standard, I will usually refer back to their earlier Melodic Improvisation assignment.

Using the DAW we take a close look at the rhythms and note lengths of the original. The students learn how to use the quantize feature of the DAW to correct rhythmic inaccuracies. We also discuss how we can use the digital tool to keep notes lengths consistent and how to create a legato or staccato articulation. Finally, they learn how to use automation to create crescendo and decrescendo to further enhance expression in their melodies. Finally, I will have them share their revised melodies with their neighbors to exchange feedback before making final revisions.
Melodic Improvisation Revision Lesson
4. Present

The final standard in the Creating category is "presenting or sharing." This one is pretty self-explanatory, but can be the most difficult to get some students comfortable with. I've performed plenty of bad music at a fairly high level of performance, but at least I wasn't the one who created it! Creating something and then presenting it to the world can be a scary proposition. You invest a part of yourself into something that you create and by presenting your creation to the public you are putting a part of yourself out there to be judged by others.

I begin by asking students early on to share their ideas with each other to get them comfortable with sharing ideas. I encourage students to listen to each other's work and offer feedback and suggestions. Students have to be taught how to do this. I explain my process in assessing their assignments. An important concept that I stress is assessing music is not about personal preference. I don't care how well a chef can prepare a piece of salmon. I don't like how salmon tastes, but that doesn't mean that I can't assess the skill and artistry of the chef in how it was prepared.

Students are taught to use musical and digital terminology to make specific comments about whether, or not, the assignment meets the parameters of the assignment. For example, I may not like the genre or style of the loops chosen for the AABA assignment, but the assignment was about musical form. Was the composition constructed using the appropriate form? If it does, most anything else is irrelevant for the purpose of feedback and assessment. I always tell students that it is most important to me that they like their creations.

Hopefully, this article provided you with some ideas and resources to get started with the NAfME Music Standards for Music Technology. Getting comfortable with teaching music technology is a process, not an event. The first year that I spent in my music lab, I spent as much time figuring out how to get all of the equipment and software to work as I did actually teaching anything relating to a performance standard. Embrace the chaos!

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Creating a Music Technology Curriculum | SmartMusic

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Like more and more states around the country, my state is experiencing growth in music technology programs in our schools. A major challenge for many of these teachers is that they were not trained to teach music technology.

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When it comes to the future of our classrooms, I believe that we are headed towards more of a hybrid model, which will include more virtual learning and the integration of more technology. Although it seems that our students have better learning outcomes being physically in the classroom, I believe that we will continue to use 1 to 1 technology even in person; I for one believe that in person education is best, but having the technological advances as a supplement is beneficial as well. If funding was not an issue, I believe that students should have access to any and every educational platform that works best for their needs. For example, if an ELL student needs additional help with learning the English language, there should be access to free programs for this. Teachers do their best to teach their students content, but having extra programs to support our scholars outside of school that they can easily access should be available in order to keep learning equitable. In order to keep up with current trends, teachers should be given free access to professional development courses that will help them stay abreast to the ever-growing technological advances; not everyone is tech savvy and in order to make sure that each and every student receives the best education there is to offer, we need to keep teachers prepared.

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Future Direction: Extended Learning Beyond the Classroom

As active participants and observers in the fast-evolving educational system, our future classrooms seem to be heading towards the tech ed trend I've shared in the research project - extended learning beyond the physical classroom.

We've learned from Google's research article, Future of the Classroom Emerging Trends in K-12 Education - Global Edition, that fostering a fearless attitude toward technology is the gate to maximizing educational technology's benefits. Fears such as 1) digitalized learning materials and AR technologies would replace the teaching field and 2) it causes people to become apathetic are both legitimate concerns. However, these two concerns are based on the lack of understanding of technology's role in our lives.

Once the teacher, parent, and the administration can face the evolving ed-tech world with confidence because they understand the values and benefits it brings to the learning communities, the elements from the eight emerging trends Google has discussed will soon follow. "Digital citizenship and digital literacy programs are about more than learning how to use something. They must navigate the challenge of encouraging a healthy relationship with technology as a whole" (P. 7). I believe that the ultimate goal of a successful implementation of educational technology is to enable students to interact with knowledge via technology as a part of their daily routine seamlessly - extending learning beyond the physical classroom.

Ergonomic and Naturalistic Design Conducive to Learning

After visiting the Helsinki Airport in Finland during my connecting flight to Thailand this past week, I would say that any ergonomically and naturalistically designed environment would help the next generation learn better. Furniture with ergonomic designs helps learners position themselves for success without straining or hurting their bodies. When the design also includes natural elements that mimic nature, the furniture allows learners to relax physically and mentally.

Hygge (the Danish word meaning "to live with contentment, coziness, happiness, and wellbeing) and Lagom (the Swedish word meaning "in moderation; in balance") were the two significant characteristics found in Finland's Helsinki Airport. The furniture I've seen throughout the entire airport was designed ergonomically, but they were also aesthetic and practical. Cafe and resting areas' designs were inviting, ergonomic, technical, naturalistic, and clean. As a traveler who didn't request any members-only lounge for a 12-hour layover connecting flight and had to stay in the airport, I didn't feel tired but recharged. Thanks to the Helsinki Airport's attention to detail in making this rest stop so inviting and refreshing, I felt like I stayed at a giant IKEA demo house for a day.

To get a glimpse of the hygge and lagom design and ambiance I've experienced at the Helsinki Airport, check out the video I made above!

Can you imagine how much people's quality of life will improve when our students' learning environment and our working environment are full of welcoming furniture and ambiance (not just a commercial upgrade)? When the furniture and environment are conducive to learning, welcoming, and ergonomic, students and teachers are less likely to become mentally and physically exhausted but focused and recharged. What if the learning environment can also help students and teachers reduce school-related anxieties and promote positive social interaction among the entire school? What if the learning environment is set up to encourage empathy, care, and kindness? We're not talking about using posters and paintings with positive saying but an entire ambiance makeover.

Mobile Devices and Cloud-based Technologies

I'd like to propose that if funding weren't an issue, the hardware students should have access to is a laptop and an iPad/tablet. Depending on how a teacher structures her curriculum and learning environment, students could reserve the use of the laptop for school only and use the iPad/tablet to continue the work at home or vice versa. Furthermore, students should also have access to a portable wireless speaker, wireless headphones, laptop and tablet charger, a portable charger, and a tablet protector case. Along with the laptop and the iPad/tablet, students should have a basic set of cloud-based Office apps that allows them to create materials, communicate with teachers and peers, and research. A great example of this set of essential office apps can be found in Google as they provide Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites, Forms, Mail, Meet, and Search. Students should have access to cloud-based storage as well.

Healthy Mindset: Key to maximizing teacher training and staying up with current trends

In keeping with the belief that our future classroom is heading toward extending learning beyond the classroom, I felt that helping teachers navigate through transitional times mentally is the most critical task. Before asking teachers to learn another new app, new gadget, new pedagogy, or even another way of using the same app, we need to focus on the teacher's wellbeing first. A healthy mindset is a key to the success of any teacher training workshop. Too often, we would hear colleagues at the beginning of the workshop say, "Gosh, another workshop, like we got nothing else to do?" or "Can't they just have us watch a video?" Or even, "I don't get why we have to sit through this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

While I'm not advocating for a philosophy course as a pre-requisite to teacher training, the issue of having a negative mindset to begin must be dealt with first. Time is changing, and the way people learn is changing, too. The "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset has worked in the past, but such a mindset would become a hindrance to many in this generation and the next. How about, "Even if it ain't broke, let's try if there's an even better way of doing things?" Regardless of how old or young they are, as long as they have a healthy mindset that welcomes opportunities to find a better way of doing things, it would be easy for anyone to stay up to date with any current ed-tech trends. I also believe we need to embrace veteran teachers during ed-tech transitional times because they have so much to offer. While some may be willing to try new things because of a healthy mindset, some may be fearful of trying for various reasons. Therefore, I recommend any district take an inventory of what type of teachers they have in the district. The district should know these teachers' strengths and weaknesses and provide opportunities to instill a healthy mindset toward transitional times with emotional and technical support.

My focus is on helping teachers navigate through transitional times with a healthy mindset first before asking them to attend more workshops. Teacher training is absolutely needed, and keeping up with the current trends is also a must. However, to maximize the benefits of any teacher training, we must first ensure that our teachers' mindsets are healthy, refreshed, and ready to learn.

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My hopes for the classroom of tomorrow will probably be much different than reality.  I envision a classroom that is fundamentally different than today's setup.  This classroom has eliminated all rote memorization from the curriculum.  Teachers will have the freedom to choose how they teach their classes.  We will see some teachers use flipped classrooms where technology can take a center role for students as they learn the lesson at their pace at home.  Teachers can develop outstanding lesson plans that incorporate their creativity and excitement back into learning.  Other teachers will gravitate towards project-based learning where multiple skills are utilized at the same time.  Students will work on real-world issues to build 21st-century skills.  This will allow them to explore new technologies as they search for solutions.  I wish for my classroom to be a gradeless learning environment where students are challenged to demonstrate their learning in new and creative ways.  I want my students to take risks and learn from their mistakes without penalties.  We see many quotes about learning from mistakes and picking yourself back up after falling but we do not allow our students these opportunities.  This style of a classroom will allow students to utilize technology in new ways to push its potential.

I believe that the students of the future will learn best in a blended environment that incorporates 21st-century skills. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are still fundamentals but students need to be challenged to think critically. This blended environment will utilize technology when it is needed or makes the assignments easier but they will still do some work with physical objects. A healthy mix of the two will allow students to find their personal style of learning, which can lead to future career interests.

If funding was not an issue, students should be issued high-quality laptops with school-wide subscriptions to all of the technology websites that can be used in the classroom. Along with these laptops, students should be issued tablets and cell phones. All devices should have internet capabilities so students can use them to learn at any place and any time they wish. In today's society, we use all three of these devices to finish work, connect with others, and improve our knowledge. Students should be given the same opportunities.

Teachers cannot make these changes or incorporate this technology without additional training. Since our world is moving at a fast pace, teachers should be provided, free of charge, quarterly or bi-annual training to update their toolbox on the newest technology and trends. On the flip side, teachers should be required to attend these trainings. Any teacher that is not up to date on the newest technology and applications does not provide their students with the best possible learning for our digital age. Teaching is not meant to be a stagnant career. Methods and knowledge should be ever-changing as we discover new knowledge and methods. Teaching must keep pace with the current world so that future workers, business owners, CEOs, creators, doctors, etc. can perform to their highest level.

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I think the future of classrooms has more opportunities than ever before.  Classrooms of the future will be able to provide students with project based learning that utilizes technology they might see in their future careers.  Classrooms of the future provide parents/guardians more ways to engage in their child’s learning.  I hope that classrooms of the future provide students with hands-on experiences that are meaningful to their personal futures, too.

I think that the next generation would learn best in a structured project-based learning environment.  I think that learning the basics is extremely important before pursuing PBL, but once students have enough knowledge tools, they’ll benefit greatly.  I think that there needs to be a mix between technology and basic manipulatives, too.  Students need opportunities to problem solve and persevere as well.

If funding weren’t an issue, I believe that all students should have access to a personal computer, handheld device (tablet, iPad, etc.), and programs that promote problem solving skills.  The use of computers and handheld devices are detrimental to so many careers currently, I can only imagine what technology knowledge and experience the next generations will need to be prepared.  If all students had access to software programs that encouraged them to problem solve and persevere at a young age, they would be able to acquire a strong growth mindset.

Teachers would need constant training to keep up with current trends.  Teachers would need time to explore independently.  Teachers would need the opportunity to try out the technology at the risk of many failures.  Teachers would need administration to support them as they journey through the latest trends to determine the best fits for their student population.  Teachers would need training from experienced teachers or visiting trainers from a given program/trend.

The future of classrooms could be something amazing for all stakeholders.

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In the future I see our classrooms including current and emerging technologies and including more project-based or student-led learning.  While the hardware - such as Chromebooks, Macs, iPads/tablets, etc. - may not physically change too much there will surely be new technology programs created or changes made to existing technologies to better help students and teachers in the classroom.  Due to the constant changing technologies and emerging technologies, the ability for teachers to get support and training is key; according to the Google for Education report, 78% of teachers believe they have not received sufficient training on classroom technologies and this will have to be a point of emphasis as the classroom continues to evolve and be more technology based.

A learning environment that supports critical thinking and problem solving will most likely help the next generation learn best and help prepare students for their futures.  Project based learning or student led learning that challenges students to think at deeper depths of knowledge will help prepare students the best.  Allowing students to explore topics in a unit and be challenged to collaborate with other students and teachers - rather than the teacher to student model - will help students grow as learners.

If funding were not an issue, all students should have access to a device that connects to the internet.  Depending on the technology views of a school or district, the device may vary but a Chromebook, iPad, Mac or other device would be extremely beneficial for all students.  Not only would this allow students to move away from completing work on paper/pencil but it also will help students grow their digital skills that they will need in life after school.  Because technology allows students to work at their own pace, headphones would also be very beneficial as it would allow students to access audio or video that best fits their learning needs.  With countless software options out there I think rather than a specific couple of programs, it is more important that each student have access to at least three programs that make learning more engaging through their school district.

As mentioned earlier, it is essential that teacher training be emphasized when it comes to implementing technology into the classroom.  I think it is important for schools and districts to have a technology plan in place when it comes to essential classroom software so that they are not consistently buying new technologies for teachers to learn each year.  Teachers should be a part of the process through polling/surveys when it comes to the technology they need in the classroom.  Once the technology is implemented it will be important to have support when first learning the technology but then also to continue support by allowing built in time for teachers to work with and create lessons with new technologies and provide support through technology coaches or other support systems.  The future classroom technology will be ever changing but by supporting teachers when implementing the technology, students will be able to take advantage of the programs they have access to.

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I think the classroom of tomorrow is something that will constantly evolve. We can say specifically what it might look like in the near future, Lots of tech-integration, Chromebooks replacing much of paper & pencil activities. But the one thing we do know is the evolving classroom is fluid and every evolving and changing. I think when you look at what a classroom will "look like," I think much of it will be not only technology based in the resources the students are using, but also in the final product students are producing. Students will be collaborating and working on a product that is relevant to life-skills, example, creating a business or producing a tangible product. They are investigating and setting goals in student-led learning and having to monitor and self-reflect and set their own goals. Giving students access and responsibility really changes the dynamic of the classroom. However, in effort to do that, they need to be taught how to set goals, how to use technology, how to collaborate, their roles within the classroom. This will require a lot of training and coaching on our part and us needing to receive some training too.

Ultimately though, students will be producing real-life, relevant projects and using their skills to be global learners where they can figure out the importance of school and how to apply their education to real-world experiences.

With all of these needs, funding becomes an issue. One requirement is students have to have their own device. Especially in the days of remote learning, we've become dependent on them and for students to not have their own device isn't realistic anymore. But that device needs to have resources, students must be able to produce through a graphic design type program. It could even be something as simple as Google Slides. They can also add in a Video Editor which gives students the opportunity to tell a story in ways differently than just the written word or writing.

One thing we do know, is that the classroom of tomorrow is constantly evolving and by the time this class is taught again, things may change. We as educators just need to be always up to speed and evolving ourselves just like technology and the expectations of our students.

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I think our future classrooms are heading in a more collaborative direction. Hybrid and blended classrooms have had better results than 93% of conventional classrooms. This shows a clear trend toward more digital classrooms. I think that students need access to some forms of technology, and I think that most learning environments are moving in that direction. If money were of no object, it would be ideal for students to have 1-1 access to a computer. Students should have the ability to use word processors, slide decks, spreadsheets, etc. They should also have access to video editors and collaborative sites. I also think students should have access to dedicated computer teachers, so they can learn effective ways to use their technology. Teachers of content have had so many standards and mandates thrust upon them, that it's hard for them to teach basic computer skills on top of the other skills they need to teach. In reference to teacher trainings, I think teachers should have open-ended trainings. Since educators have varying skill levels, I think the best way to provide professional development is to allow teachers to investigate the technology and have someone available to provide supports and answer questions. So many trainings force teachers to learn what every obsolete button means, and it's not a great use of time. Having a technology coach is a great way to keep up with educational trends in technology. However, they are not mandatory. Following education blogs like The Ed Tech Roundup, Free Technology for Teachers, and The Innovative Educator are great for keeping up with the newest technology trends.