I think she means that as teacher we should be embarrassed that we cling to outdated teaching methods that bored us.  Teaching methods have not kept up with the needs of digital learners and this can be corrected through the use of technology 

How could it connect to the idea that just because hardware is made available, effective technology enhanced instruction won't naturally follow?

  Both hardware and software are both upgraded, so often that it is not possible to keep up with the changes. Even in programs that we use frequently, changes can be overwhelming. If a piece of equipment or software program is not used frequently we will not become adept at using it. In teaching there is not enough time to focus on the ins and outs a program but rather on the  the available choices that we could choose from to use.

I believe Tomlinson meant that there are an incredible amount of technological opportunities available for teaching and enhancing learning. It connects to idea of just because there is hardware available, effective instruction won't naturally follow because some teachers are not going to seek out an unfamiliar way of doing things without some instruction on how to do it. I believe once we are trained on how to use something you are still going to have those who are stuck in their ways, however for the most part, we grow. So just because there is so many things available some do not execute them.

Additionally, how could it connect to the idea that just because hardware is made available, effective technology enhanced instruction won't naturally follow. 

Sometimes as teachers, we find ourselves saying "there's no reason to re-invent the wheel." While there is some truth in that, I think that sometimes we get caught up in sticking with what we know instead of advancing our teaching and instruction with technology. Although we have many different pieces of hardware, we don't always have the skills to work effectively with that hardware. There can be many different reasons as to the "why" behind that, but the reality is technology is here to stay, so we need to advance with it as it grows.

"There's an embarrassment of riches in opportunities to enliven teaching and learning through technology".  

What do you think she means by this?

As I was reading through the other comments I would have to agree with them in the fact that the technology is we need is abundant, however the ability and time to learn it all is not as easy. I know there are things that I could do differently within my classroom and present things in new and exciting ways with technology, however sometimes I might know about these yet, or the time to learn them to apply to my instruction is not always made available within our instructional day.  To be honest, technology is not my forte and I sometimes put off using some things because I am not sure what to do if problems pop up or if students need more assistance than what I can provide. This does mean this is a right choice but with the demands of day to day teaching, this is often times our reality. I know for me personally this is an area that I need to reflect on and pursue more readily to meet students needs in the age/era of technology. 

“Embarrassment of riches” is usually defined as “an unbelievable amount” or “more than any one person/group/country should have or need.” In this case, an abundance of “opportunities” (“ways”) to “enliven” (“to make exciting, relatable, interesting, personalize, usable, engaging and fun”) “teaching and learning” (“the educational process”) “through technology” (“by using technology). 

 

There are unbelievable amount ways that technology can be used to make the educational process exciting, relatable, interesting, personalize, usable, engaging and fun.

 

 

Just because there are so many options of technology to select from, does not mean that educators know how find technological options, how to use the technology effectually or how use the technology in a multiple of ways. In addition, educators may not have the skills to teach/demonstrate the new technology that they find. For example, I know a few dances (some technology). I know there are many more dances (types of technology) that exist, but I have not been exposed to them, so I can't dance them (use the technology). To further that analogy, just because I can do the dance (use a technology), it does not mean that I have the skill to break down the dance (technology) down to teach others! 

 

Laura Chagnon