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=**WELCOME TO KIM'S WIKI** =


 * How do teachers keep up the student enthusiasm for a new technology beyond the first few days or weeks?

I think having a purpose for the use of the technology is important. Make the experience have an authentic connection. Are they contributing to a school resource, classroom newspaper, communicating with a person? My students always respond with more enthusiasm when there is an audience and purpose. Carmella Hughes

Hi Kim! I think it's important to have some variety in what you have the students doing. For example, don't use the same web 2.0 tools all of the time. Change it up a bit...use different tools for different assignments. I think if the students use the same tools over and over, they will quickly tire of them and get bored. Fortunately, it seems that there are always lots of new, great tools to use!

I agree with the previous entry - variety is key. I know that I myself get bored easily. The students will too, if they are asked to complete something such as a wiki entry every day all semester. I think that new technology use should be something that is added to your course along with all of the other things you do and not used every day. Perhaps you could slowly introduce the new technology and use it in different ways. For example if you wanted to start using wikis with your classes, maybe at first you create a class wiki that the students use to gain information. Then perhaps they can work in groups to create additional entries to add to the wiki. Maybe later the students are asked to create their own wiki as a final product after studying a new concept. It would also be interesting if you used the new technology to connect the students to students at a different school. -Diane

​ ​Although I haven't used technology with students much, I believe that if students use the same programs over and over, lack of interest will become apparent. ​ ​ Changing how technology is used should keep it interesting. Also, a way for students to show their knowledge and understanding of skill/topic, they could make a presentation for your future use (with their permission) or it could be used to for them to help struggling students, peer teaching. Glogster might work. ​Deb Black

husiastic, and students' can't help but feel proud of their accomplishments. You could also pair up your class with another class and have your students be the teachers of the technology tool!

Michelle T. Grade 1

I agree with the previous posts, a variety of choices and sharing the work with classmates or family would give them a true purpose. My third grade students are so excited about using the laptops I don't think they would get bored with them, because we usually use them once a week. Cindy D.
 * That is something I think about a lot. I was one of the first ones in my school to use Movie Maker. The kids loved it. Then other classes learned about it and began using it. Soon it lost its novelty. In cases such as this, I believe you have to keep increasing the difficulty level and adding new twists. In my cases, use different transitions, mix songs in various ways, etc. Plus, lets face it, its still a computer, and they will enjoy it no matter what if the alternative is to listen to a lecture!

~Kevin Siegel, 7th Grade Guidance**