How do you give up control?

In this new age of 1 to 1 computing the problem isn't the students--it's the teacher! I know I'm a control freak and letting go of control of my classroom is scary! I've been slowly doing it for years as the computer has taken over my business curriculum--however it's hard.

For those of you that are new to this process I can give you these words of advice:

• Learn to use Twitter--I love Tweet Deck to learn new innovative ideas for my classroom--I set aside 10 minutes everyday to Twitter--and I rarely tweet--I just read them.

• Start off small and slowly create projects to engage students in the computer projects for your subject area--there is a WEB 2.0 Tool that will inspire you. Check them out at http://www.go2web20.net/
  

• Know what you want before you assigned a project--having a rubric is very helpful to you and your students--these will constantly change as the projects progress over the years. Sometimes I had too high of expectations and sometimes too low. Live and learn! Great site that helps is http://rubistar.4teachers.org/
  

• If you wait until you have all the programs or Web 2.0 sites mastered they are old--jump in and the kids will learn along with you or you from them.

• Tons of ideas out there--there is a wiki for everything--Google it!

• Let students make suggestions for projects--they have great ideas.

• I truly believe it is no longer about "How much" I cover but "How" I cover it.

• Developing a student social network site is critical to the 21st Century Classroom--it is how today's students communicate. Edmodo--http://www.edmodo.com is free and Ning is cheap!
  

• TEACHER LEARNING--is more important than ever before--it can't only be about our content--it's about our--Pedagogy!

• Student Responsibility is critical and an important piece--it will only hurt them later in life if we don't set deadlines and expect them met! Employers will reap the benefits later!

• TIME is still precious and teacher's will need time and support to make the changes necessary for a Student Centered Classroom. Differentiated Instruction site http://www.sde.com/teacher-resources.asp#DIresources

• Find someone who is doing it and visit them--follow them through a day of teaching. A good mentor is critical.

• Don't give up--it will be worth it in the end!

The author has been a classroom teacher for 30 years and is currently the Iowa Business Education Teacher of the year.