I always try to stay several steps ahead of them, but they often teach me shortcuts or techniques that are more efficient when it comes to using technology. They lead me to resources that I would not likely find if searching on my own. I encourage them to find mistakes in my lessons, and when they do, they feel very confident and capable. When they teach me new things, I am sure to let them know how awesome they are and that they have a lot to offer students and teachers alike.

It is critical to emphasize that we all are students of technology and still exploring its potential to communicate and demonstrate our skills. It is also critical that educators encourage and support students in their exploration of technology with the ultimate goal of extending students’ technology competence and literacy. Since each student has various needs and interests... we need to be tolerant and supportive of their personal investigations of technology.

My students have taught me that the only thing I have to fear is fear of the technology itself! They have provided me with an education about new technologies that continues to grow and evolve just as students and technology do!

Everything I've ever learned of significance about technology, I've learned from my students. They've taught me that technology is creative, exciting, challenging, and demanding; that it requires collaboration and problem solving; and that it produces magic. When it comes to technology, they have been the teachers, and I the student. Together we have learned, and we've applied that learning to create powerful projects.

No matter how much you think you know about technology, you can always learn something new from students in the computer lab. They are not afraid to try new software and technology, and I may learn a new way to do something as a result. And that includes students at all grade levels, K–12. Students love to be the teacher in that situation.

In my classroom, eighth grade students research and create a Powerpoint, brochure, or essay on budgeting a car, baby, vacation, graduation party, or wedding. Seventh grade chooses one of the same projects, but have to research a career endeavor. Sixth grade are able to learn about natural and community resources available through a web quest program and using several websites.

I thought I had mastered the aspects of Web 1.0 and then Web 2.0 comes along. I thought I was entering the 21st century by instant messaging and then realized that I have to master things such as: Facebook, SKYPE, Twitter, Wiki, Blog, iGoogle, and so on. In this arena, I must be a "student" as well as "teacher"!

I am a GT resource teacher in a suburban elementary school in the Denver area. I use a lot of technology in my classroom, our latest addition is a SMARTboard with Senteo clickers. The biggest lesson students have taught me is to learn with them, learn from them, and not be afraid to try new things. They often teach me! Functioning as a learning community, we are able to support each other. I don't have to know everything before forging into new territory. It creates a synergy in the classroom.

Students have taught me that it is OK if they know more technology than teachers and that we can use them as resources in our classrooms to enhance activities. More learning occurs when they are allowed to be "teachers." While they may know the nuts and bolts of technology, teachers are still critical as guides to the deeper understanding of the content. They also have taught that teachers should not be afraid to use technology in the classroom.

"It's going to be all right, Mr. E!". . . meaning, that technology will not subjugate or obliterate the whole human race, as happens all too often in the Apocalyptic cinemas of the twentieth century. I guess if they are right.

The students in my class have various disabilities including Down syndrome, TBI, autism and other multiple disabilities. They teach me about technology everyday. Those who struggle with writing are able to use the computer to communicate. By being able to communicate by computer they feel more independent which builds their self esteem. They show me everyday how technology helps them cognitively, physically and socially.

I teach a blended learning class in the Moodle (LMS). Within the forums, I have watched them coach each other with extremely good advice, reflect deeply on what they have learned, and risked this in front of others online. I have seen them upload their pictures into the system, submit articles of interest and teach each other though the collaborative Wiki. Overall, they have taught me that we can build relationships online and learn together.

I work in a prison. My students range from ages 19-55 (or older). They have taught me that educational needs do not end when school ends. I am moved by their need for knowledge, and I am excited and proud of their accomplishments. I am there cheering them on, and representing a society that wanted to cast them off. Educational Techology has given these students self esteem and skill to succeed - where education by itself, within their sphere of experience, fell short.

After over 10 years as a principal I have learned many lessons, however one is particularly important: Listen! You can not solve all problems or make everyone happy, but you can always give support through listening.

They have taught me not to be afraid to try something new. Just "play around with it" they tell me -- you will catch on! They also reminded me that with every new thing -- you must first crawl before you run. But many will run and skip walking altogether.

Last year, I had a student in my class for a couple of months visiting from Peru who spoke no English, and I speak no Spanish. I had been taking pictures of the students for an art project and was having trouble locating the images because I had not renamed them. The student noticed my confusion and quickly pointed to the computer screen and instructed me on how to change the view from file name to icons. Believe it or not, this simple bit of info has changed my life, and I will be forever grateful to her.

Being in my first year as a middle school librarian, my students have patiently taught me little tricks on navigating through the SMART board, kept me updated on current cell phones and mostly modeled how to embrace the joy of technology! During Teen Tech Week in March, I displayed an Old Tech museum with LP albums, huge laser disc remotes and cable boxes. My students had a new understanding of how quickly technology changes.

A few of our students taught our staff members (in a technology in-service at the start of this year) how to blog, how to podcast, and how to use Facebook. Our "senior" student leaders were tremendous teachers and our teachers were active students in this wonderfully positive learning session. Both took their roles seriously and many teachers began using the technology more quickly than if a colleague or expert had led the session!

At age 59, I have learned that my lack of technical expertise shouldn't slow down my students' access to technology. A wiser approach is to open the doors to technology for my students and have them teach me the mechanics. My role is to mentor and challenge them to pursue the many different avenues of critical thinking and creativity while encouraging them to communicate and collaborate with others to better define the parameters and depth of a "problem" and explore possible solutions or outcomes.

An eighth grade student taught me how to evaluate the efficiency of one of the oldest toys in the book - the cup/string phone. Using a variety of cups of different materials (plastic, Styrofoam and metal cans) - different "string" including cotton, fishing line and yarn - he set up the phones with a microphone receiving the sound and sending it to the laptop and Audacity software which generates a quantifiable signal pattern.

That they don't know as much about technology as we think they know. They are not experts by any means, and still require much guidance. That's why it's so important to teach them how to use it properly, as a tool.

That you have to just 'jump in' and not be afraid of making mistakes. That if you 'play' with something enough, you will learn how to use it. They have taught me to taste all the new things that are being offered and then decide what to put on the classroom menu! They have made me realize that there is no standing still in this digital environment. - Keep moving and learning or get left behind.