Technology is a wonderful thing, if it is actually being utilized. I know that in the school where I teach, thousands of dollars worth of equipment is collecting dust. The Smartbord in the classroom I moved in to still have Styrofoam on the outside of it. If the school is going to make such a big financial investment then the technology should be used to its full potential.
The first step I would take to help curb resistance is to poll the staff to see what is actually needed/wanted. The technology committee, which I would establish to help create a technology plan for the school would collect and review the results. Having the staff help choose the new technology may encourage the use of it because the staff will feel that they have a say in what is being purchased.
Before the new equipment arrives, I would schedule on-going professional development for the staff to attend. The staff needs to become familiar with how the technology works, how to set it up, and also how to troubleshoot problems. I would bring the professional development to their classrooms as well and be sure that the teachers got their equipment installed and operational.
Next I would have the technology coach (if I am lucky enough to have one) to create lessons integrating the new technology. The coach would go from classroom to classroom teaching the lesson and showing the teachers how easy it is to use. After that, the technology coach could help the teachers plan lessons integrating the technology and come and assist while they are teaching it.
Unfortunately, resistance will always be faced when changes occurs. Hopefully through polling the staff about new technology, on-going professional development, and helping the teachers plan lessons using the new technology, the resistance from teachers will be limited.
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