What a Kindergarten Teacher Taught Me About Technology
kshepptech
A few years ago, I received this note from a teacher after we spent the morning together learning how to create an ebook on her iPad.
Later that day, I stopped back by her classroom to help with the next steps. The joy she showed was contagious.
She was a wonderful Kindergarten teacher, much closer to retirement than to her first day in the classroom. Her room was filled with color, creativity, and hands-on learning. Technology wasn’t her first instinct—and I respected that.
Because sometimes, the best technology for learning is still a blank piece of paper and a crayon. When that’s true, anything more can simply get in the way.
But that day reminded me why thoughtful use of technology matters.
Ebooks as a Learning Tool
We worked together to create an alphabet book. Her students helped decide which words to include for each letter and recorded their voices to bring the book to life.
By the time we finished, it wasn’t just an activity—it was a meaningful learning artifact. The completed ebook lived on each student’s iPad, ready to be revisited, reread, and reinforced throughout the year.
Ebooks can be powerful—not just for consuming content, but for creating it.
Two Lessons That Stayed With Me
That experience reinforced two principles that still guide my work today:
1. Technology should be approachable.
Teachers and students need to feel confident using it. That doesn’t mean it’s instantly easy—but it should feel within reach, with the right support.
2. Technology should be appropriate.
It should fit naturally into the lesson and enhance the learning experience. If it adds unnecessary complexity—or if we can’t clearly define its benefit—it’s probably not the right tool.
Why This Still Matters
I still love helping teachers and students create ebooks. But more than that, I care about helping educators use technology in ways that are intentional, effective, and aligned with their goals.
Not every lesson needs technology.
But when it’s used well, it can amplify learning in powerful ways.
Are you curious about using ebooks in your classroom or ensuring your technology use is both approachable and appropriate?
Let’s start a conversation.
