I Taught Before Smartboards: What’s Actually Worth Updating?

When I started teaching, “technology in the classroom” meant an overhead projector and a transparency marker that was always running dry. I used a physical gradebook and planner. I printed out my grades. My classroom phone had a cord. Fast forward 25 years and I’ve been expected to pivot to virtual learning, master five learning management systems, and pretend I know what “blended learning environments that center student agency” means on a Monday morning.

Somewhere between mimeographed worksheets and digital escape rooms, I had to make a choice: adapt or fossilize. So I adapted—selectively.

Here’s what I’ve found to be worth the upgrade… and what I’m happy to leave in the dustbin of educational trends.

Worth Updating

1. Access to Information
Gone are the days of dragging the class to the library for a single reference book. Now, students can access up-to-date research instantly—if we teach them to use it well. Digital literacy is non-negotiable, and yes, it’s on us to model it.

2. Student Voice & Choice
When done with intention, giving students ownership over their learning can be powerful. This doesn’t mean abandoning structure—it means offering paths, not chaos. I still guide the bus. I just let them help pick the playlist.

3. Collaborative Tools
Padlet, Google Docs, Jamboard—these tools actually do support deeper thinking and real-time collaboration. And unlike poster board projects, they don’t leave my classroom glitter-bombed for three days.

4. Trauma-Informed Practices
The emotional and psychological needs of kids today are different. If you haven’t updated your approach since the ‘90s, it’s time. Building trust and safety isn't a trend—it’s a baseline for learning.

5. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
When they’re done well (read: not hijacked by data dump sessions), PLCs can give you meaningful collaboration and a break from teacher isolation. Plus, talking to adults during the day? Underrated.

6. Flexible Seating (with structure)
Turns out kids don’t need to sit in straight rows to learn. Shocker. Letting them choose where and how they sit can actually improve focus—but only if you still run a tight ship.

7. Culturally Responsive Teaching
This is more than a buzzword. Making sure our curriculum reflects the real, diverse world students live in? That’s not just progressive—it’s professional. Kids deserve to see themselves in what they’re learning. Despite our current political climate.

8. Formative Assessment Tools
Tech tools like Kahoot, Formative, and Quizizz aren’t just bells and whistles—they give instant data and make kids want to participate. Imagine that.

What’s Overhyped (and Maybe Always Was)

1. Tech for Tech’s Sake
I don’t need a QR code, a Bitmoji, and a playlist to teach long division. Some of this stuff is digital lipstick on a pedagogical pig. If the tool doesn’t enhance thinking, it’s just noise.

2. Constant New Initiatives
Raise your hand if your district has rolled out six "non-negotiables" this year. Now lower it if they’ve offered time or support to implement them. Yeah. I thought so.

3. Repackaging Old Ideas as New Innovations
“Project-Based Learning”? That’s called a report and presentation, friend. “Number Talks”? We called those “warm-ups.” Don’t let the rebranding make you feel out of touch—you’ve probably been doing it all along.

4. The “Data Wall” Era
You can color-code all you want, but turning student growth into a competition or a hallway scoreboard doesn’t actually improve instruction—it just stresses everyone out.

5. Student-Created Rubrics
I get the intent, but nine-year-olds shouldn’t be writing their own performance criteria. You’re the professional. They still think dogs and cats can get married.

6. The Never-Ending SEL Push-ins
I’m all in for supporting kids emotionally. But when your math block keeps getting replaced by another social-emotional slide deck from central office? That’s not support—it’s sabotage.

7. Mandated Scripted Curriculum
If you trust me with 25 kids, you can trust me to deviate from the script when it’s not working. Otherwise, just hire an audiobook and call it a day.

My Takeaway

Not everything needs to be reinvented. Good teaching is still good teaching. But refusing to evolve? That’s a choice too—and not a great one for the kids in front of us. I’m not trying to become a TikTok teacher or jump on every trend that comes down the pike. I just want to stay effective. And maybe a little bit cool. (Okay… at least not obsolete.)

So I’ll keep updating what needs updating. But I’m keeping my teacher voice and my sarcasm. Some things are timeless.