Tech is here...deal with it!

Why are people still trying to promote technology for education? 

This should be a given in this day and age. Our learners should be able to use Google and Social Media for learning. 

Technology is literacy! 

Technology should not be feared but made to be seen as empowerment. Kids are engaged and empowered. Isn't that the goal of learning? As an educator we don't want to limit our student's creativity and the opportunities.
We have to take advantage of what we have now and what we can look forward to. 

Our young people are innovators and it's our job to hone their talents and coach them to explore and think critically. 

It's time we replace fear with curiosity. 

...for not only better students but better people!

Changing Technology

As I continue to use technology in my classes, along with social media, I have realized that like with the actual technology my students' interests have also changed. 

When I began my journey of advocating the use of social media for class assignments, Facebook was not really used (even though most of my students have an account), they did not use it daily. They had it from when it was "cool," but once mom, dad, and even grandma got in...they got off. 

Today they are using Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter daily. I am now developing ways to incorporate the use of these apps in my lesson planning. Social media is about sharing and as my students continue to share their lives on social media with their friends, I want them to see how much their education is also a factor and should also be shown in their snaps, IG, and tweets. 

Example:

I now assign video homework. Students must show 30 or more seconds of them practicing the dance outside of class. The have to use the appropriate hashtags and for those that are private on social media they just have to show a recording on their phone. 

Luckily, all my students have smartphones this year. All 186 of them! That's insane but it is what it is. 

Let's find meaningful ways to make use of the little computers in their pockets while also encouraging them to do their best work to post online. 

Winter Break Blues

I always get excited for a break but then I have to think about what is to come, I call this the Winter Break Blues. 

The holidays always brings a new wind beneath your wings that will carry you through finals. Then the break comes and you are relieved but can't relax because you have to travel, deal with shopping & wrapping gifts. 

Then the tree comes down and then you are faced with the reality of the second semester. I have to deal with travel with the kids, costumes, and putting on a show. Yikes! I need to relax but still work because I have tons to do.