Yesterday I celebrated my 29th birthday and I was thinking about technology (amongst thoughts of chocolate and cake of course). But seriously, I really was thinking about how I am now at an age where it can really go either way for my relationship with new technological advancements. And…when I say advancements I’m not even talking about things that are super recent, but rather things that I have avoided!
Take twitter for example. For years I have avoided this form of social media associating its primary use with Kardashian updates and my 19 year old cousin posting crazy pictures with “#yolo” next to them (yes, I am proud of myself that I know what this stands for, but only because my 14 year old cousin told me).
As I secretly and shamefully googled “What is a hashtag?” in the privacy of my bedroom the night before the cohort 21 seminar I really was feeling old. I know that for some people 29 is not old, but as my 8 year old student said to me yesterday as I revealed the magic b-day number, “Wow, you look so good for your age!” To which my colleague remarked, “Get used to that one.” (I will never get used to that one)
So, birthday musings of this year are really about looking at technology without resistance and embracing how it can support my professional practice and bring more life, energy, and “connectedness” to my classroom.
Being a part of this community is a huge opportunity for me to push and challenge misconceptions I have about using technology in the classroom (and in life).
My favourite tool so far is diigo. http://www.diigo.com I have raved about this to my colleagues (most responded with – isn’t that just like pintrest?) I already have a list of math resources going and hope to compile more on flight, our theme at the moment.
Another question in my mind is how does all of this technology apply to elementary education? My grade 3’s are too young for phones and we practice typing on Mavis Beacon weekly. I have a smart board (that I love and use all of the time) and incorporate youtube videos into my lesson, but what else is out there?
Can’t wait to learn more!
Jillian
Firstly, happy belated birthday! Secondly, thanks for this hilariously honest post about the two paths that are diverging in a wood in front of you…you are certainly taking the braver, and more difficult (aka “fun”) path!
In terms of Diigo vs. Pintrest, it is all in how you are using the tools. Remember, the first question to ask of any ed. tech is: “how will this enhance the learning of my students?” Then consider how these technologies will alter my teaching. For example, using Diigo means that I am having to really reinvent for my students (and me too!) what it means to “do research”. Diigo makes research a collaborative experience. It means sharing and annotating for an authentic audience.
With your blog posts, try to use the hyperlinking tool so that instead of writing http://www.diigo.com, you can link directly to the site.
Thanks for this great post! It’s great to see you thinking learning and sharing!
garth.