Technology Anxiety: A Letter to Teachers

Dear Teachers,

Sunscreen and sand between the toes are fading into a distant memory as many of you hang up your flip flops and head back into your classrooms for the new school year. You've had your fun: Now it's time to educate the future leaders of the world! 

That said, I'll start this letter by stating this: I love technology.

I spent multiple years designing websites, learned HTML during my MLS program, enjoy a great app that lets me be creative, and am amazed by the way technology has changed the landscape of learning - and everyday life - over the years. 

I utilized tech in my classroom for purposes such as research, creating presentations, and even having students record podcasts about poetry they'd written. 

And yet, I also believe this:

Technology can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming.

Now, I may get hit by the "Oh no she didn't!" stick by my techy friends, but don't hate on me before reading on!

I am very adept at learning new tools pretty quickly, yet I found myself overwhelmed at times this summer when I logged onto social media and saw tweet after post after picture about all the tech tools and apps I should be using in the classroom. 

Learn it! Implement it! Everyone's doing it! YOU HAVE TO DO IT, TOO! 

Yes, these tools may excite and engage your students. 

Yes, these tools may make learning fun.

Yes, these tools may help students master the objectives. 

And yes, these tools WILL overwhelm you if you don't keep them under control. 

This new explosion of tech in the classroom, and in the idea that you have to use ALL of the APPS, ALL of the TOOLS, ALL OF THE TIME, will have you asking Why can't I keep up? Am I the only one stuck in the '80s?  (If so, don't worry: That was a pretty good decade with really great hair.)

Not me. I only wished back then that I could have Wall Bangs.

The key, then, is to answer this question: Which tool will work best for my unique situation?

A little reflection will help you answer this question. Before signing up for every available app or tool out there, consider the following:

1. Does this tool work with the technology I currently have? It's easy to get excited about a technology tool, jump in feet first, and then realize you don't have the tech you need to follow through. Some schools offer one-to-one devices; others are lucky to have three working computer stations in the classroom. You can't expect an app that would require every student in the class to log on at the same time - or even in one day - to work if you can barely rotate your students for iReady. However,  if you have a laptop cart at  your disposal, your options are much wider open. Ask yourself: How often do I have technology available? How often would my students need to use the app to complete the task I want them to complete? What would my rotation look like, and does that fit into my schedule? Will this tool be used at a student's home/outside campus or only on campus, and, if outside of campus, do my students have access to the tools needed to use the technology?
2. What is my skill and comfort level with technology?  Be honest: If you have difficulty deleting old emails, you may need to start with easy-to-use tools that offer a lot of support and/or have a large availability of tutorials and tips online. On the other hand, if you master technology as quickly as you  eat lunch during the work day, you'll likely be able to utilize even the most difficult of tools in your classroom. Ask yourself: What's my comfort level with technology? Am I going to be able to teach my students how to use this technology? What kind of support, both in school and out, is available? Are there webinars or in-person trainings I can take to become more proficient; and, if so, do I have time to add this to my schedule?
3. Is this the best tool for my unique situation? Yes, we all want to jump on the party train when it comes around so we can join in on the fun; but just because everyone is doing it does not mean you should (case in point: going streaking through the quad Will Ferrell style). Your situation may be entirely different from others you follow; and many products out there now have ambassadors on social media whose job is to promote that product for various perks. Make sure the train is going to take you and your students to the appropriate destination.  Ask yourself: What is one way I can use this tool with a specific lesson or objective I teach? Could this tool be used on a continuing basis for multiple lessons? How does this tool fit with my school's / student's learning objectives? 

Technology and its tools can create vibrant learning opportunities in the classroom when they are used correctly, yet they can also become a mountainous source of stress. Don't feel bad if you are overwhelmed with the use of technology in the classroom. 

Take a deep breath. 

Engage with just one tool at a time. 

And reach out for the support of your tech specialists, tech trainers, or other tech-using- educators IRL or online. 

Sincerely,

A Library and Technology Specialist Who is Going to Miss Her Naps!

A Teacher's Summer: Sun, Spreadsheets and Planning!

Ah, summer!  As a teacher, I get as excited about summer as my own children do. We get out the calendars and begin planning beach days, summer camps and trips - to grandmas, to the cousins, and, this year, to the islands!

Do you hear a little Bob Marley singing in your ear?! 

Summer is also a time that, as a library media and technology specialist, I can reflect on my previous year: things that worked well, things that need some tweaking, and things that need to be tossed out and tried in a new way.

Having moved into the role of media and technology specialist at my current school in January, I got through the remainder of this year doing what the previous specialist had done in terms of policies. I learned the routines. I got to know the kids. I also got to know the public library staff, as my library is a partner of the public library, which means I use their circulation system and they take over the library at 2:30 each day.

Basically, I observed, learned, and some days I simply held on for dear life!

Now I get to do things the way I believe they will be done best, and I'm so excited about this!

Reading Challenge

One major initiative I want to begin is a Reading Challenge for students in grades 2-5. Grade 1 would begin their own initiative starting in January, but this would be different from the others.

Part One

This Reading Challenge would:

1. Run through the media center.
2. Track books students read through Google Forms.
3. Use the data received by Google Forms to determine what students are participating, which grade levels are participating most, which books are the most popular.
4. Offer one challenge question per month that would correlate with state standards for reading. 

I have been working on the Google Forms document, and I'm getting so excited! In my mind I can see how this will be set up in the media center: one laptop so students can see the visual of how many students are participating, what grades they are in, what books they are reading. Another laptop or two so they can fill out their own reading log for the month when they come in to check out books.

Part Two 

The other part of this would be the actual display set up to show students how well they are doing. 

Part one of part two (if that makes sense!) is a monitor and laptop that displays results of the books read. 

The second part is a bulletin board display that showcases students who have participated each month. Each student will have a book created from construction paper. For each challenge they participate in, the student will receive a sticker on the book. This way, they can monitor how many challenges they have accomplished and we can easily see how many students are participating as a whole and each month.

An incentive will be part of the challenge - students who participate and answer a certain number of challenge questions would receive an incentive. The incentive? I am still working on that! (AND am open to suggestions!)

Finally, each child, upon filling out the form, will answer the challenge question of the month. This question relates to a standard. Students will answer this question in writing in Google forms. Teachers will be able to look at their answers and we will be able to see if they understand the standard based on the answer. Along with this, I will use prompts to assist in typing the answer. 

I still have some things to flesh out, but I'm so excited to see this taking shape!

Which leads me to how wonderful summer is as a teacher or other professional in the school system. You do have time to sit back, reflect, and then take those reflections to devise programming you feel will benefit your students in the upcoming year. 

Which brings me to this question!

What are you working on this summer? What do you hope to implement next school year that is different from this school year? 

It's Summertime! And an Introduction!

Hello! This is the very first post I've written on this particular blog; but I have written many, many posts on other blogs in the past.

Since you don't know me, I thought I'd start with a brief history.

Just a Small Town Girl . . . oh wait, never mind . . .

I started blogging about fourteen years ago, before blogging was cool. I began as MamaMarathoner. If you do some searching you can read an article or two that I wrote, like this one about yoga, or this post about a challenge I created quite a few years ago to help people feel better about themselves.

I spent years penning articles under that name, created multiple social media accounts, did some social media promotions with companies like Schwinn and New Balance, and had a grand old time. I worked hard and played hard and it all went well.

Then I got older, and my scope changed.

I started a new blog, but kept that blog, My Sole Filled Journey, for just a few years. Still having fun, still doing work with some companies that promote running and fitness, but it was more focused on the journey than on the fact that I had to squeeze in workouts with two children.

Because those two children, well, they are now 11 and 14.

Three years ago I returned to work full time, and this past year, in January, obtained my dream job: Media and Tech specialist for an elementary school in Tampa, Florida.

Go Eagles!

I LOVE what I do! It's crazy, hectic, busy and can be incredibly taxing, but I love waking up each day and going into a job that excites me so much.

This blog will follow my journey as I incorporate technology, the love of reading, maker space areas and more into my field.

So, now that the brief history is over, a little bit more about myself! I have two girls, which I already stated; a dog that is crazy and awesome and lovable; I am crazy about reading and writing and will one day pen that ultimate novel; and I love all things technology and digital based.

My goal: Coordinate learning and technology in both my media center and in the school this year.

Additionally, I still run. A lot! I love it, and I love talking about it, too. So you may hear me talk about running sometimes. If it bothers you, just skip that post - I promise I won't be offended!

You can find me on Twitter @MurdockKat. You can find me also in the gym, on the road, with my kids, at the beach, in the mountains, and wandering aimlessly around the world as time permits.