Today I have been asked by our Tech dept. to reflect on how my tech usage has changed in the past 18 months and then share with colleagues. So, I'm reflecting and sharing in my posterous space and blog.
Presently, I am teaching a Broadway show and I am missing the fact that tech isn't being used much by students, but by me. While I enjoy the ipod and computer making my life easier, I am feeling that I really need to post some questions for homework on my webpage so kids are still interacting with me from home during this 8 week period of learning program music. Wall wisher has been a great avenue for this, as well as Edmodo! Getting tech in the hands of students to promote more creativity and overall learning has always been my goal. Google docs will be in my students' future-can't wait to try it-Fall '12 is the goal!
I have learned so much from others on Twitter and I believe I have become a junkie. I am addicted to learning more and I can't seem to stop myself from sending tweets to myself that I want to pursue later on, to my dropbox. Hopefully, I will make the time to get to them before the school year is out.
I am currently exploring how QR codes could be used in my music program bulletin. There are a few of my students who have actually seen a Broadway Show in New York City! I would love for them to share their experiences in their writing, and possibly promote the QR code usage to parents if I would introduce the students whose writings are featured within the program notes accessed by the QR code. Thanks to @jguarr on twitter for sharing what he does with his middle schoolers.
I am also pursuing a seat on the NETA board for the next couple of years. I would love to learn more about how others use technology throughout our state and how to best serve our students K-12. I also think I could bring a fresh perspective on the board, as the majority of the Directors are classroom teachers or tech ingration specialists.
Our high school has just adopted a BYOD plan in January-I would love to hear how kids are using their devices and how this is going for teachers and students. My soon to be 9th grader can't wait! :)
This is all I have time for at the moment, but I will continue to reflect on the tech practices that I use that work and maybe some that don't work so well. Deep reflection has to come at a less busy time.
-Mrs. Stelling
