"Someday, we'll all find out that Pinterest is a conspiracy created by a group of men who are tricking women everywhere into cooking, cleaning, and working out."
Guess where I found that funny quote? Pinterest, of course! You can add to the end of that 'decorating classrooms, creating fun activities, and sharing lesson ideas' for all of the educators out there.
Yes, Pinterest can consume a colossal amount of time, especially if you aren't searching for anything in particular. However, it can be extremely helpful when you have a specific topic in mind. Throughout the last school year, I would search for the topics that we were covering in Science (plants, the moon, water cycle). We were able to integrate some of these ideas into our lessons, which gave them a fresh, new twist. The students really enjoyed the hands-on, crafty activities we incorporated.
Pinterest will continue to be one of the first places I look for lesson activities and ideas. The NPS Pinterest Boards are a fantastic place to check out what our colleagues are doing in their rooms!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Tweet! Tweet!
Ahhhhh . . . . . Twitter!
My perception of Twitter was that it was a tool for keeping up on celebrity gossip and pop culture. Does anyone really care what Justin Bieber had for lunch today, what Kim Kardashian wore during her pregnancy, or who got kicked off American Idol last night? I really don't and didn't want to waste my time with this nonsense on Twitter.
Well, the good news is that you don't have to waste your time with these things on Twitter! It truly is what you make of it. Following interesting people and groups in the world of education makes Twitter a great educational resource for lesson ideas, up-to-date information and interesting blog posts.
I also have to admit that during the summer I usually don't spend time seeking out educational articles and resources. By the end of May, I just need a break from it all. Twitter, however, adds an element of fun into getting back in the swing of school. You never know what interesting things are going to pop up. It's different everyday. In the short time I have been using Twitter I've found several ideas I want to implement in my classroom this coming school year and started reading a few fantastic, highly recommended books. Who knew I could get excited about going back to school at the beginning of July? Thanks, Twitter!
My perception of Twitter was that it was a tool for keeping up on celebrity gossip and pop culture. Does anyone really care what Justin Bieber had for lunch today, what Kim Kardashian wore during her pregnancy, or who got kicked off American Idol last night? I really don't and didn't want to waste my time with this nonsense on Twitter.
Well, the good news is that you don't have to waste your time with these things on Twitter! It truly is what you make of it. Following interesting people and groups in the world of education makes Twitter a great educational resource for lesson ideas, up-to-date information and interesting blog posts.
I also have to admit that during the summer I usually don't spend time seeking out educational articles and resources. By the end of May, I just need a break from it all. Twitter, however, adds an element of fun into getting back in the swing of school. You never know what interesting things are going to pop up. It's different everyday. In the short time I have been using Twitter I've found several ideas I want to implement in my classroom this coming school year and started reading a few fantastic, highly recommended books. Who knew I could get excited about going back to school at the beginning of July? Thanks, Twitter!
Friday, May 31, 2013
The 10 Skills Modern Teachers Must Have
Well, I'm not sure I possess the 10 skills modern teachers need, but the Summer Tech Challenge is moving me in the right direction!
I feel that #1. Build Your PLN (Personal Learning Network and #2 Establish Real Relationships have always been a strength of mine. I seek out co-workers I trust and believe in to help me through the school year. There have always been teachers, administrators, para educators and support staff that I have sought out for help. However, doing this electronically is new for me. I tend to gravitate toward people I can actually speak to, not just via the web.
My favorite bit of advice from the article was in #3 Understand Where Technology Fits in Education.
"If you can’t figure out how a digital tool helps you in under 15 seconds, you don’t need it. Simple as that."
Some things seem obviously helpful, others not so much. Just go with it!
Lastly, I agree with #9 Don't Be Afraid of Failing. However, I do feel that I owe it to my students to have things figured out BEFORE I present them with something new. We don't have class time to waste. We've got a lot to learn in a school year, so I feel I need to be prepared for their questions and any complications that may come up in the course of our digital adventures.
I feel that #1. Build Your PLN (Personal Learning Network and #2 Establish Real Relationships have always been a strength of mine. I seek out co-workers I trust and believe in to help me through the school year. There have always been teachers, administrators, para educators and support staff that I have sought out for help. However, doing this electronically is new for me. I tend to gravitate toward people I can actually speak to, not just via the web.
My favorite bit of advice from the article was in #3 Understand Where Technology Fits in Education.
"If you can’t figure out how a digital tool helps you in under 15 seconds, you don’t need it. Simple as that."
Some things seem obviously helpful, others not so much. Just go with it!
Lastly, I agree with #9 Don't Be Afraid of Failing. However, I do feel that I owe it to my students to have things figured out BEFORE I present them with something new. We don't have class time to waste. We've got a lot to learn in a school year, so I feel I need to be prepared for their questions and any complications that may come up in the course of our digital adventures.
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