Reflection: Technology I've Learned This Summer

I consider myself to be fairly tech-savvy. I try to keep up with the technologies available to me at my school, and I use technology often in the classroom. My students submit their essays, and I comment on them, through Google Drive. I have students create presentations on the computer and do research through our school databases. Some techie assignments we have done in the classroom include creating podcasts and collaborative websites. Other teachers have come to me for advice on how to do things on their computers. However, I have learned so many online tools this summer that I feel like I knew so little before. I feel proud of what I have accomplished and how many tools I have tested this summer, and I know I will go back to school more confident in my tech skills, and equipped with many new project ideas. I now know of many more ways to share information online and to get my students doing the same. That's a great feeling to have as the end of summer approaches rapidly. I'm in the position right now that I am preparing for my long-term sub to start the school year for me, but I feel good about my abilities to communicate online and keep updated with everything I will need to do. 

Blog to Follow: Free Technology for Teachers

I've been following Free Technology for Teachers (both the blog and on Facebook) starting this summer, and I am amazed at how much its creator, Richard Byrne, knows about technology. He has such wonderful insights into how to use technology in schools, and gives tips and ideas from his own experience. How does he do it? Some times he posts multiple times per day! I have learned many things from his blog and have been inspired to do new things in my own classroom. He has given tips on how to apply (in new ways) some sites and applications I already use as well. I enjoy reading his posts and his thoughts on new tools, and I will definitely continue to follow his blog for the wealth of new ideas he shares.