Using Technology in the Classroom - Engaging Teachers

Last week I wrote about Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) and why I think they are important. When thinking about what I wanted to write about for this week, the theme of teacher's and learning kept popping up. Something that I've been thinking about for some time is how I can help teachers to better engage with technology in the classroom and how I can overcome some of the blocks that get in the way. It's something that I can be found discussing often with some of my colleagues as it is a big part of my role.

Why is this important you ask?

Professional Learning Networks - What's the Value?

I was introduced to the term Professional Learning Network (PLN) in my final year of studies back in 2014 by a friend. I was intrigued by this and began my Twitter journey in the hopes of talking with people in the field of education and ultimately become a better teacher as a result. Five years later I am still connecting with educators from around the world and finding ways to improve my teaching. This has been the goal, the reason I continue to engage my PLN - to be better.

When you have a specific interest, in can be difficult to learn more about it from people in your immediate circle of influence. Teaching is broad and we all have that one area we love just a little more than the others. For me, this is technology. Not just gadgets and computers (although I do love them), it's more the pedagogy that drives the use of tech in the classroom that interests me. I am interested in why teachers see value in one platform over others and I'm interested in how teachers make that decision to use one form of

Pondering

I have had an incredible year so far with a lot of opportunities for me to grow as a teacher and a leader. I've met new challenges head on, collaborated successfully with different people and pushed myself outside my comfort zone in order to better myself both personally and professionally. To say that 2018 has been a cracker of a year would be an understatement.

This leads me to think about the motivations for my blog. When I initially set it up, I wanted it to be a place for me to reflect on myself as a teacher. For the most part, I believe I was relatively successful in doing that, however, I was never very consistent. I have recently been pondering what my next steps are and why I would possibly want to keep a blog. Can I be more consistent? Why am I doing it now? Have my reasons to blog changed?

I can't really answer those questions yet but what I do know is that I am feeling invigorated, motivated and engaged in my profession more than I have before. I am connecting with a wider Professional Learning Network (PLN) more frequently and engaging in conversations that either challenge my own thinking, or lead others to challenge theirs.

I want to use this platform to explore my thinking 'out loud'. To better challenge myself to think deeper about the way I do things or the choices that I make as a teacher. I want to think deeper about effective ways to teach students AND teachers. I want to think deeper about how technology can truly help in the classroom. I want to think deeper about what truly matters when it comes to educating the youth at this period in time. This is my space to be curious and share that with others.

This is my commitment to putting myself out there more frequently and discussing things that are relevant to me or my current professional situation. This is my commitment to being open, honest, curious and critical. My commitment to ask, Why? This is my commitment to keep PONDERING!