Tech Task #2 - Let's Get Connected

Technology is one of those things that is always changing. When I was younger, I spent lots of time in front of a computer (back before there were smartphones). I had thought to myself "I'm always going to be in the know when it comes to technology, how hard will it be". Turns out, it's a bit harder than I thought it was going to be. Turns out, in the world of technology, things develop fast. Like, REALLY fast. I remember buying a map to go to a conference at Red River Community College at a gas station because at the time I only had a flip phone (Nokia master-race) and I didn't know how to get to the college. Approximately two years later, I had my first smartphone, and suddenly I wasn't able to just call and text, but I had a mini-computer in my pocket. I think it was at this point in time where I went from being a tech wizard to just treading water.

What I didn't realize is that as you get used to the way things are, it makes learning new things a bit harder (now I sound like an old man...). This is actually where teaching has helped me. I see students who are wizzes with this stuff, and learning new things all the time, that it makes me want to join in on the fun as well! I also think being in the know with social media and what's the new "in" app helps you to connect with students. I may not be on Tik Tok, but I always do my best to try and learn the new dances. I am a master at the floss after much practice.

But not only does staying in touch with technology help with student connection, but it can also make your life and job easier! Connecting with other teachers through social media is a great way to get new resources, and have people with who you can collaborate. I find new resources all the time on Twitter, and that's just spending a few minutes a day scrolling through my news feed. And I think we all know of a little site called Teachers Pay Teachers, which has almost anything you could need. You are now not only limited to resources you can find in your school library or a colleague that teaches at the same school as you, you literally have the world at your fingertips! This makes it so much easier to keep your lessons new and interesting, and not let them slowly become boring or out of touch as technology advances.

I'm trying my best to keep in touch with technology and I know it's something that will require constant learning. But if we as teachers don't want to learn, how can we expect our students to want to! They look to us as role models, and I plan to be the best one I can be.