Goals, Learning and Podcasts...

It's that time of year again... everyone is setting goals for the new year and brainstorming ways to reach them.  Personally and professionally, setting goals and reflecting on them is important to me. Until earlier this week, I honestly hadn't thought of any particularly "new" goals for 2016, I was still reflecting on recent goals/progress.  When I read +ShakeUpLearning (Kacey Bell) blog post titled "16 Things Teachers Should Try in 2016" my mind was spinning.  Not only was this post a way for me to reflect, but a great way to focus on new goals.  It also fits perfectly with some information I recently shared with teachers in our district regarding all the FREE professional development and learning opportunities surrounding us. I love YouTube. I use Voxer to learn daily. Twitter is my favorite PD. I learn from students all the time.

Looking at this list... as crazy as it sounds, I have not been one to dive into Podcasts.  Several  EDU friends +Kristina Peters +Brent Catlett +Josh Allen +Craig Badura +Devin Schoening participate, share, and discuss podcasts that they love, learn from and recommend.  So.... I have decided that I am going to take the plunge into Podcasts as another way to learn and reflect.

So.... Bring it on, friends!  I am excited to hear recommendations from all of you. What are your favorite educational and/or edtech podcasts?  Maybe we can start a Voxer Group for sharing and reflecting!!  Here's to more learning!!

"Falling" into a routine...

With a new school year comes new routines, procedures and schedules.  Like many of you, I find myself adjusting at home and at school.  Whether, it is transporting my kids to daycare/school, traveling to various schools, or collaborating with teachers, I find myself adjusting my routines.

Some of these routines involve making time to learn and grow myself.  I am not talking about taking classes.  I am talking about all the opportunities that are available day in and day out just by being connected. Whether it is Twitter, Google Plus, Blog Posts, or Voxer groups, there is always something to learn.  I love that these opportunities are there for me when I need it. If I have a question, I simply post, tweet, Vox or text and BAM, I have suggestion in minutes. Many times I don't have a question, but by following so many awesome people and hashtags on Twitter, lurking allows me to learn more than I could imagine.   The opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from so many awesome educators around the world is amazing.  And just think, with technology our students have these same opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn!!

Obviously, "Falling" into a routine means making the time to learn  and sharing what I learn with others. So as I work to balance and expand my own learning, I also want to focus on the endless possibilities for students. Personally and professionally these routines will allow me to become a better teacher parent, friend, and life-long learner.

The Power of Choice

Following any training, staff development, or conference I attend, I always take time to reflect on the new things I learned, things I want to change, and things that can help me do my job better. Reflections truly allows me to sort out the awesome content and brainstorm ways to use the new things I gained.

A recent in-service on February 27th was no different. This in-service day had a variety of sessions for everyone.  From Marzano learning targets to ALP strategies to awesome tech integration ideas, there was something new for everyone.  This very "modified" Edcamp style day focused on choice.  Teachers had several choices and were able to take control of their learning.  I think they key word here is "CHOICE".  I focus on this word because much of the feedback I received that day involved that simple word.  Several teachers mentioned how much they liked having these choices.

So as I reflect on the day and the feedback I received, I continue to reflect on this power of choice.  If the power of choice means so much to teachers when they are learning, what does that mean to our students?  What choices do students have for their learning?  How often do they have choices?  What happens when they have opportunities to make choices?

I think there is a lot of power in choice.  We all like opportunities to choose.  So as I continue my goal to make learning visible and to blog about learning,  I challenge you to think about the choices and how they can empower learners.

Summer Bucket List: PD to fill your Bucket

Does this beautiful weather have you thinking about Spring or even summer?  Have you started planning your summer fun?  Well, do I have a deal for you....

Be sure to mark your June calendars for some Bucket Filling PD:  This summer I will be conducting technology PD with a different twist.  The theme will be filling your bucket with tech tools and ideas.  There will be six 90 min PD sessions full of tools and ideas that will have your bucket overflowing.

Theme: Summer Bucket list

Bucket #1: Flip Floppin’ photo apps

Bucket #2: Getting Wet with Weebly 

Bucket #3: Sunglasses, Sand and SAMR

Bucket #4: Visors, Vacation and Visible thinking tools

Bucket #5: Campfires, and chrome apps

Bucket #6:  Cooling down with creation and collaboration tools

Bucket #7: Beach Balls and blogging

Bucket #8: Diving into Digital Citizenship

*** Stay tuned for more details and specific dates for this bucket filling good time!

Move it

I know I can't speak for everyone, but here in Nebraska, this weather really gets me excited to move and be outside.  I know all of you in the Northeast are jealous!

 #firedrillweather as my friend +Laura Kroll describes it!

 With these unseasonable temps in January, students seem just as anxious as us to be outside.  Although this is not always possible during the day, you can use the awesome Extension Move it (that my friend +Shelly Mowinkel shared with me) to get your students up and moving periodically during the day. It doesn't get you outside, but does allow for some fun movement in the classroom.  This tool allows you to schedule those necessary "brain breaks" and easily incorporate movement activities that are so important regardless of the weather. So... Let's "Move it, Move it".

The Road to Success is Always Under Construction...

My mind has been spinning with ideas and thoughts for this blog post.  Several reflective conversations, sessions and experiences at the Miami Device Conference were all part of the pieces for this post.  However, upon returning to my school following this conference, it was this simple poster that sparked the title of this post: 

The Road to Success is Always Under Construction

My biggest takeaway from Miami Device was the whole idea of Making Thinking Visible.  This wasn't a new concept by any means, but it was nice to attend several sessions with this concept as a focus.  There is so much to be said about creating a broader audience for students and publishing their work.  That being said, this creates the environment for continuous publishing, revising, reflecting and publishing again.  Students' work is always under construction... The Road to Success is Always Under Construction.

In addition to making student thinking visible, there is value and importance to making teacher thinking visible.  We, too, need to be publishing, sharing, revising and reflecting on our experiences.  When students submit or publish work that needs revision or reflection, we "coach" them through the learning and reflecting process.  As teachers, we also need to learn and reflect on our lessons and experiences in the classroom.  Whether it means reflecting on a lesson integrating technology, trying a new Pinterest lesson, or implementing a new assessment, our Road to Success is Always Under Construction.

So as I reflect on my job, this conference, and my goals as a professional, I will continue to put on my hard hat, travel the road of reflection and visual thinking so that I can model this for others.  Here's to an adventurous trip on the Road to Success...

Individualized PD: My Failed Success

There have been several blog posts, tweets and references at conferences about the importance of individualized PD for Technology Integration.  This is something I thought a lot about last year and even more over the summer.  These thoughts prompted me to a summer offering of Tech On Demand.  Although I believed this was a great idea and felt I would have several take me up on this opportunity, I didn't.  This brought me back to the drawing board as far as expanding opportunities for more individualized PD.  I didn't have any new ideas, just thoughts, passion and a drive to provide learning opportunities for all.

So... weeks have passed since my Tech On Demand "defeat".  I decided to "own" this defeat and continue.  Thinking about some tips I gained from my own summer trainings I decided that I would continue to focus on the following:

1. Building relationships
2. Being available
3. Offering support

I knew these things were KEY as our school transitioned from  1:1 iPads to 1:1 Chromebooks. Another year began and like any other, it was busy. Trainings took place, I offered support, and tried to make a point to be available as much as possible. What I had realized was that scheduling individualized (open) PD opportunities wasn't a lot different than any other "planned" session. Many still didn't know what they didn't know.

This photo represents week TWO of school with Chromebooks and an "impromptu" personalized PD session after school this week.  At one point I had seven people in my office seeking help and suggestions.  It was not planned. It was on their own "need to know" schedule.  The best part... They were helping each other more than I was helping.  I was at the center of facilitating personalized PD.  The conversations, enthusiasm and excitement were awesome!  My professional goals to build relationships, be available, and offer support were coming together.

As educator, we all have those "favorite" days in education. It may have been a memorable event, lesson, student, or class. August 18th, 2014 is an "official" favorite day in my technology integration journey.

Here's to a year of conversations, sharing and enthusiasm for technology integration.