My beast is a freshman in high school. High school, (if you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing YOUR child in high school yet, just you wait), is a whole. new. ball. game. She is fiercely independent (which she comes by naturally) but is unable to grasp that I am still the conduit to all [...]
The post “13 reasons why” I’m ok being a helicopter momma! #cpchat #leadupchat #momsasprincipals appeared first on Love, Learn, Lead.
Just some random thoughts…
Right now, there are many plans in schools or districts on “effective technology integration”. What is great about these plans is that they are now really focusing on professional learning for all staff to bring them up to speed, and provide a comfort level on the use of technology. What I struggle with is that they are too focused on professional learning for technology, not new and better ways of teaching and learning.
Another component that I am struggling with is the number of “tech leads” that are popping up in districts (or titles that are similar). The focus often is these people will come and help teachers meaningfully integrate technology into their classroom context, yet this is not always the case. For many people that have “technology” in their title, no matter the role, it means to other people “please come fix things in my classroom that use electricity”.
Another concern is that when “technology” is in the title of a position that is not about IT, it almost forces you to find ways to use technology in a classroom setting, whether good or bad. Go to a conference and someone uses Kahoot in a session, and then suddenly you have Kahoot parties popping up all over your school. Is this leading to deeper learning, or simply using technology more in classrooms for the sake of justifying a position?
Finally, I also have a concern that the “techies” and those leading in curriculum see their roles as separate. Why would separate these jobs instead of connecting them? They need to work in collaboration with one another (or see their roles as very similar). There are people reading this right now thinking, “our technology leads and curriculum department work great together”. Kudos to you, because this is often not the situation.
This is why the term “Innovative Teaching and Learning Leads” is one that is so appealing to me. This focus on “innovative” (doing new and better things) leads focusing on teaching and learning means that you are not simply trying to find ways to implement technology, but you are looking for better ways to teach and learn. By the way, you can’t just replace the word “technology” with “innovation” and then magic happens. The role and focus will have have to change. Yet, how often do you see curriculum titles changing to focus on “innovation”? It is usually the “techies”, which ultimately leads to the misconception that “technology equals innovation”.
I am not saying that technology is not important. Although I love technology I do not feel comfortable being associated with the idea that I am an “EdTech”; it has never been my focus. My focus has always been on teaching, learning, and leadership. I just understand that technology is such a major factor in our world today, that I have to continually grow in my use of it, but ensuring it is implemented is not my driver. Better ways of teaching, learning, and leadership are the focus. Is that ultimately what you are trying to do? Does the title of your role suggest something else?
Source: George Couros
Just some random thoughts…
Right now, there are many plans in schools or districts on “effective technology integration”. What is great about these plans is that they are now really focusing on professional learning for all staff to bring them up to speed, and provide a comfort level on the use of technology. What I struggle with is that they are too focused on professional learning for technology, not new and better ways of teaching and learning.
Another component that I am struggling with is the number of “tech leads” that are popping up in districts (or titles that are similar). The focus often is these people will come and help teachers meaningfully integrate technology into their classroom context, yet this is not always the case. For many people that have “technology” in their title, no matter the role, it means to other people “please come fix things in my classroom that use electricity”.
Another concern is that when “technology” is in the title of a position that is not about IT, it almost forces you to find ways to use technology in a classroom setting, whether good or bad. Go to a conference and someone uses Kahoot in a session, and then suddenly you have Kahoot parties popping up all over your school. Is this leading to deeper learning, or simply using technology more in classrooms for the sake of justifying a position?
Finally, I also have a concern that the “techies” and those leading in curriculum see their roles as separate. Why would separate these jobs instead of connecting them? They need to work in collaboration with one another (or see their roles as very similar). There are people reading this right now thinking, “our technology leads and curriculum department work great together”. Kudos to you, because this is often not the situation.
This is why the term “Innovative Teaching and Learning Leads” is one that is so appealing to me. This focus on “innovative” (doing new and better things) leads focusing on teaching and learning means that you are not simply trying to find ways to implement technology, but you are looking for better ways to teach and learn. By the way, you can’t just replace the word “technology” with “innovation” and then magic happens. The role and focus will have have to change. Yet, how often do you see curriculum titles changing to focus on “innovation”? It is usually the “techies”, which ultimately leads to the misconception that “technology equals innovation”.
I am not saying that technology is not important. Although I love technology I do not feel comfortable being associated with the idea that I am an “EdTech”; it has never been my focus. My focus has always been on teaching, learning, and leadership. I just understand that technology is such a major factor in our world today, that I have to continually grow in my use of it, but ensuring it is implemented is not my driver. Better ways of teaching, learning, and leadership are the focus. Is that ultimately what you are trying to do? Does the title of your role suggest something else?
What do you get when you have teacher appreciation and the week before your standardized test all rolled into one? Easy treats for teacher ideas that don’t stress out the principal! I am not the testing coordinator but I still like to add a lil’something to the testing buckets. This year I just bought Reese’s [...]
The post Easy treats for teachers! appeared first on Love, Learn, Lead.
Blueberry Walnut Muffins rise high and mighty, making them a site to behold. This is the perfect recipe to serve for Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fleischmann’s® Yeast. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.
Have you ever had a yeasted muffin? I had not. When the lovely people at Fleischmann’s® Yeast suggested I try their 60 Minute Walnut Muffins using RapidRise™ Yeast, I was intrigued.
Would it be like brioche? A roll? Or an old fashioned muffin?
I’m here to say it’s a combination somewhere in the middle, and they’re absolutely wonderful.
The post Blueberry Walnut Muffins appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
