Six weeks ago I started a Technology in Education class. I thought I was pretty tech savvy compared to most people (ahem my age) because I was already using Google Drive, docs and sheets, social media networks and had the beginnings of a PLN. I had a pretty organized drive and was familiar with some of the ways that students used technology and the Googles in the classroom. Then, I remember my professor opening up our class module prior to our first meeting and as I looked through the list of projects and things we would be working on I was both overwhelmed and realized I had little knowledge about all the advancements technology had in not only education but the world around us!
There have been several mind-blowing, aha! moments while in this class, and to be honest this has been one of my favorite classes! I absolutely have loved learning all the ways that students can not only collaborate with each other, but with their teachers as well. I think that it's amazing that we have gotten to a point where each child can have their voice heard and can give input, even if they are the shy, quiet students. Using websites such as Flip Grid and Voice Thread help to enable this. By using these two sites weekly with my peers, I have seen how students can learn from one another on these platforms.
Everything Google related has been fun to learn. I have already started using and incorporating the different extensions and apps in my everyday life! Just before I wrote this we looked at Google Keep. I don't know if others in my class got excited about learning about this app, but as a busy mom who runs a household and manages multiple lives, I feel like it has been life changing to learn! I love how everything is connected and in one spot. It has been so easy to work on stuff at home, tuck it away in my drive and be able to continue my work at Starbucks or on my phone while waiting for my kids to get out of school.
I have not only grown professionally by learning all these new and exciting ways to physically use technology but also by growing my PLN on Twitter! It is absolutely amazing the network of interactive, inspiring and motivating educators that I can gain knowledge and insight from everyday as a preservice educator.
Fortunately, my professor has been amazing and has easily walked us through everything we now know. Not only that, but she has given examples of how each thing we were learning is used in her classroom or could be used in the classroom. I can't wait to be able to use this fun technology in my classroom, and excited to see all the various, new apps and sites that will be rolled out once I enter the education field!
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