Ever wonder if you are truly trying your hardest? I have had a few days like this lately - wondering if I am trying hard enough to give my students enough technology infused lessons. I tend to give many computer-based projects but am I really stretching their imaginations, their limits, their skills and abilities in the world of technology? Even though I am met with resistance from kids when they have to do something a bit more complex, that involves trying hard (imagine that - kids complaining about critical thinking lol), I still believe and KNOW that the purpose of the assignment and what I am asking of them is not a hard task and although they may not enjoy troubleshooting, hopefully they will enjoy the process after troubleshooting works, and the end result.
"CAN I DO MORE???!!!"
I think many times that my classroom (as technology-enabled as I can make it at the moment), is never quite good enough for what I want to teach and what I want them to learn. There is a bulk content that they need to get from the curriculum but apart from the few traditional ways and things I need to teach (i.e. essay writing), there really isn't anywhere that says I MUST teach this concept in THIS way only. Being creative can be a hard enough task in and of itself when you are trying to stay valid and keep up with the new programs. The idea of a Flat Classroom is something I am really interested in - intrigued by if nothing else. So how do we make this possible? A teacher is limited in certain ways - I know many bloggers out there don't want to believe it - but we are. Not all of us make enough money to just buy supplies for technology out of our own pockets, not all of us are able to access money from our division, or budget that allows us to buy more technological items, and not all of us are ready to throw down the walls of our classroom (just yet).
BALANCE
I am open to learning, excited to try new things and infuse technology everywhere, but sometimes I feel like my life can not just revolve around technology 24/7. Sometimes I need a break - sometimes I need to just read a good book and smell the smell of it (you know what I mean). I get overloaded with my google reader and my email and facebook, and news feeds, and teaching articles and blogs. I always think back to Rob Wall's session at iT Summit called "mark all as read" - I really enjoy this concept. On my google reader every morning I have had about 15 new things to read and truth be told, I don't want to read it. Oh the content is great, but I just don't have the time, or the mental effort to feel like I should be doing more (like I have been talking about this whole time). Where does your sanity end? How far can you be pushed? I enjoy my day just as much a lot of times when I click "mark all as read" and don't even bother checking anything out! Is that bad?
Hi Pricilla, glad to see your still posting.
ReplyDeleteBalance is SO important. A burnt out teacher is a useless teacher.
Have a good year! :P
What's a flat classroom?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think technology can make us tired, day after day. This is why holidays without consistently checking emails or facebook is important. And a holiday can be as simple as reading that good smelling book for a while as you noted.
Oh goodness! It is so important to have balance! And we all have such a limited budget. (I know that I do!)
ReplyDeleteI think the first step is realizing what you want to accomplish and the second step is starting towards one small goal at a time. You cannot get there overnight and when you have a lean budget you have to be creative.
Also, you have to be aware that there are many things to cover in the curriculum and if one thing is added, something has to come out unless you adjust it and teach something you're already doing in a new way.
Good luck! You can do it! Mark all things read - you have to to keep your sanity!
I read a great book by Mark Hurst called Bit literacy where he talks about how important it is to learn to "let bits go" and that is what you're talking about here.
Selecting the important things to do and letting the others go! Good luck and let me know if I may be of any help!
Oh, Rochelle - FYI -- "What's a flat classroom?" You can see our information at http://www.flatclassroomproject.net/ - it is about merging classrooms together to co-create and collaborate using wikis and multimedia!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pcone!
ReplyDeleteI know for sure that I am pretty useless when I am over-worked, over-stretched and over-stressed, and I think it is super important to remember that it isn't just me that suffers when I let myself get to that point.
Rochelle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! I agree that holidays should be meant for a break from life - not just your work! Taking time to enjoy the things you love, like reading a book, is really essential to the keyword BALANCE!
Thanks Vicki!
ReplyDeleteI really apprecaite you taking time to comment on my post! I find your opinion very valuable. It's all about 'baby steps' when it comes to achieving your goals - totally true. I have been concentrating more of my time on breaking down goals to be more manageable - not just in school but in life as well.
I will have to check out that book, too! Thanks again Vicki!