As educators we have all developed a love for life long learning and hope that we ignite bit of that love in our own students...even if it's just one. I love to read and learn, however when it comes to PD, I absolutely loathe attending these classes. I get talked about quite a bit because last year at our Educators of Excellence conference (educators holding training for educators) I showed up with my knitting bag. I was bored numb and hated every moment of being there. So that leaves me in a bit of state writing this entry. I can ramble on about how I will attend technology training, but the truth is I probably won't unless I am mandated to do it. I think the best and most honest entry is I will continue to learn independently and be constant in my technology integration in my lessons. I will fight with the math department for more lab time, continue to find new ways to use my presentation station, and I truly look forward to the Mimio pads we are to receive this fall. I pray the district was wise enough to buy enough programs with the Mimios to make them useful. BTW, my principal and superintendent are EXTREMELY interested in the Inspiration software and I am planning to sit down with my CI to write a grant to the local education foundation for the monies to purchase the licensing. Wish me luck!
I think honestly the best plan is for me, the individual, is to keep abreast of what is new in technology. I started thinking about grant writing last year. I want to write a grant to purchase computer stations for the ELA department or e-readers. I think either of those would be awesome technological editions to our district. I know that I have come across as a techie hater, but I'm not. I just have reservations. But through memberships with associations such as ASCD I can be kept abreast of what is new and exciting, learn more about technology integration, and receive webinars for the training I need without attending boring workshops.
Organizations that I belong to that help me achieve my goals are:
www.ascd.org
www.learner.org
www.pbs.org/teachers
http://eduscapes.com/tap/
These resources keep me abreast of the changing tides in education. And then there is Mr. Padilla, our local techie, he is awesome for learning anything technological.
