I am intrigued by all of the teacher blogs out there and have become followers of several...I suppose I should say, learning to become a follower. I feel like I was a little left out of the whole technology boom because I was working in the hospitals and starting a family as all of this technology began to break loose. As I changed professions, I was exposed to a whole new world of resources and programs-exciting and daunting at the same time.
In my first grade classroom, I feel like I fail daily with incorporating technology. It is very easy to take out my favorite smelly markers and writing on my big chart paper. It is so fun-yes, I'm a nerd. So the question is, how will I transition from teacher nerd to teacher geek? (Geek meaning technology savy for those who may be unclear.)
This is my first year teaching first grade, so I am eager to see how I will be able to meet the NETS standards for teachers. As a second grade teacher, it seemed easier because my students entered my room as readers. They were able to create their own Power Point presentations that they presented to their peers. We did centers activities on the laptops daily, and I was using my notepad daily with the projector to teach my lessons.
I suppose I am choosing to believe that I am limited because I don't have a Smart Board or the Elmo, but really I am putting limitations on my thinking because it is easier to put the blame on what I don't have versus on myself. All of us have our own limitations, but I am going make the effort to truly go beyond the expectations and seek new ways to teach the lessons using the technology available.
Being truly reflective, I suppose I can say that my own insecurities are holding me back when it comes to using technology in my classroom. I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you". It is OK if I make mistakes, because that is how one learns. I need to trust God and not be filled with fear or anxiety with new technology. I will choose to embrace it and do my best to learn the new programs and tools in order to be a more effective teacher and provide more engaging lessons for my students.
Even though I was not planning on working on my master's degree quite this soon after becoming a teacher, I feel that it is God's timing for my life and I am learning so much more as a result. I love to learn, thus the title of this blog, and I know that as I trust God to guide my life, I will also trust him to
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