Honest learning exposes our vulnerabilities. We have to admit that we do not know everything. If we are further along on our journey, we might accept that we know very little compared to all that there is to know. For educators grappling with all of the curricula and testing mandates, learning how to focus on the skills and content our students actually need is a daunting task. Without being connected to other educators, and accepting that we need to have those deep connections with others in the trenches to trade ideas and customize them for our classrooms, we are not fully servicing our students.
The one area where teachers across the world are looking to share exemplars of practice is in incorporating educational technology. In my teaching career, I was fortunate to have been supported by administrators and other educators who not only provided professional development on tools, but also helped everyone see WHY the shift was taking place. In visiting other schools and speaking with other teachers, I realized that not everyone was as progressive and many craved the support I received.
Luckily, should you want to find vetted resources and lesson ideas for long-term infusion of technology, one click on the Digital Learning Day website provides access to an impressive array of tools. Here anyone can search for resources and interactive lesson planning ideas to help move forward. There are several teachers, schools and districts ahead of the curve. These exemplars have been sought out and are featured on the DLD site. We can all learn from what they have to share. Review the lessons, take what works for you and make it your own.
Want to feel even more inspired to take an edtech risk? Check out all of the celebrations and digital learning taking place on Digital Learning Day on February 5th! You can sign up to watch the events live from the Library of Congress as experts and dignitaries work to make digital learning happen each and every day. Take the pledge, become involved and make digital learning a common occurrence in your classroom. Serve as a role model for your peers and pay it forward! Make a commitment to yourself, your colleagues and your students to keep learning and trying new things.
We are all vulnerable in this brave new world, but we are also all here to help our students succeed. See you February 5th!
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