First Post, Introduction

Is there anything better for communication than a good introduction? I'm glad you've found me, brainstorming away in my little corner of the technology world. I'm a recent college grad. specializing in elementary education, substitute teacher, and self-proclaimed techie.

One of the most flattering complement I've received throughout my teaching experiences from other teachers is that I am able to find technologies that keep students engaged, bring information, concepts, and events to students with firsthand, technology enhanced learning experiences. On the other hand, I've also heard teachers say that it's difficult to use technology if you didn't grow up using technology, and that it's often easier to use traditional paper/pencil teaching methods as to avoid the "inevitable" disasters that technology promises.

But just because the traditional paper/pencil teaching methods may work for you, just imagine what could happen with a little technology integration! Yes, those technology disasters do happen. Yes, trying to tackle all of the programs on your classroom computer is difficult. I suggest squeezing in one tip, one website, one method at a time, determining if this little, tiny change is beneficial, and either building upon the small change, or starting over.

When was the last time you sat at your computer and just explored the programs offered to you? Stopped into the technology storage closet for something other than a television? When was the last time you got a headache just trying to find something on a search engine?

This blog, this collection of technology tips and tricks, will be varied and will accommodate a full range of computer skill levels. I want to help you get your class to the computer lab more often, tackle that classroom computer, hunt for quality internet-based learning resources, use that technology resource room, overhaul your teacher web page, create a class blog, and much much more; and I'm really excited about it!

My goal is to update at least once weekly, and I already have a running list of topics I'd like to discuss, so stop by weekly for a bit of Teacher Tech!