You Cannot Be A Lifelong Teacher Unless You Are A Lifelong Learner...

"You cannot be a lifelong teacher unless you are a lifelong learner. Being a connected educator enables that opportunity." --from Tom Whitby

This quote could not come at a better time for me.  At my school, there is a hot debate going on about whether we are going to allow students to use iPads in the classroom - and not only that, but whether we are going to require that each student comes to school with an iPad each day.

There are a ton of things to consider, what about students that can't afford an iPad, what happens when students forget their iPad or it's not charged, what happens when someone takes a picture of the test, and passes it out to all their friends, what happens when one is stolen, what happens when an iPad breaks, and the list goes on and on!

And then there are teachers that are not so comfortable with technology?  Many of them are fabulous teachers - with or without an iPad!

I think this speaks directly to this quote.  I have been teaching for 22 years.  I have taught geometry for at least one period from exactly the same book for every year of those 22 years.  Do I think I do a good job - yes :)  Do I think I could do a better job with the aid of more technology - most definitely yes!  I am so excited for the opportunity for every student in my classroom to have an iPad in their hands while I am teaching.  I am willing to learn!  I want to see how other people are using the iPad...how do they set their classroom up, how do they give and collect assignments, what other opportunities are there for students to learn using the technology??

I am at the point where I need to learn "new tricks!"  I want to be a lifelong learner...I mean how many more years can I keep doing the same old thing - I am starting to bore even myself :)  And, you have to figure that if I am boring myself, what must I be doing to my classes?

To close for today, I found a great website that has a lot of information about teaching with technology.

Educators Technology

Have a great day!