Monday and Tuesday of this last week I went to a conference in Storm Lake, IA entitled "Teaching with Technology". The conference obviously dealt with how we can use technology to better effect in the teaching profession. There were a few things there that really got me thinking, and it is definitely one of the reasons I am starting this blog. I'm going to just list a few things I thought were really great from the conference along with some brief reflection on the experience.
Favorite quote:
"No one ever bought a 3/4 inch drill bit because they wanted a 3/4 inch drill bit. They bought it because they wanted a 3/4 inch hole." - Doug Johnson's dad.
This quote explains how technology SHOULD be used in our lives. These are tools, they should make things we already do easier, and make possible some things we could not do on our own. I have been guilty many times of looking at new gadgets and wanting them just for the sake of having them. I am hopeful that I can get beyond that and see the possibilities for what I do have and understand how new tools can help me to be a better teacher, friend, husband, son, and person in general.
Favorite Session:
Dr. Z's presentation of technology tools and gadgets.
This presentation was given by one of my professors at the University of Northern Iowa and basically detailed a large number of awesome tools for teachers, techies, and everyone else. Check out his blog @ drzreflects.blogspot.com.
This was the session that got me looking at tech tools in a fun way and got me excited to go home and start blogging, keeping up my facebook page, and thinking about how to use these tools and ideas in the classroom and in my own life.
Anyway, this was a pretty awesome conference and I am hoping it happens again next year so I can go again.
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