We've made it to the end of the summer and the end of TECHsplorations! Congratulations to everyone who has participated. I'm proud of all that you've learned and shared!
And, as I say every week, if this is the first TECHsploration post you have read all summer, there is still time (just a tiny bit!) for you to be a part of the program! Scroll back through the blog and explore anything that is of interest to you. Don't forget to join Twitter and our 80-member-strong list of BMS "tweeters." TECHsplorations is all about working at your own pace and learning new things--don't be afraid to give it a try!
If you only have time to do one thing, make that thing Edmodo. Go back to the first week's post and read about joining and participating in your summer reading book discussions online. The discussion groups are growing every day, and this is a good way to reflect on your chosen summer reading book with colleagues before the school year gets underway.
And, not that you need a reminder, but, one week from today, on Monday, August 27th from 12:30 to 1:00pm in the North Building Lobby, the Technology Department will host its TECHsploration Cupcake Reception! You can indulge in home-made treats, chat with colleagues, and enter a drawing for one of three fabulous tech-themed prizes! All participants of any level are welcome and encouraged to attend!
This week, I'd like us simply to reflect on everything we've learned, explored, shared, read, watched, and discussed this summer. What was your biggest accomplishment? What surprised you? What frustrated you? Who have you gotten to know better as a result of the program? How has your PLN (Personal Learning Network) grown? How can you keep this going all year? And finally, what is the one thing that you will do differently this school year as a result of having participated in TECHsplorations? Tweet us some of your thoughts and take-aways.
In all fairness, if I'm asking you to take time to reflect, I should do the same. Here are my thoughts:
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Google Chrome--I can't imagine why I didn't download it sooner! My biggest accomplishment (and also one of my most frustrating moments) was creating the TECHsplorations Chrome Web App. I got such a thrill out of making it work! My PLN has grown in quality connections with all of you; I feel like we're all really getting the hang of this "connected educator" thing! Sometimes, I only have a moment to check Twitter, and I know that my time will be best spent by reading the latest posts from all of you on the BMS Buddies list. I plan on keeping this going all year through encouraging faculty sharing and by strengthening ties with teachers from across the globe. And finally, the one thing that I plan to do differently as a result of having participated in TECHsplorations is that I want to make my Emerging Technologies class just a little bit more like a video game (that TED talk really stuck with me!).
Please take a moment to complete the survey below (Google Forms at work!) to share your thoughts with us. The Technology Team puts a considerable amount of energy into developing the TECHsplorations program each year, and your feedback is always appreciated. You can choose to include your name or remain anonymous. Thanks for another fantastic summer! See you on Monday for cupcakes!!
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