When Using Technology Obey the the 7 Golden Rules...

http://www.fluency21.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=2070

After reading the blog entitled, The 7 Golden Rules of Using Technology in Schools, based off of Adam S. Bellow, author of the Tech Commandments, and found of eduTeacher,  it got me thinking about various questions that have come up in discussions about technology and its place in schools.  The 7 Golden Rules is a starting point for educational systems to look at to see if they are headed in the right direction when working with and trying to implement technology into schools.

1.  DON'T TRAP TECHNOLOGY IN A ROOM-  "Technology should be like oxygen: ubiquitous, necessary, and invisible." Chris Lehmann, founing principal of Science Leadership Academy
2.  TECHNOLOGY IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-  Professional development is a priority and just can't be done as a one shot deal learning it in an hour long how-to session.  Educators must be properly trained and integrate technology in meaningful ways in their teaching practice.
3.  MOBILE TECHNOLOGY STRETCHES A LONG WAY- Instead of turning technology off at the start of school (cell phone) students could utilize them during class time as they have access to everything.
4.  THE NEW "F WORD" IS FEAR-  We shouldn't be fearful of technology but rather learn it and help our students understand how to use it correctly.
5.  TECH TOOLS ARE NOT JUST A PASSING FAD- We need to embrace what technology can offer us and learn it!
6.  MONEY IS NOT THE PROBLEM- We can't use money as an excuse.
7.  INVITE EVERY STAKEHOLDER TO THE CONVERSATION-  As administrators we can't only rely on teachers input but students, parents, and community people need to be involved as well.

These 7 Golden Rules are good points to keep in mind when thinking about technology and its importance in the educational system as technology isn't a passing fad.  We need to be life long learners when it comes to it and teach our children the benefits of it.

Weekend 2 "Big Ideas, New Learnings, or Reflections"

The topic of work-life balance has been on the for front ever since I started the Drake Program last Fall and it seemingly keeps being brought up.  I'm not even holding an administration position but feel that the multiple roles (or multiple hats I wear) as a wife, mother, teacher, student, daughter, sister, friend are constantly in competition with one another.  As of right now my personal and professional roles are time and energy intensive so how will I ever be able to balance when I'm in administration!? 

After reading the article, "Making Friends With the Clock," I had my ah-ha moment and/or reassurance that I'm on the right track to finding balance in my hectic life, both personal and professional.  Just as the article states, "you need to manage the clock by taking control, involving others, and making smarter decisions," and I did just that (along with my husband) by making friends with Google Calendar.  This simple tool, in the short month or two we have been using it, is helping us wrap our hands around all the things that happen in a day, week, and month in our lives. It makes us aware of each other schedules and enables us to know how we can help each other out in managing it.

I'm beginning to think there is and can be balance when you learn how to work smarter, not harder and involve others to help.