Reflection

As I have been reading feeds and checking out blogs lately I have noticed that many of them have a common thread. Many of my new pals are feeling overwhelmed. I have to admit that I am feeling the same way. I have spent some time thinking about all of this...

When I stop to think where I was less than five months ago... I was a third grade teacher very excited about integrating Palm Pilots, Inspiration, Appleworks, and Knowledge Box into her classroom instruction. I had never heard of wikis, twitter, skype, and the like. Along came July 2007 and the Keystone Technology Integrators Summit. Little did I know that my life was about to change drastically. Every minute of every day I was being exposed to new technology and tools, new people and ideas, new ways to keep in touch! Mike B. was so right on at the Summit, Day one, when he said something like, "you are going to learn new things but, for me, it was more about the people and the connections I made."

There are times that I do feel overwhelmed by all of the tools and technologies that are created and evolving almost daily. Then I stop. I take a second to think about all of the wonderful people I met, the ones who have become my network. I am not in this alone. There are others who share my passion. If I get stuck, if I need to vent, if I can lend an ear or some advice, my network is a click away.

So, as I reflect back, I realize how lucky I am to have had the experiences that I have had, to learn more about how our digital natives learn, to experience some pretty awesome tools to enhance learning and teaching, to connect with others who are just as excited about this stuff as I am, and to be able to have some really incredible brain food! The learning curve is steep right now, but I am truly enjoying the ride! P.S. Kristin H. this is all your fault ;)