I've been testing, vetting, and curating digital resources since my first year of teaching in 2010. I was a brand new teacher in a 7th grade ELA classroom that was one to one with desktop computers. I wanted students to use those computers for typing essays and answers, sure, but I wanted them to use them for so much more. I saw so much potential. So that's when my search for free and high quality educational resources for students began. That was also right after teachers all across the state had gotten laid off the spring prior. There was not money for subscriptions, and first year teachers don't make a lot of money. A few years later I became a technology leader in my building along with one of my friends and colleagues. We helped teachers see uses for our schools iPad cart, trained them on how to use them, found apps that they could use with their students, etc. That's when I started becoming a leader in educational technology. I saw how colleagues didn't always have the time or technological savvy to find resources or know how to use them. I wanted to help them. A year or two ago I decided to up my game with my professional Twitter account and grow my PLN. Why? Because I saw how many resources people were sharing. I had been saving and retweeting but didn't really have my own voice on Twitter. I wanted to have a voice. I wanted to be a part of the conversation. So in addition to gathering and retweeting, I began to share more of my own ideas, favorite tools, etc. My PLN grew, and I am getting more ideas and meeting more educators than ever before. This summer I took the Apple Certified quizzes after I learned about them, because I knew I would pass them easily. (I'm an avid Apple user.) And I always fall in love with a new technology tool each summer. This summer I fell in love with Flipgrid. It has amazing potential for amplifying student voice. I was one of those students that worked hard and loved school but that was also quiet and never spoke out. Flipgrid wouldn't have given me the option to stay silent, but Flipgrid would've also allowed me to plan or do retakes and relieved some of the pressure of being called on in front of all of my peers. I started earning badges and working on becoming a Flipgrid Ambassador. Why? Because I was excited! Because I saw the potential! Because I wanted to learn from others and share this tool with others! This summer I started this blog, and yes, I did put some of my educational technology badges on my home page. Why? Because I'm proud that I'm taking control of my own professional growth and learning. Teachers often create/foster their own professional development by choice. Why did I start a blog? To jump in and share my journey. Why am I telling you all of this? Because a New York Times article this morning makes it sound like teachers are earning badges, becoming ambassadors, and promoting educational technology tools on social media for all the wrong reasons. Folks, most teachers are not promoting this resources to get a free T-shirt or a free account or whatever else companies might give away. They're promoting them because they believe in those products. They see their potential. All educators know that teachers are always short on time and always have a never ending to do list, and we want to help each other find the right fit of resources. All educators know that teachers are always short on time and always have a never ending to do list, and we want to help each other find the right fit of resources. I would be foolish not to consider that there may be a few educators out there getting more substantial kickbacks from some of these companies. In which case, we do need to be aware of that and watchful others do not go down that path, but IF that exists, they are NOT the overwhelming majority. And I worry that this article will create scrutiny or negative feedback for educators that do not deserve it. Educational technology leaders, tweeters, ambassadors, etc. want to help each other out by vetting and recommending resources, sharing what does or doesn't work for us. We want to grow together. We want to connect to other educators on social media. We use hashtags and mentions to see other ideas on the same topic or tools, to show people which tool we're talking about, or whatever other reason. We shouldn't need to justify this. We want to learn from each other. We want what is best for our students. Always. We are champions for education and for learning. If these things weren't true, we wouldn't be in this profession. We want what is best for our students. Always. We are champions for education and for learning. If these things weren't true, we wouldn't be in this profession. I think every negative article I've ever seen about teachers applies to 1% or less of the profession. So please remember to take those articles with a grain of salt.
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