Many new things to try

     For the past six weeks I have been immersed in the world of educational technology applications. My eyes have been opened up to whole new world of possibilities. I am now  blogging weekly about my preschool technology adventures, creating eBooks through my very own eBook site, using publisher to enhance my monthly classroom news letters, designing and implementing webquests with my preschoolers, developing digital stories with my students using the live movie maker program and staying connected to my parents though a classroom website. My what a little knowledge can do to empower a person. I have never been one to just sit back and let life happen to me, and now that I have a better understanding and grasp on what technology can do to enhance the quality of instruction and overall experience that my students receive I cannot seem to remember a time when I was not utilizing technology. 
     Technology has now become even more a part of who I am, in it I have found an outlet for my creative nature. I have always dreamed big, and now with technology applications like, digital storytelling, blogging, webquests, and personal websites, I am better equipped to teach who I am and what I know to my students.  "Fear not", is the perfect battle cry when facing the challenges this digital world throws my way, because if I had not taken some risks and overcome my apprehensions of using technology with my preschoolers, I would have been limiting the possibilities of not only myself, but my students. 

Encouraging colleagues to learn about and integrate technology into their classrooms

  I think I can encourage my professional colleagues to engage in on going professional development opportunities that integrate more technology by demonstrating how the use of technology allows my daily lessons to take on more relevance and meaning for my students. I think also pointing out that in today's digital world to be an effective educator and best prepare our students for life as productive citizens we need to be integrating the technological tools and skills that are required for day to day interaction and overall success. By doing so we will be producing digitally responsible citizens that can  think critically to solve problems in collaboration with peers while utilizing the latest technology available to them.
  I can serve as a teacher leader in this process by sharing information and knowledge that I have gained. For instance, outlining the benefits of incorporation web quests as a supplement to my lesson plan to engage and reach more learning styles. Or the development of my own website to strengthen the partnership and communication with parents. Or even something as simple as a blog, either following others or creating your own as a way to expand your knowledge and bounce ideas off of other like-minded educators. Technology is all around us every day, it is not something to be feared, but rather explored and embraced for the benefits it can bestow on us in all parts of our lives.

Concerns about using technology with Preschoolers

  When contemplating the integration of more technology into my preschool classroom, I think that my biggest concern is making sure the information and resources I use are relevant and meaningful to my students and that the information and technologies are reliable and valid. There is so much digital information and applications available at the click of a button, that it can sometimes be difficult to sort through the good and the not so good. I also have concerns about always making sure that I credit technology and information in the appropriate way. I know I would not want someone else to claim my hard work as their own, so I try to give credit where credit is due. Teaching the rights and responsibilities of use that go hand in hand with the use of technology is very important. And I think that preschool is not to early to lay the ground work for developing strong skills in this area.
  I think that I could alleviate these concerns by not being afraid to ask questions when I am not clear on something and do research so I am comfortable and familiar with the technologies I am integrating into my daily lessons. I think that by researching and asking questions when I am unclear, I am setting a good example for my students and they will begin to understand the rights and responsibilities that go along with the use of technologies throughout daily life. Because of the example I am setting for them now, I feel that the knowledge and skills needed to use technologies responsibly will become habit for my students, and engaging in them will become second nature.