"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
Hey PLN, it has been a long time since I've been in a chat. JP, community college educator in computer info systems, and if I tell you my secret talent, it's not exactly a secret anymore. #edtechafterdark
Good evening, friends! Sylvia, Academic Coach / ENG Tchr at Title 1 HS in Tampa, FL ... #EdTechAfterDark ... Have you checked out the soft launch of my slow chat #HackLearningDaily
Hey y’all! I’m caitlin, I’m a 4th grade teacher in ELA/SS, & my super power is instantly becoming more awkward than the student being pick on at any moment. #EdTechAfterDark
Well hello #edtechafterdark, Dene G joining in from Orlando, FL, a grades 4-5 ELA/Tech/Gifted Teacher. Secret talent....hmm...I do read minds here and there. haha.
A1: it means knowing that I am not the smartest person in any room. Believing that those around me always have something to teach me. Know better. Do better. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: To me a life long learner is continuing learn more about the things we are curious about whether it is related to our job or personal interests. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 I believe it is about always raising the personal barre of success ... proving excellence through data, documentation, or results ... it’s about being innovative in planning, instruction, prof growth #EdTechAfterDark
A1) Having a lifelong learning mission means being humble enough to know you don’t know. Too often we carve out areas of expertise and stay in our lane. We have to be willing to enter spaces we haven’t mastered yet. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: You find/seek learning everywhere...learning is not offensive...doesn't mean there's something wrong...if we only learn when we have a deficit we'll never rise up #EdTechAfterDark
Hello everyone, Vic an AP from the Dallas area. My secret talent is that I can look like I am intensely paying attention to what you are saying but I’m not paying attention to you one bit!!!#EdTechAfterDark
A1: I see every moment as an opportunity to learn. Honestly, I learn officially and unofficially, on the record and off the record, yet it all moves me forward. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 I spent nearly 15 years trying to figure out a way to talk with students about artworks in a way that was meaningful, relevant and joyful. Once I figured it out, I’ve been trying to become better at it. Personal learning=meaningful learning for my students. #edtechafterdark
A1. I teach in Computer & Office Tech and as #edtech educators we know that technology & trends are constantly changing. Like the great Gretsky, we have to skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been. #edtechafterdark
A1: A lifelong learner is someone who continues to learn based on their interests. Learning is not forced but used as a means of growing individually. #EDL577UM#UMedTech#EdTechAfterDark
A1 learning is contagious. You have to want to learn something to get others to have the same desire. I am always looking at how to improve my process. Always learning to be better #EdTechAfterDark
A1: Having a life-long learning mission means never being complacent in your own learning. Knowing there’s always someone who knows more than you. And understanding that kids benefit from your candor and openness about these things. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 learning is personal to the individual. When you share your passion for learning and what you have learned, people learn a little about you #EdTechAfterDark
A2: My mission in education is to show Ss the path that learning offers...to show them that their life can be better if they choose...the opportunities within education #EdTechAfterDark
A1) One part of being a life-long learner that is omitted is that we make mistakes. The life-Long learning comes from learning from those mistakes. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 My mission as an educator is to help colleagues and students connect meaningfully to artworks, books, songs, movies etc. so that they can explore, comprehend and communicate what it means to be human. #edtechafterdark
A2- I say it's to ensure my S learn certain skills or knowledge, but that's the icing on the cake. The first mission is to create a safe environment, realizing its often a much needed sanctuary for students ( and myself ). #edtechafterdark
A1 getting lost is so true ... my mission ... To encourage life long learning and impact student learning through excellent teaching practices ... #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I’m on a mission...to show each child a mirror of their true selves, the reflection of their brilliant, wise, incredible selves, worth diamonds and gold and love and energy. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: As a T w/ a mandated end of course exam, when I can show the students how much they have grown as learners through the data collected during the yr. It empowers the Ss as learners. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 this may be to simple for some, but I want to make a difference in one kid’s learning journey everyday. That keeps me in track. The sparkle in that one student’s eyes is gold. #edtechafterdark
A2 sometimes missions get too complicated. There are so many moving parts. I try to break it down to one thing that I know that matters. 1 student: 1 goal #edtechafterdark
A2. My mission is to pick up our students& put them on my shoulders to show them a different perspective on their lives. There are always options & it is my job to reveal them to our Ss. #EdTechAfterDark
A1) Being able to acknowledgethat the way something shapes out in our mind is not how it comes together in someone else’s mind. #Perspective#EdTechAfterDark
A2: My mission is to IMPACT. I can "teach" all day and never "reach" my students...I'd consider that not good enough. My goal is to "reach" on the daily...it's deeper and goes a lot further. #EdTechAfterDark
Love this! Empowering students to know that their voice can bring about change is what we should all strive for! #EdTechAfterDark Thanks @alexstubenbort
A2b I’ve also started digging into “Radical Candor,” recommended by the awesome @mrkalb. Criticism is something we should invite and seek out. Steve Jobs articulated this: “At Apple we hire people to tell us what to do, not the other way around.” #EdTechAfterDark
A3 We start every unit unpacking my focus standards and embedded assessments #springboardPL ... they, in essence, get my lesson plan with that form so they know why we are doing what we do #EdTechAfterDark
A3 process is everything. In learning, it actually the only thing. A lot times you arrive at the right answer, but it is the path that gets you there that counts. Students need to see you process so they can understand how they process #EdTechAfterDark
There are lousy days and in those moments you feel like you're not reaching them. But you do make an impact; you just won't find out until later down the road. #edtechafterdark
A2: My mission is to IMPACT. I can "teach" all day and never "reach" my students...I'd consider that not good enough. My goal is to "reach" on the daily...it's deeper and goes a lot further. #EdTechAfterDark
I hear that. I believe in being intentional. You're right though about not ever fully knowing the totality of your impact, I like to take the active role in that.. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: As an AP that oversees discipline, it is critical that every student knows the WHY of disciplinary decisions. It is NEVER because their mistakes define them. It is ALWAYS because I value their humanity and desire for it to remain intact. #EdTechAfterDark
A3. You have to make the learning meaningful and what they can relate to. For example, in learning Excel spreadsheets Ss can create their own personal budgets which can help in better financial decisions. #edtechafterdark
A3: I believe starting with the WHY often makes the WHAT much easier to undertake, not to mention the new meaning it gives the HOW and who knows WHERE students will go with it WHEN you approach this way #EdTechAfterDark
A3: I am intentional w/ showing my Ss why we do something in class. Data is powerful! When they didn't like a flipped-unit, I shared their data pre-full flipped unit and post-flipped unit. They saw the "method to my madness." #EdTechAfterDark
A3: I include my students in on the decisison making process and allow them to share their thinking when it comes to lessons, assignments, and tests. Having an active role in their learning is key to developing 21st century learners. #EDL577UM#UMedTech#EdTechAfterDark
A4 this year, I’ve “served 2 masters” - tchr & coach ... very difficult to prioritize when they both are imp’t ... changing to FT coach so that I can focus on impact tchrs > sts #EdTechAfterDark
A4 one of the obstacles that I faced was me, I removed from the teaching and became a learner. Everyone in the room became a teacher and a learner. We are able get deeper to understand materials together #edtechafterdark
A4. You have to first figure out what those obstacles are. Whatever it is you're looking at, you need to honestly ask yourself if it's helping or distracting you from your mission. If it isn't, you have to drop it and concentrate your energies elsewhere. #edtechafterdark#280char
A4: I think I get in my own way sometimes. It's the enemy "in-a-me" that analyzes all the time..it's good and bad. Would love to analyze less, or least to the degree that I don't talk myself out of something grand.. #EdTechAfterDark
3 brick layers were asked what they were doing:
Builder one: “laying brick”
Builder two: “constructing a wall”
Builder three: “building a temple”
Which brick layer found fulfillment in their work? Whose work mattered?
#EdTechAfterDark
A4: One obstacle I would like to overcome is always trying to help others. My priorites get pushed to the side because I am always willing to drop everything to help someone else. #EDL577UM#UMedTech. #EdTechAfterDark
A4. I think removing/distancing myself from ppl who really do not put kids first. They tend to slow down progress on helping Ss reach their potential. #EdTechAfterDark
A5 i don’t know how to turn the learner part of my brain off. I am always looking at things saying how can I use this or that. Look at us here in a chat at this time. I used to get up early to participate in Aussie chats. Crazy. #edtechafterdark
A5.1: We just had Spring Break. I didn't assign any work to my Ss. I literally turned on the "away from my desk" message to my email and didn't open my laptop during that Break. And that's what I told my Ss when they asked if I graded something over break #EdTechAfterDark
A5 my fathers hospitalization made my priorities clear - I leave my work at work ... I’ve skimmed down my assignments & run class like a team - practice & game days - focus is on learning (not compliance) #EdTechAfterDark
A5: You just called my name on this one - always busy working on something. I know I am not as good when I don't refresh somehow..perhaps it's encouraging them to have hobbies and social events, going to their extra activities. #EdTechAfterDark
A5.5: Work in progress for me, but I am learning that I am no good to them if I don't find the time to get away in mind, body and spirit. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: I was afraid that this question would be viewed as hypocritical as we all talk shop at 10:45pm😂👍 but I allow myself to miss from time to time, put the work down when the kids are awake, allow life to take priority from time to time #edtechafterdark
A5. By being organized, efficient & productive in my efforts which gives me time to do other things. I would promote & stress these skills to my fellow educators. #EdTechAfterDark
I will confess that this is my recharge (and thankfully all my kids are in bed supposedly asleep- although I sometimes catch my youngest reading 🤭😍🤓) #EdTechAfterDark
A5: This is where I need help...I am always working! Mom, wife, teacher, entrepreneur, etc. I take everything with me on vacation...HELP! I do have a life outside of these things but they are constantly on my mind and come first. #EDL577UM#UMedTech#EdTechAfterDark
A6 I need to go back to posting my mission in my room and my office ... I also want to live out my learning in my classroom so that I can inspire & empower my sts to want to be life long learners too #EdTechAfterDark
A6: First, remember. I think I will write a mission theme song. That could always be helpful! Since I am in a writing mood it seems..keep the momentum going! #EdTechAfterDark
A5: workout, make art, and always be open to learning new things.. adds up balance to my work line + see the whole picture = let it go
#EdTechAfterDark
A6: Posting my mission is a great start. Sharing with others what to expect when they enter my classroom is important. #EDL577UM#UMedTech#EdTechAfterDark
A6. Second half of semester started which means a new class. New opportunity to fix what didn't work. It's a continual process of refinement of existing things and exploring new ones. #edtechafterdark
A6: I have to be intentional with what we do in class and how I prioritize my extra duties and responsibilities. Remembering that purpose to why I am in Room 213 and keeping that in mind as we finish the year #EdTechAfterDark
A6: when I’m unsure, I will be still and know that he is god... knowing that I don’t have to have all the answers allows me to serve my kids without the anxiety over not being perfect. #EdTechAfterDark
Before the night ends, I would be a fool not to thank you all for enriching my life as an educator. Thank you all for reminding me of my mission. #EdTechAfterDark
A6) We can not continue to tell our students and communities that we are life-long learners and then talk about the end of the year as if learning stops. This is just the beginning. #EdTechAfterDark
@alexstubenbort Thank you for reminding us of the importance of mission and purpose and thank you everyone for embracing it. When the Call and the Passion Collide, great things are inevitable! #EdTechAfterDark
A6) We can not continue to tell our students and communities that we are life-long learners and then talk about the end of the year as if learning stops. This is just the beginning. #EdTechAfterDark
