Robin Talkowski’s Blog: Reading & Technology

A few weeks ago I couldn’t wait for one of my colleagues to arrive at school so that I could show them what I created over the weekend … it was a “blabberized” bear trying to entice my fellow teachers to join the DEN.  I realized the excitement I felt at creating is exactly the type of enthusiasm I want my struggling and often disengaged 7th graders to feel!  My challenge is to teach in a way that engages my students and provides them with opportunities to feel the pride in accomplishment that I experienced that morning.  Lucky for me a few of my colleagues finally arrived, and I was able to share my creation.  Then another teacher wanted to share something on his web site, and a small group of us traveled to his room to view his project.  The great thing is that this early morning informal sharing has become our Friday AM Techie group.  None of us are technology specialists, so our presentations don’t always run smoothly.  However, we have fun, laugh, and learn.  What could be better?  There is no way our excitement, commitment to learning, and problem solving when things don’t work as planned will not also be transmitted to our students.