Robin Talkowski’s Blog: Reading & Technology

I have taken some interesting journeys in my life … some are trips that are pure enjoyment; others are intellectually and/or culturally enriching; others are life-changing. Outward Bound tested my physical limits and my fear of heights. My trip to China challenged me to eat pigeon and find my way out of a large park when all the signs were in Chinese. Integrating technology into my teaching resulted in my placing myself outside my comfort zone, feeling totally incompetent, and finding a group of committed, energetic, and supportive educators through Discovery Education’s DEN.

There are some journeys one just lives. They are all consuming. Having children launches one onto a new path filled with unimaginable joys, happiness, and terror. Last February I was launched onto a new path in my life journey that I never desired. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While I have never shared really personal things on my reading and technology blog, I wanted to “set the scene” for how technology helped me continue teaching through some very debilitating treatments. I was determined that my illness was not going to define me nor completely derail what I had worked to help my students accomplish for half a school year. Yes, I missed a lot of school, but technology resources helped me help the learning continue. However, it was not technology alone. My colleagues, family, and friends provided me unlimited support and care. Fellow educators throughout the world provided ideas, resources, and lesson plans on so many sites. They did the thinking and planning for me when I was unable. Thank you!

In future blog entries, I will outline some of resources I used to help the work continue.