My EdTech Spotlight article

I recently wrote an article on the concept behind EdTech Spotlights, and figured I'd share it with you all, in case it doesn't make it off the cutting room floor.

Here goes...

"This year, we’ve begun a new initiative that highlights the varied ways in which students use technology to enrich their learning experiences. From producing daily newscasts, to coding on iPods, our students are developing a greater sense for the ways in which technology is and can be used in their daily lives. Through weekly EdTech Spotlights, teachers throughout the school are able to see how their colleagues are leveraging the use of technology for academic purposes. This type of Spotlight has led the way to several practices that can now be seen in classrooms on a regular basis.

At Excel Academy, our girls are doing more than viewing technology. They are interacting with it, expanding their learning through it, and one day, we hope to see many of our scholars build technology tools that others can use. During Computer Science Education Week, over 200 of our scholars participated in the Hour of Code. Within this hour, students were able to program a virtual robot to light up a blue tile, using a simplified programming language. By opening our scholars’ eyes up to the world of technology, understanding it from the inside out, our goal is to increase interest amongst young girls for all fields of technology and computer science. Getting girls interested in technology at an early age, will in turn get more women involved in technological developments and related fields of employment; both adding variety and diversity to a field that is traditionally dominated by men."

My Nerdlution

It's been awhile, so here goes.

After reading a few tweets over the last few days, I learned about this thing called Nerdlution. Normally, I don't subscribe to such "nerdy" undertakings, but this one struck my fancy due to its start date and the ability to encompass more than one goal. Plus, having undertaken two whole jobs for the price of one :(, the sarcastic side of me spoke to my gluttonous side and decided that there's no such thing as "too much". While most may select one or two things to focus on for the next 50 days, I find myself choosing 3 equally important things to do. Maybe it's the overachiever in me, maybe I was just bored. Who knows?

My Nerdlution

1.   Read one chapter a day

I read less now, as a 30-year-old, than I ever have in my whole life. This fact alone is really sad when you couple it with the fact that I have over 3 dozen books that I've only opened once (maybe). That being said, this Nerdlution, will force me to finish those books that I can't believe I ever put down, and pick up those books that I've forgotten all about. 

One chapter at a time, I'll likely be able to finish at least 3 or 4 books over the next 50 days. On a really nerdy note, I just finished the book Lean In, today:)

2.   Write daily

For the last 6 years, I've been trying to write two books. One is about the unbelievable events of one's life; the other is about all of the ridiculous stuff that happens in airports. Writing daily will help me get a little closer to completing both of these books. 

The thing that I love about writing is that the very act of writing can encompass so many different forms. Over the next 50 days, I'll focus on writing chapters and vignettes for my books, I'll write blog posts (for work) every Tuesday and Thursday, I'll build my online portfolio and update my resume, and lastly, I'll compose the many short and long responses for my Google Certified Trainer application.

3.   Coding

This Nerdlution couldn't possibly be complete without the inclusion of some simple coding practice. Ever since I began to code over the summer, I've found myself dreaming of creating apps. and building websites. Just imagine all of the doors that can be opened when one learns to code. There's such a movement in education right now centered on the topic of coding, that it would be a crying shame to miss out on learning this new skill.

Whelp, off to coding now. I wish you all a successful 50 days of Nerdlution!

Adventures in Coding: A Teacher's Perspective, pt. 1

Since coding is all the rage nowadays, I figured I'd spend Summer "Break" learning how to code. I must confess that I was very naive at first, thinking that my mathematical genius would kick in and I'd pick up the coding process in a snap. Boy was I wrong.

I've been using this free program called LearnStreet. The website offers beginner courses in Javascript, Python and Ruby. As a novice Techie, I chose the most "popular" course: Javascript. Mistake #1.

In my opinion Javascript tends to be based more on problem solving and logic, and less on mathematical equations and operations. After venting to my Twitter peeps on the many obstacles in Javascript coding that I have been unable to overcome, Mr. Gauthier (@mrgfactoftheday) suggested that I try Python. So, I did. And to be completely honest, it makes a lot more sense to me.

I like Python, because it is more attuned to mathematical procedures and operations, as opposed to Javascript which uses more logic and syntax in order to complete a code. Python has reminded me of theorems from my high school Pre-Calculus and Algebra II classes. Also, in coding practice, I've learned a lot about myself on a very technical level.

For example, I don't tend to follow rules to a "T", in coding, you have to. I also don't read directions when I think that something should be intuitive. In coding, you MUST read the directions, otherwise you'll get lost, and begin pulling your hair out. So, take my advice, for now...if you're new to coding, and you want to travel down Easy Street first, then start with Python, and once you gain some confidence in your abilities, give logic-based, syntax-heavy Javascript a go.

This is your TechTeacherT, signing off.

Until next time, when I conquer the beginner Python course.

Over and out.

Prepping for first-ever #girlsintechchat

On July 2nd from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST, I'll be hosting a Twitter chat called #girlsintechchat. The goal is to pull together ideas and resources for getting more girls interested in pursuing careers in a Technology field. In this day and age, something just seems wrong about having Technology as a field that boys run. I've personally been a fan of Technology, in particular gaming since I was 5 years old, when my older brother taught me how to play Mario Brothers.

By getting more girls in the mix within their K-12 careers, we're more likely to see diversity in the workplace, and a stronger prospect of gender equality. In today's society where a man's salary outranks that of a woman's the majority of the time, it's important that we teach our girls that equality is a goal worth striving for. By leveling the playing field on the Technology front, I hope that this prospect, this idea of equality in the workplace is something that can be achieved sooner, rather than later.

Since this will be the first #girlsintechchat I'll be seeking input as to the preferred time and date of future #girlsintechchat. Please complete the survey below, so that a regular time/date can be set for future chats.


Thanks so much,

#girlsintechchat Time/date preference Survey

Notes To Self: ISTE 2013 - 15 Lessons Learned

After participating in ISTE13 this past week, I've had an opportunity to reflect on several lessons learned. These specific lessons are not academic in nature, that post will come a little later. Rather, I've formatted this post as a "Notes to self" type of entry, in order to make better decisions next year. In addition, one of my upcoming posts will be about what you should be prepared for when attending ISTE14 in Atlanta next summer.


1.        Eat more.
With all the walking and talking that one is bound to do while at an ISTE Conference, I quickly discovered the necessity of eating more than just once or twice a day. The heat that Texas has to offer is no joke, and while I didn't personally, nor did I hear of anyone fainting, I must say that it is still important to be mindful of one's dietary intake. And, just for the record, an Iced Chai from Starbucks does not equal a meal, or anything close to it.  

2.        Eat out.
Yes, we all love to splurge for room service every now and then, but it's really difficult to make F2F connections with people when you're cooped up in a hotel room for every meal. The few times when I ate at the hotel's restaurant, I remember starting impromptu conversations with other ISTE participants who were also enjoying a nice quiet meal. If you ever want to know where to eat in a foreign city, just get onto Foursquare, and you'll be able to check out the most happening locations within an area.  

3.        Buy the expensive, big bottles of Fiji water.
Let me just start by saying that I'm not a water snob, I just know what's good. When you're staying in a hotel that charges $2 for each little bottle of water you consume, you'd be better off walking over to the nearest drugstore and getting a few large bottles of Fiji. It's good water, and you get a lot more, for a little less $.

4.        Take naps.Many ISTE participants on Twitter have already talked about soaking up information like a sponge. This article talks all about the benefits of taking a nap, and no, it's not just beneficial for "old people". Besides, while taking a nap, you can also give your phone a chance to charge.

5.        Make sure phone is fully charged while out. 
Nowadays, no one likes to be "stranded" without their technology device(s). What's worse is having a phone, a full signal, and a dead battery. If you're the type of person that carries a charger or a spare battery around, then great! If you're not, then remember to recharge your phone before it dies, as my phone did twice. Luckily, I was hotel-bound each time.

6.        Get a hotel with FREE WIFI.Maybe I've been spoiled by always staying in hotels that had free WIFI at previous conferences and events. Either way, I couldn't bring myself to pay $10 a day for access when I could get unlimited access at Starbucks or the Convention Center for free. 

7.         Bring the bare minimum number of technology devices.
Just because ISTE13 was a Technology-based Educational Conference, it doesn't mean that one should bring half a dozen devices. Last year, my device count was rather light, with only my SmartPhone, an iPad, and my MacBook. This year was a bit more intense. I ended up packing my MacBook, iPhone, and both my personal and work iPads. Not to mention the free Surface tablet that 10,000 of us received for free at the event. As if the weight of these devices was not enough, now I have to go through and collate all of the QR codes that I scanned on my iPhone and iPads. Next year, I'll pack way smarter, limiting the devices to a ChromeBook, that I'll get this Christmas, and ONE iPad. Should definitely save a lot of time when being required to shut down devices prior to the flight departure.  

8.         If you know you're receiving a free device, follow the Twitter advice and bring a case.
It would have been really nice to carry around the new Windows Surface tablet in a case or bag, rather than the clunky box that it came in. But I suppose that this uncomfortable clunkiness was bound to be the result of not listening to the nice reminder tweets about bringing a case for the device. Oh well, another lesson learned.

9.        Leave enough room in your suitcase for free schwag.
When you attend a Conference of this size, you know there are going to be a lot of vendors, so be prepared. A recent tweet I read, said that there was one vendor for every three participants. That's a lot of information to take in, and a lot of freebies to receive. Wishing I would have planned accordingly. Thankfully, when I got home late Wednesday evening, my next-door neighbor intercepted me, and offered to carry my overstuffed suitcase up three flights of stairs:)

10.      Pack less.
This kinda goes in line with #9. However, the main reason for packing less is that you're not going to a deserted island, thus anything outside of the 4 or 5 changes of clothes can likely be purchased at a local retail location.

11.      Take comfortable shoes.
Unless you find some type of sick enjoyment out of getting blisters, pack comfortable shoes. In my situation, a roundtrip from the hotel to the Convention Center and back equaled a little over a mile. Multiply that by 3, and tack on another mile or two of walking around the Convention Center, and you're easily looking at about 5 miles worth of walking each day. Now, I realize that there were shuttle buses to and from the hotels, but there's something healthy to be said about choosing walking over riding or driving. Yes, I was that individual wearing Skechers with a maxi dress. In a Conference that is that spread out, comfort takes precedence over style. Next year, I'll definitely be breaking in a few pairs of shoes before taking them down to HotLanta.


12.     Remember username and password to the QR code source for personal business card.
Last year, just in time for ISTE12, I made a bunch of business cards that had a QR code which would link to my resume. Personally, I thought it was pretty sweet. But, when you spend the vast majority of the Conference in obscurity, too timid to converse with anyone, the business cards become relatively useless. Fast forward one year later. Too busy with work to even remember the password, let alone the email address I used to make the QR code, I was a little stuck. Thankfully, the QR code was linked to a GoogleDoc I had created, so all I had to do was change the text to replace my resume with my Twitter handle.
  
13.     Find a better way to make F2F introductions with Twitter followers.
Maybe it's just me, but every time I heard or said the word "following" or "follower", my mind immediately went to Fox's creepy TV show, "The Following". Now, there has got to be a better way to make face to face introductions with someone that you're "following" on Twitter than to say, "Hey, I think I'm one of your followers". Creepy, right?? So, while at the EdTech Karaoke party, I recognized one of the people I followed right away, and said "Krissy?". Thankfully, she wasn't too weirded out by the whole introduction, though it was still a little awkward on my part. I just had this crazy thought where next year, I'll wear some type of oversized sticker that reads "If you think you follow me, I'm @TechTeacherT". Great icebreaker, right?

14.     Make new friends.
In addition to finding your Twitter peeps at a Conference this size, it's also important to make new friends. You know, the ones that you've never communicated with or been connected to. For example, when the plane touched down in San Antonio on Sunday evening, I joined a taxi line that was at least one hundred people deep. While in the incredibly long line, another ISTE participant joined the wait. As we inched our way up to the front of the line, he asked if I'd mind splitting a cab. After seeing cab after cab pass by with only one person in it, I said , "Sure, why not". So, we ended up splitting a cab ride into the city, which in turn, reduced some of the inevitable costs. Plus, meeting this one stranger, and crossing paths with him on a few additional occasions over the course of the week, made it that much easier to realize just how seamlessly we were all connected to one another.



15.     Check in to flight 24 hours in advance, not one hour ahead of time.This problem was one of the most important travel takeaways that I took from this Conference. Southwest is a great airline, really it is. But, I had neglected to read up on the airline prior to checking in, and did not realize until I got to the airport that there were no assigned seats, and that your boarding order was based on when you checked in for your flight. Thus, when you check in an hour or two before your departure time, you can't blame anyone for any inconvenience you may experience, like not being able to access your devices because there's not enough room in the overhead for your bag. I learned my lesson. On the homebound flight, I checked in 24 hours ahead of time, and thankfully was able to get and keep a seat and my bags, as the flight had been overbooked.


Be sure to check out my next post on preparing for ISTE14 in Atlanta, on Monday. Those of you coming from far, far away, will surely find it useful.