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Social Media's Impact on College Admissions

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Do you remember staying up late researching colleges that had the best mascots? Do you remember looking for colleges that had school colors that matched your aesthetic? Or were you solely researching universities that were aligned with your academic goals? Were you researching a combination of all? Do you remember that feeling of doubt after sending in your applications and just HOPING that one of them would work out? Gone are the days where a singular envelope arrives with no indication whether you were accepted or denied. The anticipation is there, but the announcement has been taken away from many students in 2023. Seeing the email with the subject line “Congratulations” is a clear indicator of good news. Looking in your mailbox and seeing a large envelope with smiling faces of students from the university is also a positive indicator. Students are given the news before they are even able to open the email/document. That is only ONE concept of the modern, college process that many ...
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Reflection Time

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What is technology in education? That is a loaded question. If you have been keeping up with my blog posts from the last several weeks, you know that there are many facets to that other than just integrating computers into the classroom. It’s a wide understanding of what is available in the world- resources, accessibility, data, platforms, etc. and making the most of each of them. This is something that I hadn’t quite grasped at the start of this process.  Learning is growing. We are all growing everyday as we learn more about the world and its opportunities around us. From the start of this technology exploration, I mainly learned about the vast number of resources out there. I hadn’t known about Loom/Screencastify, Twitter Chats, etc. All of these different resources have opened my eyes as to what technology can offer educators in not only the classroom teaching sense, but also the professional growth areas as well.  My views on technology in education are not stagnant. As I...
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My First Tattoo! (Digital)

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When we think about tattoos, we think about the rebellious eighteen-year-old who is so excited to finally make a choice for themselves! We think about those passionate conversation we had from sixteen to eighteen years old about what mark we want left on our bodies that represents us. However, the interesting part is that some people went through with it, while others (like me) chickened out.  Even if you were scared of getting some ink back in the day, you still have some permanence in this world (even though it might not be physical). This permanence has grown in conjunction with the internet. As the years went on, my generation learned that our digital presence (now a digital tattoo) was something that would never go away online. Like it or not, we all have a tattoo.  These tattoos, however, do not have to be a bad thing! These tattoos can show our achievements/honors, etc. from our professional and personal lives. As we do need to be careful on what we share online, we als...
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Professional Learning Networks through Twitter/X

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A quality educator is one that is constantly reflecting. We need to think about how we can improve and do better for our students. But how can we do that? The best and most effective way to improve our own styles, viewpoints, etc. is by connecting with other teachers. A strategy that worked for them, may work for us! Whether the professional learning network (PLN) is in person, on Facebook, or on Twitter, all platforms serve the same purpose- connection.  Having a professional account on a social media site has always appealed to me. I always wondered why my school district did not encourage this as a way for not only students and parents, but district admin, to get a glimpse into the classrooms. With that in mind, I was excited to create a professional Twitter/X account to begin connecting with other educators across the nation.  The first thing I did was search for organizations and people to follow on Twitter/X. I already had a few in mind because of different podcasts or ...
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The Importance of Accessibility Tools

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When we think accessibility in the classroom, our minds go a million different directions. Are we thinking about accessibility of texts/reading, accessibility of information through the internet, or even accessibility to classroom materials like pens, pencils, and notebooks? Although all are important, supporting students with documented needs is always one of my priorities.  A support that students in my school district have access to is the Immersive Reader tool in Microsoft Teams. The cool thing about this tool is that the tool is not limited to the accounts of certain students. All students have access to the Immersive Reader and can use it for different purposes.  The Immersive Reader can read the text to students, translate the text, adjust sizing and spacing, and even change the background of the text! If you would like more information about the Immersive Reader tool in Microsoft Teams or how to use it, check out my Loom video below.  Video Source: Author's Loom ...
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Research in Education

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The world around us is ever-changing. The students that sit in front of us on a daily basis are also changing. They are products of their environment- as are we… as is everyone in this world! With that in mind, educators need to continue learning about the world and the technological advances that are some of the biggest influencers to our youth.  When thinking about technology, my mind initially goes to safety on the internet. This is something that I regularly speak to my students about. They are over the conversations about stranger danger and protecting your personal information. Nowadays, I need to expand the conversation towards having students understand the difference between a credible and sage website versus one that can hack or take over your computer.  As I worry about our youth and how vulnerable the internet makes us all, I also think about the cybersecurity training my district has given me about maintaining privacy. When reviewing the data set out by Project To...
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Active Learning Inside The Classroom

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What is active learning? Active learning is a popular term among educators in 2023. It is a common phrase a candidate might hear when they are interviewing with a new school district. It is a term that captures a lot, but ultimately means one thing- students first.  Active learning can only happen in a student-centered classroom. Students need to take ownership over their learning. They need to make decisions, connections, etc. all on their own. If the students are not accountable for their learning, that is a personal choice the student is making. The teacher is not meant to hold their hand in this type of environment.  However, that is not to say that the teacher is not involved in the learning process. The teacher is still facilitating the classroom, ensuring students are on the right track, answering questions, etc. The teacher is able to give more individualized attention and instruction where it needs to be and at the student’s level because students are not in a whole-c...
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