Impact On My Life
Technology has always been a large part of my life, in fact I only remember a few years where my family did not have a computer in the home. For me technology was always a means to learn, my 
parents were sure to instill that in my mind and heart. I spent hours playing educational games on the computer for additional homework (yes, I was one of those students)! As technology such as laptops and Wi-fi became more readily available I was able to enhance my learn
ing in school through completing research on my own. I take the words “Google it” very seriously. Although Google didn’t exist at that point in time. I was among the first generation of teenagers to acquire cell phones rather than pagers. I was also the among the generation that thought nothing could get better than the AOL “You’ve Got Mail” notice. .
Staying Current In An Ever Changing Technological World
When I began teaching, instructional technology as a profession did not exist. Within five short years instructional technology had become one of the most sought after fields in education. There was a time when using technology in the classroom had overrun the content I was supposed to be teaching. The true key to successful digital learning and leading is finding balance between technology and teaching. When I started integrating technology into my lessons I was overrun by different apps and sites that were incredibly cool. However, many of them were not purposeful for what my students truly needed to be 21st century learners. Students need a way to communicate and collaborate about the content they are required to learn. Thankfully, Learning Management Systems such as Google Classroom, Edmodo, and Canvas have been developed with just that in mind. As I make the switch from classroom teacher to administrator I am going to have to make more of an effort to stay up-to-date on the new technology being produced for the classroom. I know that by being actively involved in PLCs with the department I am over will encourage and allow me to remain vigilant of changes in educational technology.
Consumer vs. Contributor
Throughout my Educational Technology Leadership program I have definitely began to contribute more to my Professional Learning Network. We do not have an instructional technologist in my district and so a few of the teachers on my campus have become somewhat of the instructional technology gurus for the other teachers. This has allowed me to move into a contributor role rather than just a consumer. This blog has become a large part of what and how I contribute to others. I’ve started housing all of my presentations through my ePortfolio which allows me to continue to grow my own knowledge and share information in an easily accessible way with others. As I move into an administrative role I will continue to use my ePortoflio as a way to communicate technological advances to the teachers and campuses I work with.
21st Century Technology
As an educational technology leader it is my job to help my teachers and my students work and conquer 21st century skills. This requires digital information, digital collaboration, and digital problem-solving. With access to technology in everyone’s hands through phones and tablets it is necessary to teach students to harness this remarkable technology in order to further their own way of thinking. As a leader I will look to other leaders who are interested in doing the same things I am in order to help my students and teachers be 21st century thinkers and doers.
References
“21st Century Technology”. Austrialian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1Aqp0sPQo
“AOL: Got Mail”. The Wave Site. Retrieved from http://www.thewavsite.com/AOL/gotmail.wav
Marcinek, A. (March 2014). Technology and teaching: Finding a balance. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
“Samsung Phone”. Google Images. Retrieved on 4/16/2017
“Treasure Math Storm”. Google Images. Retrieved on 4/16/2017
Emily K Garcia 