How does technology empower you to build relationships with your students and increase the accessibility of the content you are trying to provide?
Last year I was fortunate enough to receive an iPad as part of my school’s 1-to-1 initiative. But the most powerful thing I have used the iPad for is not any particular app. With my iPad, I can look up the grades of a student I see in the cafeteria, and walk over to that student to give a compliment for something that has been going well. Or I can find students in the hallway and make appointments with them on the spot, instead of asking them to come by my office after school and hoping they remember, or don't have to catch a bus home.
Sometimes technology provides answers to questions you haven't even asked yet. For instance, I knew there had to be a better way to help students with their SAT registrations. I have been working with students one-on-one, answering the same questions again and again, and even helping more the next day when they didn't know how to get past a part while at home. But when Jeff Ream (@CounselingGeek) introduced me to Screencast-o-matic, I was able to create a step-by-step screen-share video to walk my students through the entire registration process. They could watch it day or night, as many times as necessary to help with the task at hand. The Tech Tool Video Blog posts on Jeff's blog inspired me to try something new, and now I have a tool I wasn't even looking for.
Last year I was fortunate enough to receive an iPad as part of my school’s 1-to-1 initiative. But the most powerful thing I have used the iPad for is not any particular app. With my iPad, I can look up the grades of a student I see in the cafeteria, and walk over to that student to give a compliment for something that has been going well. Or I can find students in the hallway and make appointments with them on the spot, instead of asking them to come by my office after school and hoping they remember, or don't have to catch a bus home.
Sometimes technology provides answers to questions you haven't even asked yet. For instance, I knew there had to be a better way to help students with their SAT registrations. I have been working with students one-on-one, answering the same questions again and again, and even helping more the next day when they didn't know how to get past a part while at home. But when Jeff Ream (@CounselingGeek) introduced me to Screencast-o-matic, I was able to create a step-by-step screen-share video to walk my students through the entire registration process. They could watch it day or night, as many times as necessary to help with the task at hand. The Tech Tool Video Blog posts on Jeff's blog inspired me to try something new, and now I have a tool I wasn't even looking for.
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*Credit goes to my wife (@karen_wolfson) for introducing me to Explain Everything, which I used to produce some of the video.
Sometimes technology even helps you do things that really have nothing to do with technology in the first place. I always want to uncover new and effective ways of working with my students, regardless of the medium. I like asking questions and learning from other people. I do this with my colleagues at school and through the people I meet at conferences and programs. Yet a technology tool like Twitter has made it possible for me and thousands of other school counselors to connect and learn great ideas from one another, in ways that would have not been possible without it.
Reminder for 2014: Technology is the how, not the what. #edtech #mdedchat #scchat
— Jeremy Goldman (@MrJGoldman) January 2, 2014
No matter your comfort level with technology, you might be surprised how it can help you reach your goals. Here are some ideas to get started:
Technology is a vehicle to take us where we are going. Where will technology take you?
- Check out Jeff’s blog, www.thecounselinggeek.com, and see how the unique tools he features will inspire you. You never know what will get your creative juices flowing.
- Visit SCOPE (The School Counselor Online Professional Exchange) and learn about more great technology ideas directly from other school counselors just like you. Between communication, organization and presentation tools, there is something for everyone to learn.
- Take a look at the questions and answers asked by school counselors on #SCCrowd. Maybe you will see a discussion that relates back to a thought you have had and say, “This gives me a great idea I can try!”
Technology is a vehicle to take us where we are going. Where will technology take you?