beyondchips

A quarter of the 21st century will soon elapse, and we must reflect on how we first got acquainted with what we now know as everyday technologies. Did we take formal classes, or did we learn by ourselves through errors? Truth be told, the children in our classrooms and homes have reached levels of proficiencies many of us are choosing not to achieve. The use of technology is a journey to a destination unknown, yet WE KNOW the milestones. Having passed mile markers known as search engines, mobile apps, and social media, how are we going to make meaning of the latest waymark of Artificial Intelligence for ourselves? With all the talk about Artificial Intelligence these days, it can be difficult to find a handle for making sense of it all. As a futurist, technologist, and educator, I strive to find opportunities to reveal a point for understanding technology. On the topic of A.I., the PBS documentary linked below is an excellent primer for getting started.  

State testing starts on Monday and we must take the time to acknowledge and understand the anxiety and stress some of us may be feeling at the moment. The pressure to ensure our students perform well can be overwhelming, and the responsibility we carry on our shoulders is immense. It is also important that we prioritize our well-being at this time. Our mental, emotional, and physical well-being are of vital importance, as they directly impact our capacity to provide the best possible support for our students.   Consider engaging in self-care activities that help manage stress and maintain a positive mindset. This could include mindfulness and relaxation practices, spending time in nature or engaging in hobbies you enjoy, additional sleep and rest, proper nutrition and hydration; exercise, etc. Please remember the power of reaching out to colleagues, administrators, or a counselor for support.   We serve as role models for others and especially to the young people we are surrou...

I start this morning with a personal acknowledgement, I too have room for growth in this area! Consider this... Might there be two types of individuals in our work life? Those we communicate with and those we don't. The reasons we choose not to connect with others vary from one individual to the next. Perhaps we're not feeling like it right now. Everyone gets weary, irritable, busy, and not in the mood to engage in a conversation. Think about what kind of change can we affect by taking a few moments to get to further get to know a student or a colleague. We are humans after all, and we naturally put up barriers that prevent us from interacting with those around us. For many, it is a function of self-preservation, a coping skill. We protect ourselves and grow accustomed to our regular social circles. In the process, we lose sight of the need to reach out and serve those in front of us. Too often, we become mired in our own spheres spending much time in our own moments, that we i...