Keeping Up!

How to keep up with the latest and greatest is an ongoing dilemma.  Whether it is the latest news, the latest app, or the latest classroom technology, I often feel like I am constantly behind in the race.  First, I would like to offer some insight regarding this dilemma and then second, I would like to share with you one way that I use technology to help me save time for what is important and also to keep up with the latest.

From a big picture standpoint, I think it would be beneficial to remind myself that this is not a race.  The analogy is wrong on so many levels, but especially as I look at the goal of reaching every child, I often need to stop right in the moment that I am running so hard and literally drop out of the race.  I need to take the time to live intentionally with my student, or sometimes my colleague, and to realize that the goal of education is for us to learn.  Sometimes we are learning content, but sometimes we are learning what it means to live in relationship with each other.  This last part will never be on a test but it is the most important thing, is it not? 

So now for the second part...and I love the way this lets me use technology to keep up with "philosophical musings".  I use www.ustart.org to keep abreast of news, blog posts and web links that I use most often.  Here is what the site looks like:

But the great thing about ustart is the ability to personalize it.  

So as a reminder for why we do the hard work that we do, a quote from Angela Stockman and Ellen Feig Gray, "Designing compassionate classrooms is wholehearted, messy, and very human work.  There are no quick solutions, bulletproof packages, or lift and drop programs that help people become closer and kinder to one another.  In our experience, this kind of growth is the result of greater thinking. Design thinking."

I can't wait to read their next blog post on my ustart page!