"About Me"

Remind everyone about your role, learner age(s), technology environment, and technology stance. My name is Helen Wright. I work in a rural public PreK - 8th grade school. While I understand the importance of technology in the 21st century, I don't use it with my classes a lot. The all have their own chrome books. If we do do something technological with younger students, we will use the ipads. My currant class has inspired me to use more technology during library time.

What are your strengths? I would say my strengths are connection to my students, a love of books, and experience in special education. I only see the classes once a week so it is important for them to trust me.Creating relationships with them helps with classroom management. I love sharing books with the kids, whether during read aloud or suggesting a title for them to read. I notice the more excited I am, the more they are interested.  My training in special ed has helped me with my adaptive classes as well as mainstream. Being clear with expectations and patient while waiting can help different situations.

Where would you like to see some improvement whether for you or for your learners? I would like to be more focused on how I use technology. I find myself getting into too much information while researching for my personnel classes as well as ones I teach.

List 5 topics, ideas, areas or specific readings that you have wanted to explore. 

I would like to learn more about storytelling. I enjoy read aloud but I think I could make them more engaging to my students.

PBIS - we use this in my school and I believe there is more for me to learn.

Creating games like kahoot for my classes to help teach library skills.

Time Management. Teaching classes while running a library (plus getting pulled to sub) can get overwhelming. I would like to focus on managing my time effectively in order to get my tasks accomplished.

Google tools. I know there is more I can be using Google for in my library. I could also be an assistant to other teachers. There is the opportunity to become a google educator by taking tests on your knowledge.

Explain why or how any or all of these impact your learning environment or personal growth?  I touched on this above.

Do you know what direction you already would like to go? I think becoming a Google Educator.

Do you see alignment with the course central questions or outcomes?

This would align with course outcomes in Teaching and Learning #2 : Demonstrate fluency with new educational tools, and articulate the affordances and constraints of such tools to support educational practice.