Welcome to The Pragmatic Technologist
Welcome to my new blog, The Pragmatic Technologist!
As some of you know, I was using a different platform and host for my other blog. After many weeks of attempting to log in to that platform from home with constant problems, I decided to move to something and more efficient. In addition, I have to thank Dean Shareski for this. After hearing his presentation at FETC in January, I knew it was time for me to claim my space in the digital world. So, thanks Dean!
I imagine that you wondering how I came up with the name for this blog. I would! Well, I think of myself as a technologist in my classroom. I use as much technology as I possibly can. When something new comes out from the district, or if I see something cool at a workshop or meeting, I will ask how I can get my hands on it. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Either way, I know that my students are going to get much more out of what I do because I really believe in the power of technology in education.
On the other hand, I'm also sort of old school. Sounds strange coming from a person who just wrote the paragraph ahead of this one. Just as important is one's ability to manipulate a keyboard is one's ability to use it to craft a well written text or piece of literature. That's the pragmatic part. Students still have to know the basics in all areas of the curriculum in order to make the technology really work for them. A calculator won't do what you want to if you don't know how numbers and operations work.
So, let me put it together for you: I want my students to be able to use technology as a tool to make their lives easier and more productive. At the same time, my students have to prove tome that they understand the information they need to know in order to move from my classroom to middle school. Pragmatics and technology: an unusual combination perhaps, but an effective on as well.
Now that you know a little bit about how I think, let me tell you what kinds of things you'll find me writing about here. To start, how I use technology on a daily basis in my classroom. As the introduction to The Wide World of Sports used to say, "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat!" You know what I mean. Some days it all works seamlessly, while other days you would probably like to take the computer and toss it out the window. I'll also write about web sites of interest, technology of interest, lessons that were just awesome, and lessons that didn't involve technology at all.
Having technology available is one thing. Using it pragmatically makes all the difference. Again, welcome to The Pragmatic Technologist!
As some of you know, I was using a different platform and host for my other blog. After many weeks of attempting to log in to that platform from home with constant problems, I decided to move to something and more efficient. In addition, I have to thank Dean Shareski for this. After hearing his presentation at FETC in January, I knew it was time for me to claim my space in the digital world. So, thanks Dean!
I imagine that you wondering how I came up with the name for this blog. I would! Well, I think of myself as a technologist in my classroom. I use as much technology as I possibly can. When something new comes out from the district, or if I see something cool at a workshop or meeting, I will ask how I can get my hands on it. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Either way, I know that my students are going to get much more out of what I do because I really believe in the power of technology in education.
On the other hand, I'm also sort of old school. Sounds strange coming from a person who just wrote the paragraph ahead of this one. Just as important is one's ability to manipulate a keyboard is one's ability to use it to craft a well written text or piece of literature. That's the pragmatic part. Students still have to know the basics in all areas of the curriculum in order to make the technology really work for them. A calculator won't do what you want to if you don't know how numbers and operations work.
So, let me put it together for you: I want my students to be able to use technology as a tool to make their lives easier and more productive. At the same time, my students have to prove tome that they understand the information they need to know in order to move from my classroom to middle school. Pragmatics and technology: an unusual combination perhaps, but an effective on as well.
Now that you know a little bit about how I think, let me tell you what kinds of things you'll find me writing about here. To start, how I use technology on a daily basis in my classroom. As the introduction to The Wide World of Sports used to say, "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat!" You know what I mean. Some days it all works seamlessly, while other days you would probably like to take the computer and toss it out the window. I'll also write about web sites of interest, technology of interest, lessons that were just awesome, and lessons that didn't involve technology at all.
Having technology available is one thing. Using it pragmatically makes all the difference. Again, welcome to The Pragmatic Technologist!
David,
Congrats on planting a flag here to claim you place in the EduSphere. I hope to follow your lead soon. I'll admit I'm still wrapping my brain around what it means to have a digital footprint.
I look forward to reading more about how technology dovetails into your teaching.
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