Networking as servants of Christ

       As teachers, we are always on the hunt for new ways to assist our students and promote higher learning. For all students however, learning can look and appear in a variety of ways. Some students may take a different approach to learning and others may require some form of assistive technology. Here lies the issue. Can the educator fulfill the needs of the student if the educator themselves aren't equipped mentally or technologically? Assistive technology, and any technology for that matter is going to be a crucial part of any classroom, but can a teacher relate and build trust with the student without being equipped with the tools to "speak their language?" I've interacted with teachers, coaches, and counselors who aren't well acquainted with certain technologies or strategies to help their students and they are okay with it. They have accepted that there may be some students they "can't reach" or may "pass off" to other teachers mor...

       In the world of education, there is talk of ways to interpret and adjust to the new wave of technology that has plowed its way into our culture. Cell phones, computers, video games, video calls, zoom, google meet, these are all applications that have changed the dynamic of our social system as well as how we communicate both in school and at home. While it's assumed that technology has a strictly positive influence, we often overlook the ways that technology inhibits our youth's ability to communicate.      The main obstacle within education in my opinion has always been whether or not there is collaboration and interaction within the virtual world. Since technology is a tool most teachers and even parents want to utilize, virtual learning and conferencing is unavoidable, but can the students experience the same level of interaction through a screen? A video or face time call is assumed to be effective because you can see the other person/ ...

 Google Maps and Google Earth are useful applications brought to us through Apple some time ago. These apps were designed to act as navigation tools and/or GPS for us in our day to day activities. Going on trips, finding a new grocery store, or traveling to a new location were all made simpler. However these apps have a lot more worth than just a fancy GPS system. Like Google Earth’s website states, education is enhanced and created through discovery.  The use of Google Earth is a widely used tool in many classrooms across the country. Not only can students access maps and roads anywhere in the world, they can utilize the 3D map function to feel as if they are actually in the location they searched for. This feature shows an almost real time image of the location, with a 3D toggle that allows 360 viewing. A student can quite literally explore any location as if they were journeying and exploring themselves. This feature allows the student to get a better understanding of geogr...

 Our world today is heavily influenced by the various forms of technology that we use. More specifically, the way we communicate is perhaps the most affected. Digital communication makes us "closer" than we ever have been via instant emails, texts, face-time calls, etc. We can communicate with our friends and family instantly, but are we communicating with the same empathy as we have in the pre digital "era?" The common theme when it comes to communicating digitally is that the face-to-face value and dialogue is lost. There is no reading of body language or ability to empathize with the person you are talking to. The argument in favor of digital communication is the efficiency and versatility that comes with being able to talk all the time, from almost anywhere, with basically anyone. So which is the "correct" point of view?  Let's address what digital communication looks like in a classroom setting. Being able to communicate with parents is almost as ...

 Networking as servants of Christ      Networking is generally understood through the platform in which it is created. Social media platforms, newsletters, blogs, groups...these are all ways we interpret what networking is. However, networking is not the means in which we communicate and discuss, but rather the communication itself. As we see in the bible, there were very effective systems of networking without the use of the internet or blogs. Networking is the support and communication of the people themselves. When ideas are shared within a community, networking is taking place, and this networking is only as effective as its members availability and willingness to contribute. In this regard, we are servants of Christ. We are called not just to take knowledge from forums and blogs but rather to contribute and offer additional perspectives and ideas with the hopes of offering a new point of view or idea.  Online there are many resources to utilize and gather d...