Music is one of my all time favorite pleasures in life. It’s how I joined the whole iPod revolution years ago. I truly feel that certain songs make up the soundtrack to my life. Sometimes music just speaks to you: the right song for the right time at the right place. Usually I keep these songs to myself, but I feel compelled to write about a certain song.
During my two hour drive home from the Tri-State Education Technology Conference (TSETC) in New Jersey last Saturday, I was listening to my “Meet the iPad” playlist. (Yes, I’m geeky enough to have a playlist for my workshop, but that’s not the point I’m making here.) As I sat in New York City traffic, I listened to Jack Johnson’s song “Upside Down”. After a full and exhilarating conference, certain lyrics jumped out at me and reinforced some of the thoughts that were racing through my mind. I’d like to take a moment to share a few of those lyrics and thoughts...
“Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity”
Sometimes I do feel like I am fighting an impossible battle. “What good will an iPod really do?” More than you know apparently. “You know, iPads can’t fix all the problems in education.” I never said they could. “They are a distraction.” Well, a piece of a paper and a pencil can be a distraction too if they are not monitored.
Yes, I do love my personal iPhone and iPad, but the real reason I love using mobile devices in the classroom is because they are socially acceptable, educational, and engaging: they are TOOLS to help educators and students individualize learning. Just like my glasses, sometimes I need them, sometimes I don’t. I often feel like there is an overwhelming majority of teachers who haven’t recognized that the world is changing. Aren’t they curious about all the wonderful technology tools that are available to make learning individualized and engaging? Have they seen how students respond to information when it is presented in a familiar and individualized way? And why do people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I drove to NJ for a free conference on a Saturday all by myself?
For me, TSETC was an opportunity to learn from other educators, as well as educate other educators. It was very encouraging to see over 400 other educators learning and sharing about different technology tools. I felt like the day was filled with minds spreading their wings and I sure hope no one stops their curiosity. A quick search on Twitter for #TSETC tells me curiosity is in full force, and that makes me proud to be a part of TSETC.
“I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone...
I don't want this feeling to go away”
I do think education needs to be turned upside down. For me, TSETC reinforced the idea that passionate educators CAN actually do this. It was a strong reminder for me that what I believe is worth working for and that I’m not the only one out there asking for change. I agree that technology isn’t the answer to all of our issues in education, but I do strongly believe that technology can make us better educators, facilitators, and learners.
“Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem...”
Yes, I know I can’t do everything. But I CAN try. In my ‘live blog’ from TSETC, I mentioned a conversation with a fellow attendee. She was truly shocked to hear that I was asking for change and that I was not tenured. She made note of her concerns for the current economy and her current job. How has education become so that teachers are afraid to ask for what’s best for their students? Isn’t that why we teach? Although I’m not a mom, I am an aunt. When I look at my 18 month old niece, I’m both worried and excited for her future. Will things change? Will she benefit from my efforts? Will other educators care about her future as much as I do? Jack reminds me that “things aren’t always just what they seem” and right now I have renewed faith and energy after this weekend about the future of education. It is bright.
“This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and
Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away”
I take comfort in Jack’s words. I’m thrilled to be an educator in these changing times, and I’m ecstatic to be an advocate for my students’ future. I feel inspired and motivated to take the knowledge I learned at the TSETC and apply it to my own classroom and school. I love the feeling I had driving home from the Tri-State Education Technology Conference and I don’t wan’t that feeling to go away.
Cross-posted on www.iPodsibilities.com
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 11:15PM 
