Adventures in EdTech

Well, we made it! Throughout the course of this Genius Hour project, I experienced the highs and lows of learning something new - highs when I would get that just right shot and spend an afternoon in my "flow," and lows when that perfect shot wouldn't pan out how I envisioned in my head, coupled with a lack of motivation to keep practicing after a long week. But at the end of the day, the highs and lows I experienced were all part of the process, and I'm proud of myself for seeing the project through, and for carving out some time to learn something that I've been wanting to for years! Yes, I've learned some photography basics like the components of a proper exposure. Did you know that the aperture of a photo is how much light is let in, and that the larger the F-stop, the smaller the aperture, and that smaller aperture results in less depth of field? Or that an increased ISO gives you a brighter shot? Or that the faster your shutter speed, the less light ...

This week, I noticed that I'm definitely someone who needs to schedule time into my day to practice my Genius Hour project or it will surely get away from me! I read in the book Atomic Habits  by James Clear that making things a habit comes easier when you attach the task to another habit you already have. (For example, I will apply moisturizer to my face every time I brush my teeth.) I applied that same theory to this project to help keep me accountable and on-track. Working out is very important to me, whether it is yoga, barre, or pilates, I try to attend a workout class most days of the week. So what better habit to attach practicing my photography skills to than my workout routine? Over the past few weeks, as "the dip" really set in, I tried to bring my camera along with me to my workouts and shoot a little on the walk to the studio or home from the studio to maximize my time in the evenings and on the weekends. While it wasn't a perfect science, and sometimes I ...

When I embarked on this Genius Hour journey of wanting to become a better photographer, I had the end goal of my spring break trip to New Zealand in mind. I envisioned the breathtaking landscape of New Zealand and wanting to learn how to capture the beauty and majesty of such an incredible place in photographic form. However, as I have been tinkering around with my DSLR camera (and my iPhone's camera) over these past two weeks, I've noticed that beauty is actually everywhere... In my sweet niece's smile... In my grandmother's face whose ailing memory was jogged by listening to an Elvis singer in her assisted living facility... And in the first peek of sunshine that Chicago has seen in about two weeks. I have really enjoyed capturing some of these beautiful moments and this project has challenged me to find beauty in the mundane. So perhaps my biggest takeaway from this project so far is that you don't have to be in a foreign country to find photogr...

This week, I dabbled with a few of my Genius Hour topics. My three potential topics - learning to use my camera, learning to surf, and learning to cook - came directly from my 2020 bucket list and are all things I've been wanting to tackle for years now! I took my camera to my niece's 1st birthday party to try to capture some special moments and I did the best I could with what little photography knowledge I remember from the one 6-hour class I took two years ago. My results were mediocre at best, and it certainly didn't help that my adorable 12-month old subject absolutely never. sits. still. However, the feeling I get with a camera in my hand is magical. I love trying to find just the right angle and capture just the right moment or expression.  I was laying on my stomach on the floor in the middle of the party at one point just to "get the shot." Unfortunately, it is disappointing when I look at the tiny screen on the camera to see that the vision I had for a...

For this E-Learning course, we are focusing our energies on a Genius Hour project - curveball: for ourselves! I've had experience with taking students through the Genius Hour process for several years while I was still in the classroom, and I've also helped to lead our district staff through education-related Passion Projects, but I've never completed a Genius Hour or Passion Project of my own. This is EXCITING! I'm the type of person who never stops learning and trying new things, so this type of project is right up my alley. Now, what to focus on? I love to journal in my free time and one of my entries a day or two before the new year was a bucket list for 2020 (pictured). On that list I included things I've always wanted to try, to learn, or to experience, and so what better place to start my Genius Hour project than there? Some bucket list items that could make for excellent Genius Hour projects include: 1) Capture beautiful moments with my camera Two Ch...

The equitable access to technology in schools is a challenge that all districts face in the field of educational technology leadership. Equitable access to technology in schools can look like equitable distribution of devices, the ability to accommodate diverse learners, the ability to access technology at home, and PD so teachers can utilize technology effectively in their classrooms. How does D181 stack up with regard to these areas of equitable access? Currently, all students in grades 3-8 in D181 have a personally deployed device, and devices are shared among students in K-2. Additionally, all buildings have a cart of 30 iPads dedicated to specials courses (art, music, etc.). In terms of accommodating diverse learners in D181, assistive technology services are provided by two full-time assistive technologists,  and in addition, students with special needs have access to district-provided assistive technology devices and software per a student's IEP. Students with 1:1 devices in...