Adventures in EdTech

Reflecting back over the past eight weeks, this adult Genius Hour process was a total blast! Some days were easier to get motivated than others, but overall, it was so great to have a goal in mind, action steps to take to achieve it, and an amazing accountability group to help encourage each other along the way! My goal was to get better at photography, and while I feel like I definitely did that, I learned so much more throughout the process. First, I learned that I am so much stronger than I think I am. Even on dark, cold Chicago winter days, I still managed to make time to learn this new craft, and I didn't give up, even when I really wanted to! I also learned, or more so remembered, what it was like to really struggle with learning something new. Photography is NOT easy, and I really had to keep trying and persevering to get a few of the shots I did. (Hello, Instagram versus Reality !) I can definitely apply this to my role as a TOSA, as being out of the classroom, my "s...

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 ...