Sunday, October 21, 2012

In the Blink of an Eye


I blinked. As I walked across the busy University of Nebraska-Omaha’s campus, I reached for my daughter’s hand to guide her safely to our new adventure. I blinked…instead of the bouncing and giggly toddler, I laughed with Katie, my English teacher daughter, as we got ready to present a breakout session on technology at the Nebraska School Counseling Association’s annual conference. Time has moved at warp speed the last two decades, and all of the toddler adventures that Katie and I shared have now moved onto professional opportunities for both of us.

In over twenty five years of education, we have moved from the ditto machine to ipads. Truthfully, technology has moved faster than a blink of an eye. It is vital that educators stay in pace with the advances of technology. Katie and I presented on twenty-three different technology programs and apps that can enhance a school’s comprehensive school counseling program. Whether it is a website to help with productivity or an app to help children with storytelling, it is important that school counselors learn the best ways to reach students, their families, and communities. New and ever-changing methods of technology are ways to do just that.
 
Katie and I showed the power of professional development that comes from Twitter and Pinterest. Haiku Deck and Prezi offer new ways of presenting information and telling stories. Evernote and LiveBinders collect information for school counselors in efficient and time-saving ways. Stichit and Bitly show us new ways to share websites and their url addresses with an audience. The power of new technology empowers all school counselors!

Attached is the google document that will enhance educational programs! Start small and try one new idea! Before you blink, you will be communicating and working in more productive ways!




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