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Showing posts from November, 2023

Is This the End: Reflecting Back on Google Apps for Education

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  It is now the 12th Cohort, which makes it approximately a decade since I first learned how to use Google Apps for Education. I still remember how in awe I was that these apps existed on a web-based platform and that they did not need software to be downloaded onto the computer. I am still in awe of these apps and more so that the company continues to upgrade its features as technology advances to meet the demands of its users. Because I am self-determined, for this course at least, I am slightly disappointed that I did not learn anything new about the apps itself. What I did learn, however, is that I have used these apps so frequently that they have become necessary in the work that I do each day. It has become evident that embedding technology is needed with today's digital learners and that I as an educator must not only be able to understand and use these apps but also know how to maximize its use to ensure all my students can access my content. I use Google Apps for a multitu...

Of All Things Grateful

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 As the Thanksgiving week draws near, we often find ourselves being overly embraced with many bolstering activities centered around Gratitude. But why must we wait for this season to come to be reminded of all the great things we should be grateful for in our lives? Every waking day of our lives is a reason to be grateful. I can go on and on about all the things we should be grateful for, but I do not believe that I can do it justice. However, I will share a few things in the hope that those of you who read this will also take some time this week to reflect on what you are most grateful for.  I am grateful for.... Needless to say, this first one is self-explanatory. There are not enough words or actions that can suffice the gratitude I feel for the Lord.  I am grateful for .... Needless to say without them my existence would be non-existent.  I am grateful for... My forever and always loves of my life. I can never express the overwhelming emotions that I have for my ...

As the Mind Boggles: ChatGPT

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 I have yet to be completely accepting of the whole concept of ChatGPT being used in the classroom. The very idea that an algorithm of sorts can answer open ended questions for students much less write entire paragraphs or even essays for me is still mind boggling. How are we to instill and build our student's critical thinking skills when they can get answers to what we know to be though provoking questions by asking a "bot". The whole idea of Artificial Intelligence slowly creeping and becoming something we are starting to become dependant on can be a scary thought. In education, it is an ongoing conversation and many find this to be a good thing. Apparently, AI is also opening more doors. "Experts" on the matter are emerging everywhere, however the true potential of AI in the world is still an ongoing process. In respect to the "experts", I feel it has become more of a sharing of strategies and adapting to its use in education.  Despite how quickly ...