What to do Wednesday: Techno-Phobia

Wednesday's blogs are going to be based on different experiences teachers may have in the classroom. For now, I will create the scenarios and characters and provide feedback on how I would handle the situation. I hope you find this helpful. As our community grows, my vision is to have teachers send me their ideas of what is stressing them out in the classroom so hopefully, I can help.

Dear Lesson Plan Toolbox,

I am a first-year teacher and I can't believe that this is how I am starting my career! Trust me, I am so grateful to have a job but this just isn't what I imagined it to be. 

Anyhow, my school is going back virtually for now and of course, we are working to prepare EVERYTHING! I know that everyone is somewhat in the same boat, but I am so nervous about all of the technology! I am familiar with Google Classroom, but my main platform will be Seesaw. My classroom is going to have a camera that I have no idea how to use or if it is even installed. I am also required to turn in lesson plans, but I am not at all familiar with the lesson plan program!

I am feeling very overwhelmed and I am just not sure what to do. So many teachers keep saying, "Oh you're young,  you'll figure it out." Nobody seems to want to show me. 

Please help!

Techno-Phobia

Dear Techno-Phobia,

First, bravo to you for realizing that you needed to get this off your chest. We're going to piece this together and get you on the right path. Every teacher no matter what is having stress and anxiety this year so this is actually a great time to be a new teacher!

Let's talk about Seesaw! You are going to love it! There are so many great teachers that offer their Seesaw expertise on Instagram. @teachingwithappitude and @adventuresinkinder are two great resources. They have IGTV videos that can help get you started. Youtube also has a plethora of "how-to" videos when it comes to Seesaw. I truly think once you jump into the program, you will find many similarities between Google Classroom and Seesaw.

As for the camera, I would suggest going into your classroom and first checking to see if it is installed. If it's not, then you want to talk with your technology coordinator. If it is, then find the icon or software and simply start playing with it. So often the best way to learn technology is to just do it! If something doesn't work how you want it to, then reach out to another teacher with a specific question. Even if that teacher doesn't know the answer maybe you two can work together to figure it out. 

Finally, when it comes to the lesson plan program perhaps utilize your technology coordinator again. The tech coordinator is usually the one who sets up the classes and schedules so he/she should be able to give you a quick tutorial. If your program has videos on how to best operate the system be sure to watch those too! This will help you not only gain an understanding but to ask appropriate questions. I'm also going to guess that over the next couple of weeks you are going to find a "teacher friend." There is nothing better than finding the teacher that becomes this person. I promise you that when you have your "teacher friend" so much of your stress and anxiety will go away.

I truly hope this helps to ease some of the pressure you are facing. Please reach out to me on IG (@lessonplantoolbox) if you have anything else that you need to get off your chest. That's what I'm here for! Remember to continue to build your Lesson Plan Toolbox.

Teach, Relax, Repeat!

Lauren