Refill Your Learning Toolbox This Summer

“Summer break”: two words that bring smiles to both teachers and students. For those of us in education, summer is a time for relaxation, reflecting, and also new learning. Whether you are attending a conference like ISTE, or creating your own personalized learning experience, utilizing this “break” to explore new tools and strategies that help expand your teaching toolbox can be very rewarding. Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips.

• Expand Your Classroom Walls: While you’re lounging by the pool, think about how you can share the awesome things going on in your classroom, create a classroom blog or website, share lesson ideas, projects you've tried, or ideas you have for your classroom.

• Try Connecting: Are you a connected educator? How do you develop relationships with other educators, besides the ones at your own school? Instagram, Twitter, or personalized Facebook groups allow you to create your own learning opportunities, anywhere, and anytime. The connections you make through social media lead you to a wealth of knowledge that is not made possible without it.

• Learn From Others: Maybe you are more comfortable connecting with people in person than through the virtual world. Attending conferences, edcamps, and playdates are great ways to make lifelong friends, and connections in your local community.

As we bring this school year to a close, I am sure you will use this summer to relax, but also make some time to reflect. As educators, we must stay current by finding innovative ways to engage students. Don't let the whole summer go by without exploring ways to improve the quality of your instructional practices, by refilling your learning toolbox!