I love having time over the summer to sink my teeth into learning new technology skills!  Professional and personal learning is life-long and summer break is an ideal, relaxing and rewarding time to surf the net, explore twitter and catch up on professional reading. One of my favourite ways to begin my day is to sit with my coffee at my laptop or iPad and check out my twitter feed.  I have created a rich PLN that suits my professional needs and allows me to learn from other administrators and educators all over the world!  It’s quite amazing how much professional development happens during my summer break in the comfort of my own home.

I am sharing some of my favourite Twitter finds of the summer that are a perfect match for the direction my school is taking in the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.

We have set all of our students and staff up with Google accounts.  Some teachers are very familiar with this platform while others are brand new to using the many features Google offers as a teaching and learning tool.  I “hit the jackpot” when I came across http://indianajen.com/!  You can follow Jennifer Cary on Twitter @TeacherJenCarey.  Here are links to some of her posts; let the learning begin!

1) http://indianajen.com/2014/07/23/10-things-every-teacher-should-be-able-to-do-on-google-docs/

2) http://indianajen.com/2014/08/07/5-ways-to-use-google-presentations-not-as-presentations/

3) http://indianajen.com/2014/08/04/5-great-ways-to-use-google-forms/

4) http://indianajen.com/2013/07/23/2-great-visual-lists-of-ipad-apps-for-students-teachers/

Here is a Google Cheat Sheet for new users and something I plan to share with my students the first week of school as they navigate through their new Google accounts: http://www.scribd.com/doc/233976129/New-Google-Drive-Cheat-Sheet

I am interested in learning more about BYOD as a teaching and learning tool for the upcoming school year in my classroom.  Check out this Epic Toolchest of BYOD tools : http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-epic-byod-toolchest-vicki-davis

For teachers who love to use Guided Reading and are familiar with the CAFE model, here is a great way integrate iPads in your reading program: http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/1-1-ipad-menu-for-guided-reading-apps/

I’ve packed these great sites in my toolbox and I am ready to start off the new school year!