Lesson on Identity Becomes Lesson on Technology

On November 3rd, Abby Adams and I taught an 80 minute lesson on the self.  We spent about three weeks preparing a thorough lesson plan which utilized a handful of technologies to engage students in a critical inquiry about what constitutes identity.  Through developing our lesson, we ended up using PollEverywhere, AnkiApp, Quizlet, Google sheets, Google docs, Google slides, Google sites, and Apple TV.  If staying organized and keeping on track was difficult, then learning the technology was near impossible for me.  In order to effectively teach the lesson we prepared, we had to learn how to use each of these technologies. As somebody who has long contemplated the benefits of a Luddite lifestyle, this necessity presented adversity to me. Several times technological elements of our lesson frustrated me, but in time I figured out how to use these tools. While our lesson was well structured, it was our technology that really took the session to another level.  In hindsight, I am extremely grateful we took the risk and learned the new technologies we used. Through this experience I gained a comfort and confidence with technology that a year ago I wouldn't have thought feasible. I now understand what it takes to implement a new form of technology in planning a lesson and moving forward these tools seem less formidable and more powerful.