Using Technology with Purpose

 Hello everyone, welcome!

This week honestly felt like a very real example of the readings about multitasking and technology. Between wrapping up the school year, being in grad school, and co-sponsoring our school’s drama club production of Aladdin, there were definitely a lot of moving parts at once. One idea from this week’s readings that really stood out to me was the idea that people are not actually as good at multitasking as we think we are. I noticed this a lot throughout the week because constantly switching between responsibilities can make it harder to fully focus, even when everything is still getting done.

At the same time, I also had one of those moments where technology genuinely made life easier in a meaningful way. After our Aladdin production wrapped up, I wanted to create certificates for the students in drama club to celebrate all of their hard work. When I opened Canva, I noticed they had introduced newer AI-supported design features. I decided to try it out, and honestly, it gave me such a helpful starting point almost instantly. I was still able to personalize everything and make it fit our Aladdin theme, but having that initial design support saved time and helped the whole process feel a lot more manageable during such a busy week.

That experience connected back to the readings for me because it reminded me that technology itself is not automatically good or bad. One of the articles discussed how technology should be used intentionally rather than assuming it automatically improves learning or productivity. I think that applies to educators too. Sometimes technology can become distracting or overstimulating, but other times it can support creativity, organization, efficiency, and engagement in really meaningful ways.

I also see this balance in my elementary classroom. Students are often very confident using technology socially, but they still need support when it comes to focus, critical thinking, and using technology meaningfully for learning. At the same time, interactive tools and digital activities can increase engagement, independence, creativity, and collaboration when they are used with purpose and clear structure.

Overall, this week reminded me that technology works best when it supports people rather than overwhelms them. Even during busy seasons, I think intentional digital tools can help educators create meaningful experiences while still leaving room for creativity, connection, and the human side of learning.