I have been using an iPad while visiting classrooms to record my thoughts and observations. It has been easy to then copy and paste from the note page and send my comments and wonderings to the teacher through an email. Instant feedback, which is way cool. The only issue I have seen is the distraction the iPad has caused. It’s pretty common for students to come and ask, “Is that an iPad?”, and want to look at it. I suppose that will wear off a bit as I use this tool more.

While reading danah boyd’s “Favorite Myth-Making News Articles”, myth #3 strikes me: Social media is addictive. Yes, I agree with this on one hand as I look at my social networking and the activity of my family (i.e. email, Twitter, Facebook, Wiki and blog posts, etc.). Though I haven’t fully embraced all of the different venues, I find my interest piqued with some, more than others. Maybe it’s not the sites that are addictive, but the chance to chat and connect with others that is the really addictive part. I believe that’s probably what drives or motivates us to use these tools. Once you begin communicating and chatting, and re-connecting, you want more and find that a whole new opportunity “to talk” and share your experiences with others faces you.

With the start of a new school year, my time has been limited and posting has not really been a priority. I have been enjoying the iPad though. I’m still getting used to the various apps and exploring what is out there to make my work easier, if there is such a thing. I do now have limited wireless access in my school (no, I’m not connecting to the neighbor’s signal), which has been great for use of both my iMac and iPad. I am going paperless in some respects, having canceled my local newspaper and now reading the Journal and Times on the iPad each morning. I am still trying to figure out how the iPad might be used in my role. It is a great tool for completing searches when the need for information is immediate, and handy for scheduling and accessing my calendar. My “wonderings” continue, so if you have other application ideas, please share.

I have been playing with my iPad, and the biggest challenge so far has been in selecting apps. I thought choosing apps for my Droid was difficult. My colleagues have made some great suggestions, and I am exploring how to use those apps and thinking about my day to day needs. Another challenge is that I do not have wireless capabilities in my office, though that is soon to be a problem no more once my package from the Apple store arrives with the needed hardware. I will be working over the next few days, with help from others, to get all my devices to sync. That should make life easier. Interestingly, I did run into a person today that has been using his iPad since they became available. He was first in line. He shared that the iPad has virtually replaced his laptop. Much more time spent on the iPad than his computer. Wonder if I will find that in the months that follow.

Who would have thought I would be blogging. Certainly I didn’t a few months ago. Well here I go, jumping in with both feet, navigating and setting up this page, and being handed an iPad for my use as a participant in the iLead cohort. My goal(s) with technology this year, learn more about what I hear people using out there, begin using the technology and various forums and social networking, explore how the use of other technology can help me in my daily work, and begin to use these forms of technology with my staff, colleagues, and school community.