Eco-Friendly Tips for Educators Staying Savvy over the Summer by Harper Mac

Long, hot summer days bring hours of opportunity to relax and unwind. While reading books, catching up on television or getting a suntan sound like fun, technological advances are moving at light speed. Educators particularly benefit from making time to stay engaged in technology. They have an unprecedented opportunity to be a resource for new generations of children for whom learning a programming language is every bit as important as knowing how to spell. Instead of wasting these valuable summer hours, educators and others find eco-friendly ways to stay caught up on current tech trends and fight boredom all summer.

Why do Educators Need to Learn Technology?

Of course, IT personnel should be familiar with new gadgets and solutions to common tech problems, but instructors might balk at needing to understand more than basic word-processing. In the classroom today, students are familiar with advanced technology. Even preschoolers know their way around a computer. Educators must keep up with the times in order to remain relevant and to give their students the best possible education.

Summer provides a great time for teachers to catch up on the latest tech trends, apps and other tools for their classroom. They can take an online class for credits toward an advanced degree or for professional development. They can learn how to troubleshoot tech issues or operate the Smart board in the classroom. They can find new apps for their students or read educational blogs. They can record videos for classroom use or at-home instruction. As they learn to operate technology fluently and efficiently, they make a greater impact in the classroom and waste less time and energy searching for help during the school year.

What Other Eco-Friendly, Boredom Busters Are Available this Summer?

In between learning how to formulate a spreadsheet and recording calculus videos, educators and others can find ways to further their professional development and fight boredom in eco-friendly ways. Entertaining other teachers can provide valuable networking experiences. Using e-vites, hosts can build a guest list for a backyard barbecue featuring natural hardwood lump charcoal and discuss the latest innovations in education.

To keep tabs on popular culture that is influencing students, educators can read popular novels and young adult fiction and listen to popular music. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku or other brainteasers provide mental stimulation and training. Recycled paper makes these options more eco-friendly.

Cleaning house is another valuable way to beat boredom. Making time to toss unwanted clutter and deep clean the house provides educators with a fresh start in preparation for their busy school year. They can also save trees when they sign up for automatic bill pay and electronic bank statements. Additionally, sorting through filing cabinets limits clutter and provides piles of paper for the recycling bin or as scrap paper.

Summer provides an exceptional time to relax and unwind, but educators beat boredom by staying on top of technology. As they learn tools that enhance the classroom, they earn credibility and make a positive impact in a generation saturated with technology.

About the author: Lindsey Harper Mac is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.

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