Critical Thinking and Decision Making...still required skillsets

Regardless of your role in life, student, parent (first and lifelong teacher), educator, technology integrationist, or whatever your job title...you will be impacted by social media, technology, and sometimes you may find yourself in the crossroads when you reflect on your own critical thinking and decision making processes. You can reflect upon those decisions when you read the old standby of Dr. Suess's, Oh the Places You'll Go (1990).

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.
You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Our ability to make decisions and think critically are still core competencies that require us to learn and apply life lessons throughout our lives. Learning to adapt, implement, and overcome is just another aspect in our personal duties and responsibilities in our own lives.

Memorial Day

Don't forget to take a moment to remember those the U.S. men and women who died during military service by observing a minute of silence at 3:00 PM, local time. If you are driving, turn on your lights.

IdeaPaint finally makes a debut in the SW Augusta Lowe's

About 45 days ago I was at  my local Lowe's and inquired at the paint department and customer service about the location of IdeaPaint. I was shown chalkboard paint and said no, IdeaPaint it is like a whiteboard paint so I can write on the walls with dry erase markers. The paint department sent me across the aisle to customer service.  At customer service, she called the paint department and asked if she knew anything about the paint I was looking for, of course the same response. She asked where did I learn about this paint, and my response was through the net, particularly from my Twitter network. 

You can order IdeaPaint from the IdeaPaint website or from Lowe's. My preference was to purchase it at the store or special order it and pick it up at the store and receive the 10% military discount offered by Lowe's. 

Last weekend, as I walked in the front main aisle, I saw this display at the edge of the paint department. While I was happy Lowe's now carries IdeaPaint in the store, I thought how much cooler would it be if the area above this display had an operational piece with IdeaPaint so people could write on it with a dry erase marker and experience the product.

IdeaPaint display at SW Augusta Lowe's

I appreciate Lowe's bringing IdeaPaint to the physical storefront. If you do purchase the IdeaPaint, there is a list of items you want to purchase in addition to the IdeaPaint:  Glidden Gripper or Killz Primer, a separate roller for the primer, and typical paint prep accessories such as tape, 120 grit sand paper,  rags for clean up, and you need to let IdeaPaint cure for 7 days. Plan on vacating the room and set up for ventilation as the odor is quite different than standard paint.

Free Tech Sharing Certs for School Nurse, Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day

Thanks to 2500+ using the Tech Sharing Certs for Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation, School Nurse recognition and other days that can be associated with sharing techspertise.

With many people looking to give meaningful gifts on limited budgets here are a few free certificates that you can use or modify for your tech sharing event for upcoming School Nurse Appreciation Day, Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day. Many children want to give but may not know what to give...so the gift of your time can be memorable especially when sharing techspertise.

These are created in Google Docs and you can create a copy and print or tailor to your needs. Be creative and give the gift of your time and share techspertise amongst each other.

No tech in the classroom or at home? Meet at the local library, introduce people to members of your PLN, show someone how to make that digital clock to quit blinking, challenge others to explore menu bar options, share tips on recycling tech, enjoy a Google video chat or Skype conversation.....fill in the blank with your idea.  Tech skills are as diverse as the tools available...why not help someone learn something new...or be willing to let someone show you what they have learned.

School Nurse Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Teacher Appreciation Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Mother's Day Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Enjoy...and feel free to share how you used the certificates. Thanks to all of you (2500+) who have used these tech sharing certs with others.

Comments, recommendations, and/or checks in the Reaction boxes are welcome.