Day 3 Reflection

I learned a lot from Dr. Matilda N. Rivera as our professor. She is a "jack-of-all-trades", especially in the technology field. Her "tech-savviness" is very "smooth" as she teaches and we learn. I felt a bit overwhelmed because for me, I am a slow but eager learner. I'm very thankful for your patience, Dr. Rivera and for my group colleagues, Grace, Jane, and Emi!

I enjoyed all the presentations - learning about the other islands and countries, self-care, AI, and, of course, cultural dance. Just the topics themselves were interesting. Each group presentation was captivating. I appreciate all the information. I love how each group created the slides and then put them all together to show us their magnificent blog presentation.

Congratulations to all! I am very happy that we are all classmates, especially with Dr. Matilda N. Rivera as one of the best professors ever! I still have a lot to learn as I continue to navigate into technology through literary. Until next time when we meet again, take care, have a wonderful summer, and much love and blessings for all of us!

Best regards,

Mae M.C. Mendiola

Day 3 Blog

 

Today was an engaging and informative day as each group shared their final presentations. The first group presented about our island and the outer islands of Micronesia. Their presentation helped us gain a deeper understanding of the cultures, traditions, and educational systems of places such as Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan. It was interesting to learn about the similarities and differences among these islands and how geography, history, and culture shape the lives of the people who live there. The presenters were well-prepared and provided valuable information that broadened our perspectives.

Our group presented on Cultural Dances in the Classroom. We explored how traditional dances can be integrated into instruction to promote cultural awareness, student engagement, physical activity, and appreciation for diversity. We highlighted dances such as the Tinikling and Singkil and discussed how cultural performances can be connected to classroom learning and community celebrations. One of the most enjoyable parts of our presentation was the interactive activity at the end, where participants were invited to engage with the content and share their own experiences. The interaction created a positive learning environment and demonstrated how cultural activities can bring students together while making learning meaningful and memorable.

The third group presented on Wellness and Self-Care, an important topic for educators and students alike. They emphasized the importance of maintaining physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. Their presentation reminded us that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, especially in a profession that requires so much dedication and energy. They shared practical strategies for managing stress, maintaining balance, and creating healthy habits that support overall wellness.

The final group presented on a variety of educational technology tools and platforms, including artificial intelligence, IXL, and other digital resources that can support teaching and learning. Their presentation showcased how technology can enhance instruction, personalize learning experiences, and provide valuable data to inform teaching decisions. They also discussed the importance of using these tools responsibly and ethically. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for educators to stay informed and open to learning new ways to engage students and improve educational outcomes.

Overall, I learned a great deal from all of the presentations. Each group contributed unique ideas and perspectives that expanded my understanding of culture, wellness, and educational technology. The presentations demonstrated the creativity, collaboration, and dedication of all participants. I leave this experience with new knowledge, practical resources, and a renewed appreciation for lifelong learning and professional growth.

Quote:

"The most meaningful learning happens when we share our knowledge, honor our cultures, care for our well-being, and embrace innovation with purpose."

I am attaching a picture of my students using technology for the first time with Google Earth.

Reflection 3 Day

I want to express my gratitude for the learning experience regarding the integration of technology and literacy. Through these sessions, I have learned that educational technology is a vital tool that works in tandem with core subjects, providing a voice to students who may otherwise remain silent. I discovered that while building a blog requires significant organization—much like a PowerPoint or Canva project—it is a "doable" and sophisticated way to make learning more dynamic. Moving forward, I plan to implement a blog in my counseling program at Untalan Middle School to provide a safe, relevant space for students to express their "whole selves" and report issues. 

I specifically intend to have students involved in the discipline process use the blog to critically reflect on and update their progress regarding Office Discipline Referral (ODR) infractions. 

By sharing these blog-building skills with my colleagues and continuing to "update my own software" regarding AI and digital intelligence, I am committed to ensuring that technology is used meaningfully to help my students reach their full potential.

Farewell 👋🏽

It’s our last day! Thank you all for being such excellent classmates. I had taken a class with Dr. Rivera before on blogging, but this was a great refresher after so many years. It reminded me that I should start using blogging in my classroom, especially to help build a positive classroom culture.

I really enjoyed reading your blogs and watching your presentations. I gained new insights from your topics and learned a lot along the way. It was also interesting to see the diversity of cultures and
personalities in our sessions. We all approached our blogs in different ways, which kept things engaging.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer! Take time to recharge before the new school year, and maybe don’t take too many summer academy classes 😄

- Cheysser

Farewell Everyone!

I thoroughly enjoyed taking this training session on navigating educational technology. Although I’m fairly familiar with using technology in the classroom and I’m comfortable implementing its use in my instruction, this session provided me with another way to productively utilize this learning tool. 

It was also nice to see how every group created their blogs. It just showcased how versatile this type of educational technology can be and how it can give students the freedom to be as creative and innovative as they’d like to be. I also appreciated all the constructive criticism my team and I received on our blogs. Those comments truly helped me to reflect on what worked and what I could improve on as I continue to create future blog posts.

I’m looking forward to applying what I learned here to my classroom instruction as well as sharing my knowledge with my colleagues at my school. 

June 19, 2026 Day3: Farewell 

Yu’os Bendisi yan Gloria Ha’åni:  

Learning and navigating technology continues to be my greatest challenge. For three days, I’ve been surrounded by outstanding teachers. They continue to provide unlimited guidance and knowledge in technological support. For example, creating Blogs with visuals and resources. Today's group presentations showcase our Blogs. “Cultures in the GDOE Classroom” presentation took the class on a journey to our neighboring islands. Their data brought valuable information and awareness to use in my classroom. The next presenters focused on “Wellness & Self-Care Journey as Elementary Teachers”. Our Santa Barbara Catholic School Sisters of Mercy brought into light the importance of self-care and how they maintain balance in health as educators. 

Yu’os ma’ase Dr. Rivera for being patient and understanding as I’m basic in technology. 🙏🏼

Strangers intent to know

T'was days ago we met as strangers in a room

Take the days to learn those skills we need

Intent to know the tech we’ll use quite soon

 

Bond web to brain in June like bride to groom

Grow the words and sight from EdTech seed

T'was days ago we met as strangers in a room

 

In groups we spread the light to fight the gloom

Of August days that call upon our need

Intent to know the tech we’ll use quite soon

 

Public, private set to shoot the moon

Embrace the future ghost and then be freed

T'was days ago we met as strangers in a room

 

Teaching, counsel, owed to children soon

But also owed to us the chance, we flee

Intent to know the tech we’ll use quite soon

 

T'was joy to meet these peeps in midday June

Mercy Sisters, Untalan and elementary feed

T'was days ago we met as strangers in a room

Intent to know the tech we’ll use quite soon

- Joey, have a great summer everyone!

Final Reflection

Today, I had the chance to deepen my understanding of classroom blogging after exploring Blogger and learning from several inspiring teacher presentations. Listening to my colleagues share about their individual topics helped me see how powerful this tool can be in building written communication skills, which can also translate to presentation skills. I appreciated hearing different topics and the level of comfort that we have in this session. 

As I experimented with Blogger myself, I realized how well this platform still works and how easily I can integrate my own instruction. I'm excited to use blogs as a space where students can document their learning, respond to prompts, and engage with one another's ideas in a meaningful way. Moving forward, I want to incorporate more opportunities for students to personalize their posts and take ownership of their writing.  One day, I hope AI can also be embedded as a feature on Blogger. 

I hope everyone can get a restful summer before the chaos begins. 

Take care, everyone! I hope our paths will cross again in the future! 
Zaira 

Third and final day!

Hi everyone!

 Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for all the incredible inputs. The sharing during these sessions was fantastic, and I’ve learned so much from all of you. Looking forward for the last group to present. Good luck! Cheers to a great wrap-up!

Thanks for the food, next time will bring microwave..LoL 

Let's make sure we take some well-deserved time to rest and recharge.

Marife

AI Tools Discussion for Guam ESL Teaching Blog

 Click on the link to access our blog.  

https://aitoolsdiscussionforguameslteaching.blogspot.com/

DAY3 Reflection: T'was Fun While It Lasted

Having been my second time having this class, I feel a little bit more comfortable with creating a blog. I will be sharing our blogs with my colleagues and ESL students to show off how exciting my summer was. 

I really enjoyed viewing and listening to the presentations today. You all are a fun bunch! 😜  The blog about self-care reminded me as a teacher that we forget to take those little moments to breathe. I'll meet you guys at Ross later. 

Also, on behalf of my team, thanks for dancing with us. We'll see you on the dance floor doing the Batsu and Otso Otso. 

I've made some friends that I hope to run into in the future! Thanks for having me again and again and again, Dr. Rivera! You're the best. It was truly a pleasure to meet all of you and I hope you all have a great rest of your summer!!! 

-grace claros.

Visit Our Blog

 

https://wellness-selfcare.blogspot.com/

Let's Dance!

 

Come join in on the line dancing! Find our blog at 

Cultural Dance in the Classroom!

--Emiliana, Grace, Jane,  & Mae

Farewell

Thank you, Dr. Rivera, and my fellow educators for such a wonderful session together. I learned so much from all of you and truly felt welcomed and supported in this class. It was inspiring to see how deeply everyone cares for their students and how committed we all are to helping them succeed. One of my biggest takeaways from this session was the value of collaboration, both with colleagues and with students, as a way to create meaningful learning experiences. I also gained a better understanding of how educational technology, especially blogging, can be used as a tool to support literacy, engagement, and communication in the classroom. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to learn strategies that can help include and support our ESL students, while also preparing all learners for the future. This session reminded me that technology should enhance teaching and learning, and I am grateful for the ideas and encouragement I will take with me as I continue growing as an educator.

-Valerie Tanayan

Day 3: Adios to a refreshing PD

Thank you, Dr. Rivera, for an engaging professional development session. Your guidance on using educational technology, especially Class Blogs, was very valuable. I previously participated in class blog discussions during an online course, and they helped create a strong sense of community.

Class Blogs are particularly beneficial for English Language Learner (ELL) students because they provide a supportive space to share ideas, practice writing, and interact with peers. This helps build confidence, communication skills, and cultural understanding.

Academically, reading and responding to classmates’ posts strengthens both reading and writing skills while encouraging deeper engagement with course content. Overall, Class Blogs are an effective tool for supporting the academic and personal growth of ELL students.

Day 3: Bon Voyage

Hafa Adai Team! It has been a truly enriching experience spending time with all of you and forming new friendships. I greatly valued the opportunity to learn together about how to effectively incorporate class blogs into our classroom activities, enhancing student engagement and learning. Dr. Rivera, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your outstanding guidance. Your efforts in highlighting the significance of integrating technology into our teaching practices have profoundly impacted us, equipping us to better prepare our students for success in the 21st century.

Y-Day 3- Farewell Blog - Navigating Educational Technology

 Today was such a rainy day so we all hurried into the classroom early. I thought we would be the first ones there, but Dr. Rivera was already at her desk! She is definitely the earliest bird of all.

It was so exciting to see all my classmates again. Everyone was smiling and ready to go. We spent the morning working hard in our groups. We were very focused on our computers, but we still had some funny conversations that made us giggle while we worked.

This training has been a remarkable experience. I found kind and generous colleagues in this class. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Matilda N. Rivera, who is very smart. She tries to accommodate and assist us, "Sisters of Mercy" group. I will always remember it because I learned so many new things! I can't wait to use my new blog skills for my school projects and for my own fun writing at home. I

After all the hard work, we had a delicious potluck. It was the best rainy day ever!

Till my next blog. See you all...wherever...whenever!

Grace G. Yanger

Santa Barbara Catholic School

Cultures in the GDOE classroom

 https://culturesinthegdoeclassroom.blogspot.com/ 

Time to Say Goodbye!

 Thank you Dr. Rivera and colleagues for an enjoyable journey into the world of classroom blogs.  I especially appreciate having the time to get hands-on.   I know it sounds cliche, but "learning by doing" is extremely powerful.  We must not forget that students too will benefit in doing.  

Good Luck and bless you all.

John

P.S.

Adios Todos!

 Thank you Dr. Rivera & classmates,

This class has been such a great experience. I enjoyed every discussion, activity, and shared moment with all of you. I learned a lot about blogging. Thank you Dr. Rivera, for your guidance, and thank you classmates, for making this a meaningful journey,

Good luck to everyone moving forward, Have a wonderful and productive year!

Ann

Goodbye & Thank You 🤗🫰🏼

As this training ends, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside fellow educators from different schools. Hearing their stories and experiences was truly heartwarming and reminded me that we all share the same passion for making a difference in our students' lives. I leave this experience with new knowledge, meaningful connections, and a grateful heart.

💓,

-Mary Anne-

FAREWELL DR. RIVERA AND CLASSMATES

Post your final goodbye entry. It has been a pleasure having all of you as students. I will certainly miss all of you, but I am confident that you will use the educational technology skills/strategies that you've gained to continue to empower your students. Good luck! 

Best regards, 

Dr. Rivera

 Today I really had to buckle down and digest these two activities of doing a "Brainstorm" and a "Flow Chart. I had seen a Flow Chart before, but I never really had to use one. Now I know that it really helps me to, for example, create a blog. I am thankful for my group classmates, even more thankful, for Dr. Matilda N. Rivera. She is very patient and gives me the courage to try my best, especially when I feel anxiety to "new technology" that I should embrace in order to better implement my lessons.  I thank her also that we use today to work on our assignments here so that we're all together to assist each other... or, should I say, I'm right here next to my teacher! LOL

Thank you!

Mae M.C. Mendiola

Reflecting 2 Day

 I am more blog-able than yesterday. I was the Admin of my team blog but then I ended up make all the members Admin bloggers too; there is no use being a great blogger if you are not willing to transfer the greatness to those around.💪  

I feel that this technological tool is simply another way to organize and disseminate information. I have heard and read blogs but now I can blog. I can brainstorm, flow chart an idea into a blog. The idea content of the blog is just as important as the ability to blog; the information presented needs to he receivable with the students. The blog is the tool and I am the certified professional charged with producing educated bloggers who can apply their own blogging skill to be respectful, responsible, and ready for life. 

I am here because the world is changing, alike to the ever-changing technological advancements, updating itself to match the changing times. I am here to ensure that similar to the technological updates, I update my own software. I have to learn how AI has changed and is changing the world. I will update my knowledge to include the use of technology as well as the ability to teach the use of technology. AI is taking over many functions of the developed world but it is still a tool that needs some human interactions/interventions.

 Day 2 Reflection!

Today, we worked on designing our AI Class Blog. The Brainstorm and Flow Chart activity really helped streamline my thoughts into paper and complete this AI Class Blog. Our team collaborated to discuss the types of AI tools we should use for our class blogs.  Working on AI is an interesting topic because there are so many types to use, especially for students.  This is also aligned with this PD—Navigating Educational Technology. But as educators, we just need to ensure our students use AI properly and correctly, and not to rely too much on it. One of the cons to using AI is the risk of overreliance. That's not good for our students and us.

Let's play two!

Second day. Tougher than the first. I acknowledge how little I use blogging in my lessons. Okay, fine. I never used it. However, I am definitely getting used to posting and creating. The blog that my group is creating is fascinating. AI saturates our daily lives. Best to get to know its benefits...and its flaws.

Day 2 Reflection

 

On Day 2 of our blog project, we continued developing our final group output, which is our blog on “Traditional Dances in the Classroom.” Each of us worked on our individual sections and contributed through Google Docs before sharing our work with our group leader for organization and final compilation.

For my part, I focused on cultural dances from the Philippines, also known as folk dances. I highlighted two well-known dances: Tinikling and Singkil. Tinikling is a traditional dance that involves dancers skillfully stepping between moving bamboo poles, which requires coordination, timing, and teamwork. Singkil, on the other hand, is a royal dance inspired by a Maranao epic, where the dancer gracefully moves in and out of crisscrossed bamboo poles while using fans or an umbrella, symbolizing elegance and strength.

We also continued working on our flow chart and explored various educational websites shared by Dr. Rivera, such as the International Literacy Association (ILA), Wikis, Guam-based educational sites, TeachThought, We Are Teachers, Teacher Network Blog, and The Edublogger. I really appreciate these resources because they provide meaningful ideas and strategies that I can apply in my teaching practice. I plan to continue exploring and using these websites throughout the school year and even over the summer to support my professional growth and enhance my classroom instruction.

I am also posting the Minottonka Public Schools picture from our  class under Dr. Rivera. I had the opportunity to revisit and reflect on this experience.

Day #2

After brainstorming for our blog, we finished our flow-chat for our topic "Cultures in the GDOE Classroom". We worked on a collaborative blog that focuses on the different cultures represented in GDOE classrooms. Through this project, I learned how teachers can come together to create a shared space that highlights the diverse cultural backgrounds students bring into the learning environment. The purpose of the blog is to showcase this diversity by sharing aspects such as language, traditions, and food to help build a stronger understanding of the students and communities we serve. 

Learning how to use a blog also served as a simple and helpful refresher, especially for students who are still developing their digital skills. It reminded me the days of Xanga and Tumblr! It is an accessible tool that helps learners practice organizing and presenting information in a clear and structured way without being overwhelming. 

Day 2 Reflection

Unfortunately, the second day of the workshop is my first day of class. I was doing my civic duty and have reflected well on continuing to follow our government's rules and regulations. 

For today's class, I reflected well on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Using brainstorming and flowchart tools helps create a roadmap to thoughts that are to be established through writing. With the current trends of artificial intelligence, we need to learn to navigate it in the classroom. We can use various tools that are using for different things. I have met really great classmates who have treated me with kindness and humor. I have also met Dr. Rivera, who has welcomed me warmly and explained the class requirements well. 

In today's class, I wrote about Microsoft's AI, Copilot. You may find the link here. Copilot is a very useful AI tool that enables me to help sort out my thoughts and help gain some insight into new ideas. Whenever I find myself stuck, Copilot has steered me in the right direction. 

I enjoyed the collaborative nature of the blog and will be using this in the future with my students. 

Day 2 Reflection: Navigating Educational Technology

Today, we completed our brainstorming and flowchart activities, which helped us plan and outline the next steps for creating our blog. In our group, we identified various AI applications and programs to share, along with their advantages and disadvantages, particularly regarding their use with all students in the classroom. Using artificial intelligence in our lessons can offer students enrichment and supplementary support, enabling a more detailed and personalized learning experience. It also introduces diverse approaches to education and helps prepare students with practical skills they can apply in future scenarios. I am eager to see other groups’ blogs to gain more detailed insights into how they can use class blogs for teaching and learning.

Day 2 Reflection

 Our group’s blog focuses on the different cultures represented in the GDOE classroom. I learned how teachers can collaboratively create a blog that showcases the diverse cultures our students bring to class. We each researched our own ethnic backgrounds as well as another country whose culture we might encounter among our students.

The purpose of our blog was to highlight the variety of backgrounds we see in the GDOE classroom. By introducing each culture through its language, practices, and food, we can better understand the makeup of our class.

I would like to learn more about using different types of media on the blog. If I were more familiar with the various tools for embedding media, it would benefit the blog’s viewers. This could help them more easily grasp and better understand the content of the blog.

-Valerie Tanayan

 Day 2 Reflection

Day 2 of this session felt very productive. It was all about creating and designing our blog with our respective groups. It was a great way for us to apply what we learned as well as collaborate as a team. I'm glad that we are creating our own blogs so that it gives us a chance at familiarizing ourselves with what we will expect our students to complete. It also gives us the opportunity to troubleshoot with our team on any problems we come across. 

It is nice to see how everything is coming together, how each group member's hard work contributes to the greater whole that is our blog. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's final product and seeing how they executed their very own blog assignments. 

Yahoo It's Day 2!

 

Today my group welcome’s a new member – Mrs. Zaira Araos-Pangelinan to our group. 

We spent some time getting her up to speed and then it was off to the blog design races

for us.  A couple of things that were very useful for us in the designing of our blog were

the brainstorming and flow chart activities we had done yesterday. It made sure that wewere creating with intention and ensured that our collaborative process had a guide.  

Our blog is entitled “AI Tools Discussion for Guam ESL Teaching”.  We spent time

selecting topics for us to design posts around, but first decided we should each start

with a post introducing ourselves to the blog audience.  From there we decided on

selecting tools that would be featured in our posts and agreed to interact with the posts

in the comments.  

One of the things that I enjoyed seeing in the preliminary posts is the customization that

my colleagues put into their posts.  Not only did they share their content, but in the process

they shared of themselves.  In a time of AI inundation, it is nice to see the humanity of

authentic blog posts.

DAY 2: Reflection

 My takeaways from today's session was collaborating with colleagues was meaningful, learning how each person works and how they contribute to the project, and that graduate credits are very expensive now. Although we treated it as as individual work sessions, we worked pretty diligently in trying to finish our blog. I learned more about our topic and it's fun doing research on things that interest me.

The one thing that made me sad was that the price of graduate credits shot up from twenty dollars to a whopping one hundred thirty five dollars! I feel like it deters students from wanting to get credits to reclassify. Inflation is never a good thing. 

 Day 2 reflection

Hafa Adai,

It was time to put our skills to the test, to create our blog.

It was fun and interesting to collaborate with fellow classmates to put our blog together. Each member shared information and pictures to use in our blog.  

Creating a blog was a fun and useful experience. I learned how to research information, organize my ideas, and write for an audience. Working on the blog helped me improve my writing and creativity. It also taught me teamwork and communication. I learned a lot from one another. Overall, creating a blog was a good way to share ideas and learn new skills.

Y - Day 2 - Review Continued and Blog Designing

             Who knew that finishing all my assigned tasks could feel this good—I guess all those last-minute bursts of energy finally paid off!.  Hurray!!!😃

            Second day of training lengthen  my experience in exploring about the blogs of my colleagues. It's nice to know the perspective of each one. Today is more of personal space. Working at my own pace also helps me understand the task better and gives me the confidence to express my ideas creatively.

            Today, we also designed or group blogs. It is fun discussing and sharing our thoughts. Each member contributed different ideas and skills, which helped make the blog more creative and informative. Through collaboration, we learned how to share responsibilities, respect one another's opinions, and work together toward a common goal. Overall, the activity helped me develop both my technical skills and my ability to work effectively with others.

            Thanks to Dr. Matilda N. Rivera who is very much accommodating and understanding. 

Kudos to you Ma'am🙋

Day 2 Reflection

Magandang Umaga!

On the second day of training, we focused more on team brainstorming within our groups. We were able to express our interests, share the things we enjoy doing, and collaborate what helps us maintain our mental health. We are also finalizing our blog and sending photos to our group chat, checking previews. Although we don't have access to Schoology yet, our facilitator, Dr. Matilda Rivera, has been incredibly helpful and provided us with everything we need.

This experience reminded me of our Google Classroom training during the pandemic. Just like then, this training involves actual, highly engaging work where we get to feel like students. Back then, we also had a week of preparation before starting our online classes.

A blog can be incredibly helpful for classroom preparation because it gives students a clear overview of the material. However, I think it works best when paired with videos, which is especially useful for elementary teachers. For me, the most efficient part of using a blog is the accessibility of the content we create. I can simply archive our work and pull it out whenever I need a presentation. This is highly beneficial for daily lesson planning, especially since our school moves at a rigorous pace and administration checks our plans weekly.

Additionally, if I ever need to travel or am out of the building, I can easily prepare these resources in advance and share them with my substitute teacher.

We came prepared today, we have plenty of snacks to share (‘;”)

Indeed, a remarkable day.

Maraming Salamat!😀

 

DAY 2 Reflection

Day 2 was both productive and enjoyable because I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with my groupmates. Working together on our group blog allowed us to exchange ideas, discuss different approaches, and figure out how we wanted to organize and present our content. While there were moments when we needed to clarify tasks and make decisions as a team, the process became much smoother because everyone was willing to contribute and listen to one another's suggestions.

What made the experience even more meaningful was that our conversations went beyond simply completing the assignment. As we worked on our pictures and reflection entries, we naturally began sharing the stories and experiences behind them. Listening to my groupmates' perspectives gave me a deeper appreciation of their journeys as educators and learners. It was interesting to see how each person interpreted the activities differently, yet we were all able to connect through our shared experiences.

This collaboration reminded me that learning is not just about accomplishing a task but also about building relationships and learning from others. Through our discussions, I gained new insights, reflected more deeply on my own experiences, and felt encouraged by the supportive environment within our group. Overall, Day 2 reinforced the value of teamwork, communication, and meaningful collaboration in the learning process.

 June 16, 2026: Day 2

Yu’os Bendisi yan Pås Ha’åni Bloggers:

Dr. Rivera and Grace, our group leader, are exceptional BLOGGERS. Our lady Bloggers assisted a 65 years old woman navigate the required assignments. It’s evident that I’m still below basic in technology. Their technological knowledge surpasses Microsoft, Apple, and Google employees.

Summer Teacher Academy Class Photo - Take 2!

 

 Day 1 - June 15 - Introduction, Pre-Assessment, Activities, Resources

Dr. Rivera,

I want to thank you for offering this class, and I am very happy to learn from one of the very best teachers! I am not tech savvy at all, but I realize that it's a must that I have the knowledge and tools to be able to teach the students of our modern world of evolving technology.

I've always read Dr. Rivera's blogs from our different associations and organizations, such as International Literacy Association (ILA), Guahan Isan Famagu'on Lions Club (GIFLC), Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA), and USCG Auxiliary. Every article, every piece of information provide interesting and vital material. The best thing that I like about the blogs is that they are archived.

What I learned the most is that there is a whole world of resources that I can pick and choose from, especially how I can incorporate so many things using technology. There are so many topics and issues that can help me to broaden my students' learning, such as using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blogging. I enjoyed collaborating with my classmates, and I especially admire how Dr. Rivera ensures that her students are learning with ease and understanding.

I am embracing this lesson of learning to be able to navigate educational technology through literacy. I want all my students to be able to excel as they read with comprehension. 

I am enjoying this class!

 

Today’s session on Educational Technology reminded me that technology is much more than devices and apps—it is a tool that emerges from different disciplines such as communication, education, and psychology to support teaching and learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ggbt5I3bA Ed Panama.  We discussed both the positive and negative effects of technology, including the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically. Our group shared concerns about the misuse of AI and agreed that both teachers and students must be responsible digital citizens. One interesting point raised was that many students are masters of using their cell phones, yet they often struggle with basic laptop skills, which highlights the need to continue building digital literacy in our classrooms.

I reflected on how technology has transformed education in recent years. Our school uses laptops, and some teachers are fortunate to have Promethean Boards and Smart TVs. I personally use a Smart TV in my classroom, which has become a valuable teaching tool. I also appreciated the resources shared by our presenter, including The Busy Teacher, Educators Technology, and ILA, a resource I am already familiar with and often use for literacy support.

One of my biggest takeaways was reflecting on my own growth with technology. During the pandemic, many educators had to quickly learn how to use platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom for teaching and meetings. Although the transition was challenging, it became an opportunity for professional growth and collaboration. Looking back, it was truly a blessing in disguise that helped many of us develop skills we continue to use today. As I reflected on my journey, one thought stayed with me: “Although I started as a technology novice, the pandemic helped me become a more confident and capable digital educator.”

Jane P.

5^th Grade Teacher

Reflecting 1 Day

 

Just for fun! 

Technology is hardware and software. Are students not also hardware and software? The students (device) hardware consists of parent/guardian, home, neighborhood, ethnicity, culture (practice), clothing, uniform, hygiene, gender, height, backpack, car-rider, bus-rider, walker, etc. The Software is the critical thinking, attention to details, attitude, empathy, culture (values and belief), loyalty, positivity, organization, punctual, readiness, good choices, perseverance, etc. 

The hardware is assembled off-site and shipped to the respective Information Technology (IT) Software Companies (the schools). The default setting should have been uploaded before sending the hardware to the IT (GDOE) to add and/or update the software. Each device is required to be shipped to the IT according to the scheduled Software updates. Each device has a default user manual similarly to each IT having a research based design for updating and uploading the software at the appropriate level. If the device is shipped late, the updates have to be initiated according to the level of the device when it was received.

Today’s session brought into light the importance of technology. As a CHamoru high school teacher, students have limited technological skills when using laptops.  Learners are extremely efficient using their phones for classwork, yet struggle in navigating the laptop. For years, to prevent paper and ink waste, all assignments have been posted in Google Classroom. They are required to access Google Classroom for assignments and videos. All grade levels, students have difficulties following writing grammar rules. When completing CHamoru and English written Google Forms Formative and Summative Assessments, which Google Forms immediately automatically grades their submitted assignments, majority of students are below standard. 

To effectively improve my skills as a navigator in educational technology through literacy, my emphasis is on Chamorro and English grammar writing and reading skills. To teach across the curriculum, my teacher-made resources focus on the Chamorro and English parts of speech. Students are empowered to evaluate sources and engage critically with technology. Learners use technology to analyze sentence mechanics and structures when creating their written Language 2, the learned Chamorro language,  and Language 1, the proficient language in school, English.

Day 1 Reflection: Navigating Educational Technology Through Literacy: Creating Meaningful ESL Anthologies With Class Blogs

Educational technology offers a powerful means to improve teaching and learning experiences for both educators and students. As educators, it is essential that we equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in the future. Preparing students to be technologically literate is crucial, as it enables them to effectively navigate and contribute to a modern, digitally-driven world. When students acquire additional skills through the use of technology, it can significantly enhance their prospects of securing a successful career.

In order for this to take place, educators need support from the district to obtain the tools and skills to have and use the latest technology available. Districts need to properly plan the rollout of new devices and equipment so that teachers can use them to the highest capability. Districts also need to provide training and all the materials needed to use new technology effectively in their classes. It is essential for everyone to collaborate in delivering the highest quality education possible for the benefit of their community and future.

DAY 1: Reflection

 Although I have already made a blog in a similar course, it's always nice to meet a new group of people and come up with a new topic and a new blog. The new topic my group came up with is a nice one that I can't wait to share once it's complete. Dr. Rivera really enjoys making these blogs and I find that they're useful in archiving thoughts and pictures, especially the class photos! One day I decided to "Google" my maiden name and an old blog of a UOG class I took with her popped up from more than 15 years ago. Wow!

Also, in reflecting about technology in the classroom with my students, I find that my school in particular really utilizes and integrates technology in each of their classes. I use it to present my lessons as well as have my students read books within their lexile levels on the website, EPIC Books. I try my best to make it accessible to my students. Also, AI! I never thought of using it to help me in my classroom but it does make things easier when I remember to use it to create tests and quizzes.

To conclude my thoughts, I can't imagine a class where technology isn't present. I feel like this is the direction where our learning is heading, but we need to teach it's value and importance in the classroom as a tool, not just something to play games and watch youtube videos on.

Thoughts on my first day of class!

I enjoyed listening to my colleagues discussions on EdTech. I felt buoyed by the fact that I wasn't alone in my frustrations with procuring, implementing and maintaining tech in my classroom. I understood their thoughts about the lack of training, the lack of accountability, the lengthy procurement methods and the realization that any new hardware that I receive, may be outdated at that point.

On the flipside, I am encouraged that my class colleagues are making the most of the resources available to them. I liked that whether they are private or public school teachers, they try to provide avenues for their students to both learn and enrich their previous knowledge of technology. I am also enjoying having different voices in this session. I look forward to viewing their blogs for this class.

My most important takeaway is that I feel the counselors at Academy of our Lady of Guam, like Ms. Tesoro, are amazing, deserve a raise and that my daughter Charlotte is starting in August! 

This is in no way me trying to score points with the counselor!

😁

Day 1 Reflection: Navigating Educational Technology Through Literacy

The first day of this session opened my eyes to the various ways that educational technology can be used in the classroom, especially through the use of blogs. Learning all about the fellow educators also in this session showed that we all come from different backgrounds and teach different grades and subject areas. The fact that we all are eager to learn about educational technology and implement what we takeaway from this session shows just how versatile using blogs as a learning tool in the classroom can be.

It was stressed in one of the videos on educational technology that we reviewed in this session the importance of not only the use of technology in the classroom but also how important it is to ensure that collaboration takes place as well. I appreciate that we have the opportunity to collaborate with each other on creating a group blog. By doing so, we will get to practice what we learn and experience what our students will encounter when we do decide to incorporate this learning tool in our classrooms. With that being said, I’m truly looking forward to what’s to come in the next two days of this session.  

Day 1 Reflection

Today’s training started with us going over the goals and objectives for the session so we had a clear direction for the day. We explored different blogs and looked at their features on both a local and national level. I honestly didn’t realize there were so many local educational blogs out there, and it was interesting to see how varied they are. I especially liked the flashcards in different languages as it made the content feel more accessible and interactive.

We also worked in groups and had discussions about the changing role of technology in education and how we can realistically incorporate it into the classroom. One key point that stood out to me was the advantage of using technology as a supplement, especially when dealing with content that doesn’t always have updated textbooks available.

We also talked about the importance of using technology effectively and intentionally, not just as entertainment. It’s not enough for laptops to be used for games or for Promethean boards to just become “fancy movie screens.” There needs to be purposeful integration that actually supports learning outcomes. Along with that, we highlighted that while teacher training is important, students also need structured time and guidance to learn how to use these tools properly.

Overall, I’m excited for the next couple of days and to continue learning new strategies that I can bring into the classroom.

Navigating Educational Technology Through Literacy Creating Meaningful ESL Anthologies

Day 1 reflection

Hafa Adai,

Integrating educational technology through literacy has shown me how powerful it can be when used with purpose and balance. I see that technology opens doors for them to read, write, and express their ideas in ways that feel meaningful and personal. Yet the heart of the work still comes from the teacher-guiding, modeling, encouraging, and helping students.

Technology becomes most effective when it is incorporated into the lesson, not added as something extra. It supports students with their work. The use of technology should enhance literacy, not replace the relationships and instructional materials that shape student learning.

Teacher guidance and technology should work together to support student education and growth.

Day 1 Reflection

 

Hafa Adai!

The first day of training provided an excellent introduction, offering a clear preview of the upcoming coverage and a welcome opportunity to network with individuals from GDOE. My initial impression of the facilitator is highly positive; they were incredibly accommodating and thoroughly explained the Quick Visual Guide. Although the upcoming workload initially looked overwhelming but familiar, the helpful and supportive attitude of everyone involved made me feel entirely comfortable with our tasks. Having 3 of my friends attending alongside me has also provided a great support system. Overall, I view this training as a wonderful opportunity to acquire new skills, and I am very glad I signed up.

I enjoyed the multicultural education part of our session because it exposed us to diverse perspectives and classroom/personal experiences. It helped me better understand and appreciate different cultures and backgrounds. As an educator, this reminds me of the importance of creating an inclusive learning environment. 

I am looking forward to our second day session.

Si Yu’us ma’åse and God bless!

~M.E

Y - Day 1 - Reflection on Navigating Educational Technology Through Literacy: Creating Meaning ESL Anthologies with Class Blogs - June 15, 2026

          One of the key takeaways was how class blogs can serve as a meaningful platform for ESL students to publish their writing, collaborate with peers, and build confidence as communicators. Creating digital anthologies allows students to see their work as valuable and worthy of a wider audience, which increases motivation and ownership of their learning. I also learned how technology can support differentiated instruction by allowing students to express themselves through text, images, audio, and other multimedia formats. 

          Moving forward, I plan to incorporate blogging activities and digital publishing opportunities into my instruction to strengthen students’ literacy skills and promote authentic learning experiences. This training has inspired me to explore innovative ways to combine technology and literacy to support the diverse needs of my learners and help them become confident, capable communicators.🙋

Day 1 Reflection

 Technology is just a tool.

Many seasoned educators have moved away from incorporating technology in their classrooms. Technology is not to replace teaching but to be used as an aid in our teaching. A takeaway from today’s session was the use of blogs as an educational technology tool. I would use it to archive my classroom's lessons and materials for students to access, since it's dated. This could also be used by students when writing their assignments.

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Another takeaway from this was that the use of educational technology can help students develop their collaboration skills. The video mentioned that we can teach our students to collaborate and give and receive feedback/criticism respectfully. Sometimes, students are not aware of online etiquette, especially when present online through their social media apps. 

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Challenges we face in schools when incorporating educational technology include misuse of funds and technology devices. Many schools have received new technology devices, but no training or software has been provided. So teachers have to be resourceful and creative, and may sometimes spend their own money to fully utilize the new device.

-Valerie Tanayan

Day 1: EdTech Reflection

 

I am so happy that I registered for this class because I am learning how to create class blogs which I have never done before. I have only learned how to create websites using the google classroom. Now that I’m learning how to create blogs; I will definitely use this as a new teaching tool and resource.

Thank you Dr. Rivera for having this class and making my summer this year worthwhile! My summer is usually spent on dog sitting, house cleaning, and/or K-dramas and now C-dramas!

I strongly believe that navigating educational technology in the classroom must be meaningful in order to engage student learning. It has to be fun as well for both students and teachers. Teaching technology especially with ELL students helps them to think critically, communicate better, and broaden their minds and there are so many advantages in promoting independent learning! 

DAY 1 REFLECTION

 DAY 1 REFLECTION

The first day of training began with self-introductions and an overview of what we can expect in the next three days. It was a good opportunity to meet fellow educators and learn about the different backgrounds and experiences that each participant brings. Knowing the objectives and activities planned for the training also helped me feel excited and prepared for the learning & journey ahead.

One of the concepts that stood out to me was the definition of educational technology (EdTech). Before this session, I often associated EdTech primarily with digital tools and devices used in the classroom. However, I learned that EdTech goes far beyond the conventional process of teaching and learning. I also learned that EdTech is interdisciplinary (communication, psychology, sociology, etc) to improve the overall learning process.

During our group discussions, we shared our personal experiences as educators and reflected on the importance of remaining open to new ideas and approaches. As teachers, it can be easy to rely on familiar methods, but this session reminded me that continuous learning is necessary to meet the changing needs of the students.

For our group activity, I was fortunate to work with fellow educators from Santa Barbara Catholic School. Together, we decided to create a wellness and self-care journey blog for educators. I am particularly looking forward to this project because it encourages us to reflect on our own well-being and the strategies we use to manage stress. I am excited to collaborate with my group and learn from their experiences.

Overall, the day’s activity deepened my understanding of educational technology and reinforced the importance of lifelong learning in the teaching profession. I look forward to the next few days and the valuable insights I will gain from this training.

 From the perspective of a teacher who is moving from one school to another, I am very happy to be in this class.  My success at my new teaching assignment will depend heavily on my ability to empower myself to learn new things and explore new tools.  This in turn will allow me to empower my students to develop the skills that will lead to success in school and in the workforce.

The Blogger tool is simple to use, free, and accessible to teachers and students.  The Review of Resourceful Educational Blogs was a great jump off point for us to create our group blog.  In particular educatorstechnology.com had a wealth of information related to our vision for the blog.  

I’m excited to work on the activities in the course and  designing the class blog.