When I think about using technology in my everyday life, I think that it is safe to say that most of us use technology everyday whether it is for personal use, work, family, etc. For myself I think in the past 6 years of being in university and now with my new job as an Student Support Teacher (SST) I spend lots of my time on technology for school and work reasons most of the time. Since I am on it so much during the day, when I get home I try not to be on it as much. 

The websites that I use most for work and school are definitely google chrome, Edsby, and Insite. Having all of these websites in one click makes my life a lot easier. Most of the time when I am using a website it is for educational purposes and most of the time when I am at home on my phone I go on apps like Instagram, snapchat, and Tik Tok the most, which take up too much of my time and wish I could delete them sometimes but I also find it a good way to unwind at the end of the day. 

I am still more of a paper girl when it comes to staying organized. I still like having an agenda or also a calendar that hangs on my fridge. I have started using the calendar that is on outlook that keeps all the staff updated with what everyone is doing, and I am starting to enjoy it more. I also use PlanBoard (https://app.chalk.com/auth/login) to plan out my lessons each day. I used it more when I was a grade 1-2 teacher last year, but not much anymore with my new position as an SST. I like this app to do day plans as it is easy to follow but it also has all of the Saskatchewan curriculum in the app so you can just click what outcomes and indicators you are working on for that lesson. I also find it helpful when substitute teachers come in because it is easy to follow because it is colour coded and has all the times and classes on the day plan as well. 

Like I said before, I find that social media can take up lots of my time and can become a distraction. Mostly Tik Tok or Instagram cause most of my distraction when watching a video and then continuing to watch videos that are pointless for over an hour. I found it really distracting when COVID hit and I was at home all the time. Rather than doing anything, I would sit on my phone scrolling videos all day. I noticed that my screen time was through the roof during this time and knew I needed to make a change. I had a goal for myself to only have 3-4 hours of screen time per day and I stuck with it and it made me realize how much time I was wasting on my phone before. In your phone, you can go to settings and check your screen time. I still have a goal for myself and seem to follow it still to this day. 

At the end of the work day, I try not to bring it home even though some days it can be hard. I tell myself that emails can wait and I can answer them when I get back to work in the morning. With taking university classes again, I am currently enrolled in 4 which is a lot of work at times. But, I make myself stay at school until around 5:00 each day to get work and school done and when I get home I normally relax and reset, which has worked well for me.

​Have a great week everyone!
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Hello everyone, my name is Caitlyn Hartman. I convocated from the University of Regina in spring of 2022 and started substitute teaching right after that! I got my first teaching contract in Prairie Valley School Division in fall 2023, and now have a permanent teaching job as an SST (student services teacher) in PVSD. I am now taking my inclusive education certificate, and I am hoping to be finished in the Spring of 2025. I am from a small town in Saskatchewan and grew up on a farm. In my family I have my mom, dad, and older sister. Growing up on a farm was the best thing as there is so much space and peace and quiet. I love going back home when I have time and being out there just clears my mind. I now live in Regina with my 2 cats and boyfriend. My favourite things to do are going camping and spending time with my friends and family. I also love to do crafting with my Cricut machine in my spare time!
I do not have much experience with educational technology, but I am excited to learn. I use technology in the school quite often and I think this will really help me with certain things on a daily basis. I am also excited for this course as I do like blogging to write down my thoughts. I did create a blog my first year of university in 2019 until my last year. I found it a great way to share my thoughts and to keep things organized as well. I am excited for this course to learn about everyone and to also learn a new skill! 
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