I feel like I’m going to sound like an old man by saying this (so not far off from how I feel). My go to online platforms are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I use these for both academic pursuits and for leisure/social interactions. I follow a few teacher groups, one of which is Teacher Triumphs: Overcoming Burnout. This Facebook group is awesome, it is teachers supporting teachers and learning how not burnout. I also went down multiple, MULTIPLE rabbit holes in the last year while using twitter. During the Teachers strike, I used twitter as one way to educate myself on the politics while also being aware the algorithms and bias that may be on my feed.
In the past 2 years I have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD. This seems to help me focus and pay attention better, however, organization is not one of my strong suits. I think in my 5 short years of teaching I have had at least 15 different calendars and agendas. For my organization at school “Planbook” has been a staple in my repertoire. I use it for making my daily plans, I’ve used it for evidence for summative assessments with admin, and also as a template for creating sub plans. For my overall organization my school uses the calendar on Outlook.
I feel there are always tech-related distractions that I encounter on a regular basis. When teaching Phys Ed, I often have my Spotify not load, I have used Kahoots that didn’t work properly, the worst has to be when the student iPads or chrome books wont connect to the internet. The school I am at has a chronic issues of Chromebooks not being plugged in properly and not having any battery.
If I’m going to be honest, I am not great with my balance between screentime for academic purposes and personal wellbeing. I am constantly falling down the rabbit hole getting caught in threads on twitter, videos on Facebook, or reels on Instagram. This is something that I know I need to improve on, so we will see how this goes in the future.
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for sharing, it was great to get to know more about you. My wife (a teacher of 10 years) is working through the realization that she has adult ADHD too. Just knowing she has this diagnosis has been beneficial for her in keeping on top of things by letting her check herself mentally from time to time about how she is spending her time and focus. We all find ways to cope, and I’m sure you will find some strategies too!
Hi Daniel, I can completely relate to this!! I often wonder if I have ADHD and should be assessed, my doctor has even mentioned this to me! I too find it way too easy to be distracted by technology especially when I get online. For staying organized, if I did not have the skills for writing notes and setting reminders on my phone, computer and even my partners phone so he can remind me, I don’t know how I would make it through the day lol. I find the app Cozi helps me stay organized and on top of what’s going on in my families lives. I haven’t finished my degree yet, but planning and organizing is something that is causing great distress to me.
Thanks for the honesty!
Robin Kinnee
Hey Daniel, thank you so much for sharing! It sounds like you’re navigating some significant challenges so it’s great that you’ve found tools like Planbook to help with planning and assessment! It shows you’re proactive in managing your ADHD, which is so important. Balancing screen time is tough for many, especially with the constant flow of distractions on social media. I have definitely found that setting specific limits or designated times for personal use helps me stay focused on my well-being while still enjoying downtime. Good luck on your journey to finding that balance!