Day 10: Reflect and Set Goals with FutureMe – The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas 2024

Hello, educators!

Welcome to day ten of The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas from *Evolve EdTech! 🎄 We're thrilled you’re here as we continue to unwrap exciting edtech tips, tricks, and tools for your classroom. If you’ve missed any of the previous nine days, make sure you catch up on the Evolve EdTech YouTube channel or our social media pages. Don’t forget to like and subscribe while you’re there—your support helps us keep sharing the edtech magic!

Today, we’re exploring a truly special tool called FutureMe. This unique platform allows you and your students to write letters to your future selves—a wonderful way to set goals, reflect on aspirations, and encourage personal growth. Let’s dive in!

What is FutureMe?

FutureMe is a website that lets you write letters to yourself and schedule them to be delivered on a future date. You can choose to send your letter in six months, a year, three years, or even five or ten years down the track. Imagine the impact of receiving a letter from your past self, reminding you of your goals, dreams, and reflections!

This tool can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom, making it a fantastic addition to your edtech toolkit.

How Does FutureMe Work?

Step-by-Step Guide to Sending a Letter

1. Visit the Website
   Go to www.futureme.org.

2. Write Your Letter
   Type a letter to your future self. It can be about your goals, aspirations, feelings, or reflections. For example:

   Dear Future Me, you are awesome! Never forget that sharing your love of edtech with educators makes you happy.

3. Select a Delivery Date
   Choose when you’d like your letter to arrive:

   • 6 months

   • 1 year

   • 3 years

   • 5 years

   • 10 years

   • Or select a specific date.

4. Choose Privacy Settings

   • Private: Only you will receive the letter.

   • Public (Anonymous): Share your letter with the community if you’re writing something inspirational or reflective that others might enjoy reading.

5. Enter Your Email Address
   Provide an email address where you’ll receive your letter.

6. Send It to the Future
   Click the “Send to the Future” button, and voilà! Your letter is on its way to your future inbox.

Ideas for Using FutureMe in the Classroom

1. Goal Setting for the School Year

At the start of a new school year or term, have your students write letters outlining their goals and aspirations. They can set academic, personal, or extracurricular goals. Schedule the letters to arrive at the end of the term or year for a powerful reflection moment.

2. Graduation Reflections

Ask senior students to write letters to themselves about where they hope to be five years after graduation. These letters can capture their dreams, career goals, and personal ambitions. Receiving these letters later can be a touching and insightful experience.

3. Personal Growth and Resilience

Encourage students to write letters during challenging times, reminding their future selves of how they’ve overcome obstacles. This can help build resilience and offer perspective when they read the letters later.

4. Creative Writing Exercises

Incorporate FutureMe into your creative writing lessons. Students can write imaginative letters from different perspectives, such as:

• Historical figures writing to their future selves.

• Characters from novels reflecting on their journeys.

5. Reflecting on Learning Experiences

After completing a major project or unit, students can reflect on what they learned, how they felt, and what they’d do differently. These reflections can be sent to their future selves to see how they’ve grown.

Exploring the FutureMe Dashboard

When you sign up for a free FutureMe account, you can:

• Track your letters in the dashboard.

• Edit or delete letters before they’re sent.

• Write new letters easily.

The dashboard provides a clear view of all your scheduled letters, helping you manage your reflections and goals over time.

Free vs. Paid Options

Free Version

The basic version of FutureMe is free and allows you to send letters to your future self.

Paid Membership Options

• Community Membership: $6.50 AUD per year.

• Lifetime Membership: $129 AUD one-time fee.

Paid memberships offer additional features and help support the platform’s development.

Public Letters for Inspiration

FutureMe also features a collection of public letters written by people from around the world. These letters can be a source of inspiration, creativity, and reflection. To read public letters:

1. Go to the “Read Public Letters” section on the website.

2. Browse letters and see what others are reflecting on and dreaming about.

Why FutureMe is a Great EdTech Tool

• Promotes Reflection: Encourages students to think deeply about their goals, challenges, and growth.

• Supports Social-Emotional Learning: Helps students express feelings, build resilience, and track personal development.

• Simple and Engaging: Easy for students to use and a fun way to set goals.

• Versatile: Can be used in a variety of subjects and contexts.

Wrapping Up Day Ten

That’s a wrap for day ten of The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas! 🎉 FutureMe is a powerful tool for fostering reflection, goal setting, and personal growth in your classroom. I can’t wait to try this with my own students, and I encourage you to do the same.

Join us tomorrow for day eleven, where we’ll share another fantastic edtech tip to add to your toolkit. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please like this post, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on social media—your support means the world!

Thank you for being part of the Evolve EdTech community. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow! 🎄

To view Day 10 of The 12 Tech-Tips of Christmas click on the video below: