This course, English 652, has been one of the most unique educational experiences I’ve had since…well, perhaps ever.
All my life I have been motivated by grades. Ever since I was little I earned basically straight As. My high school cumulative GPA was 4.25 and I graduated 24 out of 860 students. In college, I graduated with a 3.8 from U of M Morris. I’m not writing this to show-off; quite the contrary. I say this only to make a point- I wouldn’t necessarily call myself smart- I just have always worked very hard to earn a good grade.
My graduate school experience was not much different. I ended up earning almost all As with the exception of one B while earning my MS in English. But again, I wonder what I learned.
What makes this course experience different, is that it is the first class I’ve taken in eight years. Therefore, it’s the first class I’ve taken as a mom with numerous other responsibilities. I took this course because it was an exact match for my school Q-Comp and PLC goals- utilizing more technology in my classroom. When Chris Gordon forwarded me the course description, it was like divine intervention hitting me in the face.
Taking this class has been very freeing. Every activity and assignment I spent time on making direct connections to applying it in my classroom. I wasn’t driven by getting a good grade. Don’t get me wrong- my work ethic is essentially intrinsic; it’s hard to not naturally want to be successful and get an A. However, ultimately I wanted to get something out of this class, and beyond a shadow of a doubt- that goal was met in more ways than one.
Do I want an A- sure. Do I feel that I totally earned it- not necessarily. I dropped the ball numerous times with deadlines. I have some remorse for that only because I feel that I had let my classmates down at times (not offering feedback to Websites, for example). But I have been admittedly busy. I’ve spent many, many hours away from home, away from my children. So there were a few times when my choice was to either spend a little time with my children (who hadn’t seen me for days, literally), or spend time in front of the computer Blogging- well, I chose my kids. For that I don’t feel the least bit bad- a person can only spread themselves so thin at times.
But this has been fantastic class. I’ve learned a great deal- I’ve completely gone outside of my comfort zone!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hosting MOO Discussion
I have to admit, I almost regretted requesting such a late date for hosting a MOO discussion. It had been so long since we’d had a MOO discussion instead of F2F, so I had almost forgotten how to MOO, much less be in charge!
I spent quite a bit of time preparing- it was a long article! I took many notes hoping that some comments would stand out to me as being discussable. Then when it was time to create the slides, I was nervous. I had to use the library PC’s, which was different because as far as this course is concerned, I’d only used the Macs. So the TK MOO-Light had a slightly new look so I got nervous right away.
But, I’m happy to report that despite how nervous I was preparing and psyching myself out about hosting the discussion, I feel it went rather smoothly. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
I spent quite a bit of time preparing- it was a long article! I took many notes hoping that some comments would stand out to me as being discussable. Then when it was time to create the slides, I was nervous. I had to use the library PC’s, which was different because as far as this course is concerned, I’d only used the Macs. So the TK MOO-Light had a slightly new look so I got nervous right away.
But, I’m happy to report that despite how nervous I was preparing and psyching myself out about hosting the discussion, I feel it went rather smoothly. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Dreamweaver Website
Probably the most intimidated I was by any assignment in English 652 was our Dreamweaver Website.
I was initially torn- because everything I’ve done in this class, I’ve had specific plans on how to implement it in my classroom. Everything has been very useful for which I’m very grateful. So my intention was to create a webpage that I could use for my classes in Annandale.
Our school district has required us teachers to have a website. I don’t even know what program our district spent money on for us to make webpages with, but I don’t have the slightest clue how to update my own page- therefore it’s completely out of date. Which is why I was excited for this assignment- I figured it was a way for me to create an updated, functional website.
But then when I discovered that our SCSU webspace is virtually wiped out about a year after this course completion, my enthusiasm began to wane. I didn’t feel a point in spending an overabundance of time just for an assignment if I couldn’t actually use it for my high school classes.
Well, since then I’ve heard that perhaps our computer technician can figure out how to convert this webpage to a different site. I may even ask for Dreamweaver to be put in my classroom computer so that I can regularly update my webpage.
I was initially torn- because everything I’ve done in this class, I’ve had specific plans on how to implement it in my classroom. Everything has been very useful for which I’m very grateful. So my intention was to create a webpage that I could use for my classes in Annandale.
Our school district has required us teachers to have a website. I don’t even know what program our district spent money on for us to make webpages with, but I don’t have the slightest clue how to update my own page- therefore it’s completely out of date. Which is why I was excited for this assignment- I figured it was a way for me to create an updated, functional website.
But then when I discovered that our SCSU webspace is virtually wiped out about a year after this course completion, my enthusiasm began to wane. I didn’t feel a point in spending an overabundance of time just for an assignment if I couldn’t actually use it for my high school classes.
Well, since then I’ve heard that perhaps our computer technician can figure out how to convert this webpage to a different site. I may even ask for Dreamweaver to be put in my classroom computer so that I can regularly update my webpage.
Texting While Driving
We had a very moving assembly at our high school last Friday in preparation for prom and graduation. Our Target group (essentially- students against drug and alcohol use) organized a mock drunk driving crash. It involved crashed cars, student actors, police, fire and EMT departments, local funeral directors and hearse, and even a Life Link helicopter.
I could go on and on about my thoughts on this event- particularly focusing on student responses and the fantastic “teachable moment” discussion I had in my classroom afterwards. However, since is the technology blog, I will stay focused on that connection.
Our police chief spent some time talking about different statistics, and one that came up was the problem with texting while driving. This has definitely increased car accidents in the past few years. Consequently there’s a law against texting while driving as we probably already know.
However, having heard that information following up an emotional experience like this mock crash, I can hope that it made an impact on some kids. I, myself, needed a lesson. I find myself texting while driving sometimes- with my two children in the car. It is so selfish and avoidable, but it’s so addicting! That’s why it can become a problem- by definition of an addiction, I’m not logically thinking of my safety nor that of others. So honestly, this weekend I made a conscious effort to not drive and text. Like most “changes” we humans attempt, it may not last long (like diet and exercise for me!!), but if the message is sent to enough people, change can happen.
I could go on and on about my thoughts on this event- particularly focusing on student responses and the fantastic “teachable moment” discussion I had in my classroom afterwards. However, since is the technology blog, I will stay focused on that connection.
Our police chief spent some time talking about different statistics, and one that came up was the problem with texting while driving. This has definitely increased car accidents in the past few years. Consequently there’s a law against texting while driving as we probably already know.
However, having heard that information following up an emotional experience like this mock crash, I can hope that it made an impact on some kids. I, myself, needed a lesson. I find myself texting while driving sometimes- with my two children in the car. It is so selfish and avoidable, but it’s so addicting! That’s why it can become a problem- by definition of an addiction, I’m not logically thinking of my safety nor that of others. So honestly, this weekend I made a conscious effort to not drive and text. Like most “changes” we humans attempt, it may not last long (like diet and exercise for me!!), but if the message is sent to enough people, change can happen.
My Parents Need a Cell Phone
There’s definitely a point in which certain forms of technology should almost be expected for people to possess. For example- cell phones.
Now my parents are pretty hip for being 60 and 61. My mom dresses is the most trendy (yet age appropriate- no thongs above the low rise jean line- thank heaven!!) clothes. My dad is super active in building his cabin and jet skiing. But it is increasingly frustrating that his stubborn ways keeps him digging his heels in and refusing to buy a cell phone.
My sister and I have tried appealing to his logical nature- “You have two ground lines- one at the town house and one at the cabin. You could save money by getting rid of both and just doing a cell phone.” Or, “at least get a cell for emergency purposes- you travel so much, it would give us peace of mind.”
But no- he still refuses. His biggest argument is that he’s noticed that when they go out with friends of the same age, these people’s kids call them frequently during the evening. My parents obviously find this rude. My counterargument is that, “I only talk to you about once a week now- why would you possibly think that just because you had a cell phone I would suddenly start calling you numerous times every evening?!”
Aargh! This was further frustrating during some of our family’s health-crises issues. A year ago my sister had a brain tumor removed. Instead of calling my parents to get updates, I had relatives calling my, who lives over an hour away, to get updates on Joelle because they couldn’t get ahold of my parents. This month my sister is giving birth to triplets. Again, relatives don’t feel comfortable bother her, and my parents are difficult to reach, so people are calling me again. I have no clue what’s going on, but I’ve been the “contact” person due to my availability.
Hmm, Mother’s Day is coming up… I do need a gift idea!!!
Now my parents are pretty hip for being 60 and 61. My mom dresses is the most trendy (yet age appropriate- no thongs above the low rise jean line- thank heaven!!) clothes. My dad is super active in building his cabin and jet skiing. But it is increasingly frustrating that his stubborn ways keeps him digging his heels in and refusing to buy a cell phone.
My sister and I have tried appealing to his logical nature- “You have two ground lines- one at the town house and one at the cabin. You could save money by getting rid of both and just doing a cell phone.” Or, “at least get a cell for emergency purposes- you travel so much, it would give us peace of mind.”
But no- he still refuses. His biggest argument is that he’s noticed that when they go out with friends of the same age, these people’s kids call them frequently during the evening. My parents obviously find this rude. My counterargument is that, “I only talk to you about once a week now- why would you possibly think that just because you had a cell phone I would suddenly start calling you numerous times every evening?!”
Aargh! This was further frustrating during some of our family’s health-crises issues. A year ago my sister had a brain tumor removed. Instead of calling my parents to get updates, I had relatives calling my, who lives over an hour away, to get updates on Joelle because they couldn’t get ahold of my parents. This month my sister is giving birth to triplets. Again, relatives don’t feel comfortable bother her, and my parents are difficult to reach, so people are calling me again. I have no clue what’s going on, but I’ve been the “contact” person due to my availability.
Hmm, Mother’s Day is coming up… I do need a gift idea!!!
Parent Reaction to Wiki
As I’ve said numerous times, my College Literature students have been working regularly with Wiki. One element that I haven’t looked into is parent feedback. In a real college setting this wouldn’t necessarily be a practical interest to the instructor. However, since I’m in the high school setting, I am rather interested in what parents make be thinking about this expectation of doing on-line classroom work.
After three plus weeks of using the Wiki for class discussion, I informally asked my class how many of them had mentioned to their parents that they had this requirement for my class. Only about three kids said that they had talked to their parents about it. Of those three, I asked what their parents thought- and none of those parents had anything to say.
Before the end of the semester I’d like to more formally get some parent feedback regarding this use of technology. I suppose I could look on-line for some possible questions, since I’m not really sure what I would even ask. I also plan to ask my students in an anonymous evaluation of their thoughts regarding the Wiki discussion.
After three plus weeks of using the Wiki for class discussion, I informally asked my class how many of them had mentioned to their parents that they had this requirement for my class. Only about three kids said that they had talked to their parents about it. Of those three, I asked what their parents thought- and none of those parents had anything to say.
Before the end of the semester I’d like to more formally get some parent feedback regarding this use of technology. I suppose I could look on-line for some possible questions, since I’m not really sure what I would even ask. I also plan to ask my students in an anonymous evaluation of their thoughts regarding the Wiki discussion.
MyFace.com
My College Literature class has been working on discussion on the Wiki. One of my students had a particularly funny story to share about his dad.
One evening this student was working on his Wiki postings. His dad, who apparently had been having a bad day, walked in and questioned what his son was doing. He thought he was just messing around on the computer instead of doing his homework. So the dad said to his son, “What, are you working on that My Face stuff?” Our class had a pretty good chuckle over that!
One evening this student was working on his Wiki postings. His dad, who apparently had been having a bad day, walked in and questioned what his son was doing. He thought he was just messing around on the computer instead of doing his homework. So the dad said to his son, “What, are you working on that My Face stuff?” Our class had a pretty good chuckle over that!
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