- What did you learn? Well, first of all, I found how slow I still can be at finding things like how to make a new post when on my blog site, giving me the opinion that sometimes I am as dumb as I look! Beyond that, I have enjoyed seeing how other educators are using their blogs and know that, unless I try, this thought too will die. Attaching different pieces to the blog or including search feeds will be very helpful I think.
- How will you use what you have learned? Okay, I am thinking that I want to use my newly learned expertise...hmmm, er, um...beginnings, to TRY a blog where parents will get information. I am thinking I MIGHT use this for students to give me reading summaries as well, so they can "publish" their thoughts for all to see. I think I will be able to integrate our school site onto my blog so they only need to look one place.
- How did you feel about this tool? I am not comfortable yet but see that I get caught up in rabbit trails, somewhat like my postings! I need to practice, and mess up, and finally get it to where I don't struggle each time I try.
- What do you not want to forget about this tool? Simply how to use it, when to use it!
- How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role? It is such a simple way to attach all the important pieces for all to see. It should help my parents to stay connected in a personal but also helpful way. I also think my students will be able to show their parents a thing or twelve!
- Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role? YES! I know that, as a parent, the easier a teacher makes it for me to stay connected, the more comfortable I will feel to BE connected!
- What questions do you still have about this tool? What tool? How do I do it again? HA! As I figure out just how I am going to proceed, I will need to ask questions, but I am a "do it" kinda gal and ask as I go.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Week 3 RSS Reflections
Thursday, July 2, 2009
RSS Choices
a. What RSS reader did you chose and why? Because the Google site had started without me, I decided to "date" him. I went on a short date with the flaky one, and set up an account as well as a page, but am not sure where it will go. As long as we don't have a committed relationship and as long as they know we agree to date others, I can continue with a clear conscience.
b. What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to? and c. What made you chose those blogs? This was fun! I chose http://technorati.com/blogs/www.boingboing.net mostly because it was fun to look at and had things I want to go back to when I feel more confident in blinging up (or boing-ing up) my own blog. It is a bit overwhelming but I am intrigued. What can I say? As I connect to these big guy blogs, I do wonder if they have trackers imbedded in their site that now links them to me.
My second choice was http://edtechpower.blogspot.com/ mostly because she is linked to so many other blog sites, and I thought that would be a great way for me to focus rather than wander. The link she had to Cool Cat Teacher actually lead me to my final choice....
http://edublogawards.com/2007/best-teacher-blog-2007/ where the blog awards abound. If you look to the left, you will see a list of blogs to vote on. Below that is a link list where you can actually look at the sites that are currently being voted for. I especially got a kick out of a first grade class blog, Mrs. Cassidy's. On hers, she has a yack pack where it sounds like a person can contact the class by talking to them. Crazy! This best teacher site was fun to search around! That doesn't mean I have a clue about how to do what they do, but I certainly can see the possiblities! That's half the fun!
b. What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to? and c. What made you chose those blogs? This was fun! I chose http://technorati.com/blogs/www.boingboing.net mostly because it was fun to look at and had things I want to go back to when I feel more confident in blinging up (or boing-ing up) my own blog. It is a bit overwhelming but I am intrigued. What can I say? As I connect to these big guy blogs, I do wonder if they have trackers imbedded in their site that now links them to me.
My second choice was http://edtechpower.blogspot.com/ mostly because she is linked to so many other blog sites, and I thought that would be a great way for me to focus rather than wander. The link she had to Cool Cat Teacher actually lead me to my final choice....
http://edublogawards.com/2007/best-teacher-blog-2007/ where the blog awards abound. If you look to the left, you will see a list of blogs to vote on. Below that is a link list where you can actually look at the sites that are currently being voted for. I especially got a kick out of a first grade class blog, Mrs. Cassidy's. On hers, she has a yack pack where it sounds like a person can contact the class by talking to them. Crazy! This best teacher site was fun to search around! That doesn't mean I have a clue about how to do what they do, but I certainly can see the possiblities! That's half the fun!
In search of direction
Am I the only one, or are the seasons in our lives when we simply have too many things to do and can't seem to focus on getting that list started? I must say this is one of those times in my life when focus seems a bit blurry, like my eyes in the morning. I have searched through other blogs for over an hour now, thought about getting my lesson started, and then had a miserable time remembering where in the world I go to begin typing. Such is the life of a teacher who is used to driving in the fast lane, but has a different road to travel in the summer.
I found it a bit creepy when I went to Google reader, only to find it had so much information of my own in it already. I checked my slow-working mental file, trying to remember if I had been on it before, but certainly think it is simply a reflection of technology and how interlinked it is, even before we give it permission! I am stalked by computer chips all over the world! If only that made me feel popular instead of back in eighth grade when Elmer would call me and tell me how much he loved me and that he would die if I didn't want to go out with him. Since we didn't drive, and there was NO WAY I would even want my parents to take me to him, I assumed we were to meet at the playground? Yes, those computer chips are already at the swing set, pumping their legs high, seeing me way off in the distance. I'm trying to get to the park, Chip! Just don't tell Elmer!
Onto other issues at hand. While I have let the rumor go for more than a week now, and allowed your assumptions to entertain me, I must finally fess up to all of you. It is not me on the drums! You could hear me play, and on a good day I might get a beat going, I wouldn't likely be someone you would ever go see in concert. I'll leave the who in the picture as a secret but thank you sincerely for giving me so much joy as you allowed me to be thought of as someone so young!
Now that I have diverted yet again from the assignment, I will press on and be obedient with the task at hand. To those who return to read this, I thank you!
I found it a bit creepy when I went to Google reader, only to find it had so much information of my own in it already. I checked my slow-working mental file, trying to remember if I had been on it before, but certainly think it is simply a reflection of technology and how interlinked it is, even before we give it permission! I am stalked by computer chips all over the world! If only that made me feel popular instead of back in eighth grade when Elmer would call me and tell me how much he loved me and that he would die if I didn't want to go out with him. Since we didn't drive, and there was NO WAY I would even want my parents to take me to him, I assumed we were to meet at the playground? Yes, those computer chips are already at the swing set, pumping their legs high, seeing me way off in the distance. I'm trying to get to the park, Chip! Just don't tell Elmer!
Onto other issues at hand. While I have let the rumor go for more than a week now, and allowed your assumptions to entertain me, I must finally fess up to all of you. It is not me on the drums! You could hear me play, and on a good day I might get a beat going, I wouldn't likely be someone you would ever go see in concert. I'll leave the who in the picture as a secret but thank you sincerely for giving me so much joy as you allowed me to be thought of as someone so young!
Now that I have diverted yet again from the assignment, I will press on and be obedient with the task at hand. To those who return to read this, I thank you!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
This being an assignment blog and all, I will take the student format and finish up my assignment for now, but wait-lll-next time! I'll be rockin' then!
- What did you learn? Well, I believe I see how stubborn I can be. I need to be a step-by-step kinda gal instead of jumping in on my own. This is me with teaching as well. When I don't break down a lesson well, I often end up back-tracking and having plenty of "do-overs".
- How will you use what you have learned? In my next blog life, I will get rid of that blasted Next Blog feature right away. It's like having a huge bag of candy and putting it all out in a bowl! Why would I want to give readers an opportunity to stray from my blog when I have plenty for them to "eat" without that bloated feeling afterwards (or in the blogging world, blurry eyes that no longer blink on their own).
- How did you feel about staring a blog? Staring at or starting one? wink wink I was nervous for sure but am also excited to see what is not only possible but likely that I can do and use!
- What do you not want to forget about your blog? I will need cheat sheets to get the nitty gritty done but I don't mind that at all. For things I don't use often, why would I want to use my precious brain space when someone else has extra?
- How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role? I am in process with this question and will see as I keep looking at other blogs. There are lots of options but I am not in a hurry to decide. By the time we finish this course, I want to have a clear plan for my classroom and have a blog started with that plan in mind, but I am still thinking....just looking, thank you.
- Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role? I am inclined to want to share this with my students in some form. The research part of sharing ideas has opened up a huge "drawer" of opportunity for me! So many blogs, so little time!
- What questions do you still have about this your blog? Will I remember how to dothe things I've learned? Will I take this from the good idea pile and put it in the I'm using this pile? I wanna, I wanna, I wanna! Please God help me do it!
Another day of singing, "How 'bout this weather? It sure is Hot, Hot, Hot!" Indoors, we seem to insist on believing we are at heart Alaskans, which always makes me wonder why oh why we live here if we like to chill out so much!
My ongoing Avatar sit-chee-a-shun is a bit frustrating. She is playing hide and seek with me I think. Now I see her, now I don't. Perhaps I have a new imaginary friend. I've decided I don't need an on-again, off-again friendship, so she is definitely not coming to my birthday!
Since I have now dissed my new friend, Ava-girl, I am ready to move on to bragging on someone's e blogging expertise. I don't know this girl at all, but she knows how to make a blog! She has music that plays, something I would like to figure out. Beyond the bling, I have gotten lost in her post talk and her clear heart communication. She is amazing! Well, this wonderful girl's blog is: p://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/
It is fun to look at her Clustermap at the bottom of her blog as well. She has a gi-normous following, or at least a bunch of visitors!
My ongoing Avatar sit-chee-a-shun is a bit frustrating. She is playing hide and seek with me I think. Now I see her, now I don't. Perhaps I have a new imaginary friend. I've decided I don't need an on-again, off-again friendship, so she is definitely not coming to my birthday!
Since I have now dissed my new friend, Ava-girl, I am ready to move on to bragging on someone's e blogging expertise. I don't know this girl at all, but she knows how to make a blog! She has music that plays, something I would like to figure out. Beyond the bling, I have gotten lost in her post talk and her clear heart communication. She is amazing! Well, this wonderful girl's blog is: p://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/
It is fun to look at her Clustermap at the bottom of her blog as well. She has a gi-normous following, or at least a bunch of visitors!
Monday, June 22, 2009
I am starting my sixth year of teaching in Round Rock. After student teaching 100 years ago, I decided I would be a horrible teacher and gave up the thought of ever being a teacher. Thankfully, I was given another opportunity when we lived in Washington state. I tried substitute teaching and was bitten by the joy of making a difference in the lives of students and co-workers. I am on a constant learning curve and hope I never think I have "arrived" at being a teacher.
I have three children, who keep me laughing. One is married, one is out of the country, and one is at home entertaining me daily. I have faith in a big God who is all about relationships rather than religion. My life is lived each day intentionally.
My plan with this course in mind was simple and selfish; I wanted to be able to assist my son in making his blog cool! In the process of learning about how to fix his, I am now hoping to make a class blog to put in motion this year with students and hopefully their parents. I want to learn how to add fun features, give it voice both visually and in print, and see how the big dogs do it!
As I begin to thing of my purpose, well Sheesh! I am trying here! Thus far, my purpose is to follow the rules of the game whilst having fun! I desire to not become frustrated with not being able to get things like Avatars to show up and having to start over because I think I have lost something. I will say more later....hopefully AFTER the Avatar is on the page!
I have three children, who keep me laughing. One is married, one is out of the country, and one is at home entertaining me daily. I have faith in a big God who is all about relationships rather than religion. My life is lived each day intentionally.
My plan with this course in mind was simple and selfish; I wanted to be able to assist my son in making his blog cool! In the process of learning about how to fix his, I am now hoping to make a class blog to put in motion this year with students and hopefully their parents. I want to learn how to add fun features, give it voice both visually and in print, and see how the big dogs do it!
As I begin to thing of my purpose, well Sheesh! I am trying here! Thus far, my purpose is to follow the rules of the game whilst having fun! I desire to not become frustrated with not being able to get things like Avatars to show up and having to start over because I think I have lost something. I will say more later....hopefully AFTER the Avatar is on the page!
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