Anita's+Journal

//Anita's Journal//

__Tuesday, March 8, 2011__ Wow! I am definately lacking in social networking, and also then in a personal learning networks. Felt like I have learned a ton already. Starting to understand that it is not totally about participating in each type of network for hours a day, but scanning for information. I always felt I have no extra time in my day for tweeting, facebook, etc., I feel like I multitask all day. But part of this social networking is keeping things in perspective, and I see this is part of the "learning curve"of how to manage these types of social networking. Learned about "backchanneling". Actually a nice way to communicate in a non disturbing way while listiening to information. Also created and began using a twitter account. Another social media I thought I would never do. I do not have internet on my phone, thus never even considered twittering. Saw that twitter is not just a "stalking site", but a good resource for professional development as long as you choose your contacts corrrectly.

__Tuesday, March 15, 2011__ I have to first say how nice everyone in this class is. I ran into "stumbling blocks" several times today and usually without even asking someone comes over to help. That is fantastic. First task accomplished today was to set up my tweetdeck. Then I set up some columns (PLN2011, scichat, science). Last week I used the hashtags for my content area, science, so have been observing the conversations. Today from #scichat I saw a retweet in regards to "wait time" that led me to a hyperlink. It was good reading. So I replied to the original sender of the tweet and also added him as a person to follow. I can not really say I have participated in a chat, as no one has responded to a tweet of mine, but that will be a goal for me this week. Most tweets of course are about Japan and lessons on earthquakes and such.

__Tuesday, March 22, 2011__ Google Reader, anyother new piece of networking I was unaware of. Was not to sure of how this was usable, but after about 10 minutes of worktime it became very evident. It's hard to find time to look through magazines, articles, authors, etc., Google Reader makes this so easy. I am able to put in my favorite academic and social subscriptions/magazines and easily follow what the hot topics are. Within the same format I am able to identify some favorite people that I like to read/hear about and it organizes all that too. I feel that I am able to keep myself much more current in world topics in a very easy quick format. I sort of feel like this takes over twitter for me. I am still following twitter and trying to get involved in some chats but find myself struggling with twitter. I am still active and trying twitter, perhaps it just takes time. The time to get involved with Edchat on tweetdeck was very helpful... and overwhelming. By the end of the chat I felt like I was doing a better job with staying "up" with the conversation. I threw out a couple comments of my own out, actually had one person respond to my thought. I plan to keep up on the Edchat when this class is over.

I choose to explore the "SMART Exchange". Again the time was much appreciated to explore. I have a smartboard and have taken a couple classes to use the smartboard... but still feel I am not using it to its full ability. Found a couple new interactive things for my students to use as a workshop on the smartboard and also as a whole class review; whack-a-mole, jeopary, my bad.

__Tuesday, March 29, 2011__ I had heard the term "delicious" before, but did not really know what was meant by it. From what was said in class "Diigo" is the new "Delicious". The video clip "Social bookmarking in Plain English" was great. Another term I was not understanding lately was this "cloud" thing. Now I get it, and it is the answer to alot of my flustration. I tend to work/save most of my resources in my "favorites" on my school computer. Thus when I am at home, or anywhere else for that matter, I do not have access to them. With Diigo I can be anywhere, on any computer and have access to all my favorite websites and resources. The ability to list things makes it so easy to access what you are looking for, whether educational or personal.

The idea of Skyping to me seemed to be for "business" people. But after the skype with Chris Reuter I realized I am in business, the business of education. The idea of bringing in "guest" into my classroom is such a great idea. Most of the time it is hard to get people to come to the classroom because of busy schedules and such, skyping is the solution to this problem. My brother actually gave me a skype to put on my computer back in October, it has been sitting next to the computer this whole time. I came home and my son asked what we did in class and I told him of the skype. We installed it this past Saturday. I used it to talked to another person about a question about the U. of Minnisota in regards to some questions I had, my son will be going there this fall. It was not as personable as meeting face to face with someone, but its better than a text or a phone call.

As usual, the worktime at the end of class was great. It gives time to use what we learned in class an not just go home and get stuck there.

Anita - I am glad you are taking this class. It is always nice to meet other educators that share common interests. It sounds as if you are making connections as explore the resources from class. I hope you will continue to expand your PLN after the class is over. I find it challenging to continue something when the "class" is over, but my PLN is one area that I have made the commitment to pursue. Amy

__Monday, April 25, 2011__ Amy, I can promise you that this is only the beginning of my PLN for me. I tend to be the "slow and steady" type of person. I have been continuing to explore and engage in the various tools (twitter, google reader, diigo, etc.) to increase my PLN. I know that this is the only way for me to reach out beyond the walls of my school and thus be a better teacher for my students. It is also a way for me to communicate with my students parents/guardians which increases the success of my students. I found it difficult to stay within the 2-3 minute limit of the final project. My mind in spinning with all the directions this class has me thinking: from increasing my personal connections; to see and respond to other ideas; different ways of communicating for myself, for my students, for my students parents/guardians; changes that need to be made within my school to utilize these tools. Thanks for everything Amy, you model what you teach. Your patience and understanding of each of us in class is amazing, just another thing I will try to take back to my classroom.