Beth's+Journal

Beth's Journal

Link to final project: media type="custom" key="9243958"

3.15.2011

Did I ever consider tweeting before? As the mother of a two teen boys, I have seen how social networking, cell phones, and I-pods can dominate one's life. Though limits have been placed on the time they are allowed to partake in any of the three -- both at home and at school -- these communication devices seem to be somewhat of an obsession. One that I did not understand as well as I do now.

Following my twitter account has been somewhat addicting. I am fascinated as to how many people I can connect with and how much information is at my fingertips. It seems everyone is on Twitter -- from Pewaukee School District employees to the guy standing behind me in the grocery line. I love telling people about this class and how it is opening up a whole new world for me, but I feel 10 steps behind when everyone I talk to seems to have been tweeting for some time now.

I took time and careful consideration when updating my profile with a picture and text. I have been reading tweets almost on a daily basis but am hesitant to jump in. I am hoping, after tonight' class, to gain some confidence in my tweeting and am looking forward to discovering a way to organize this massive informational highway.

I am sure that I am on my way to becoming a tweet-master -- I am looking forward to it.

3.21.2011

I found little time to tweet with week but found tweet deck a useful tool in managing twitter "discussions" during last weeks class. I am still overwelmed with the whole concept of Twitter. I am amazed at the number of people tweeting. I get e-mails daily with new followers and I wonder why. I have yet to tweet anything of substance. I am almost intimidated -- not almost -- I am. I certainly don't feel the need to let everyone know my every move or even a few of them. Perhaps it is a generational thing. I read my son's Facebook wall and I wonder "really??? you had to put that out there?". I don't get it.

I have enjoyed the edchats and specialedchats. A lot of great ideas, discussion, and resources but time is a factor. My days are so busy at school and my evenings and weekends are so busy with my family. In a perfect world, I would have time set aside to Tweet and maybe that is what I need to do.

3.29.2011

Though I believe Twitter opened up a whole new world for me, I have to say that I find Google Reader and GoodReads much more valuable tools for me -- they fit my learning style better. I have used Google Reader daily to keep up with current events and to stay on top of my new passion -- following blogs. I am following three professional blogs -- Free Technology for Teachers, The Principal of Change, and Creating Lifelong Learners -- and a couple of personal interest. I find these blogs a wealth of information that I can sort through and absorb at my leisure.

After explorng GoodReads I immediately followed with a trip to the Barnes & Noble website to order a hefty list of professional and personal readings for Spring Break and this summer. I am awaiting their delivery to my door step any day now.

Regarding Twitter and social networking in general, I found an editorial of interest in this Sunday's Journal Sentinel entitled "When Twittering Gets in the Way of Real Life." In it, the author, Katherine Rosman, describes her obsession with online activities including checking her e-mails, Twitter and Facebook accounts continuously throughout the day. Katherine's husband, Joe, on the other hand, though techy, does not share this addiction and he often complains that his wife's "mind and soul are lost in cyberspace, and all [he] is left with is the husk." But in the end, Joe is intrigued by the a "really cool" group of people Katherine has met through Twitter and introduces Joe to at a tech-industry convention.

It is about balance, my friends. I am in the process of dropping a really bad e-mail habit. I check both my professional and personal e-mails way too much. It is as though I am waiting to recieve some really important information -- but I am not. I am now limiting myself to certain times of day that I allow myself to check and respond to e-mails. Though it is difficult at times, it has helped me focus more on the task on hand -- and probably makes me a better teacher and mother.

4.4.2011

My "tech" world opened even a little wider this week. I am fascinated with Skype -- and as I put my new fascination out there -- it seems that a lot of people use it. Especially those living away from family members, but our use last week during class got me thinking about the possibilities in school. I love the idea of classrooms being able to touch the world outside without leaving the building. From connecting to students from another culture to bringing experts from miles away into the classroom, I find this a powerful tool with a lot of potential.

Though I had a Diigo account, I didn't use it -- I do now! I love the organization factor and the idea of taking my "favorites" from school to home to my IPhone with ease. The categories are a great tool and I am looking forward to exploring the use of Diigo in the classroom. I will be hounding Jeanne for all of her great ideas to steal -- I mean borrow.

Though I haven't had a great deal of time to explore the social networks I joined, I am looking forward to spending more time doing so. I joined Classroom 2.0 to continue my technology journey and School Leadership 2.0 because of my aspirations to become an administrator some day. It amazes me so, so much, that I have had all of this information at my fingertips -- literally -- for so long and never realized it. This class has definitely opened my world -- and I am so grateful. Thanks, Amy.

Beth - My pleasure! I am glad that you are evolving in your exploration and use of these resources. I know it is often overwhelming to have 2 or 3 new tools "thrown" at you in a week. But the hope is, is that you will find one or 2 that you can use for the long haul. Amy

4.12.2011

As I plan and prepare for our final project, I am amazed at the number of avenues we have explored in such a short amount of time. I am choosing to use Animoto as my tool to show what my PLN means to me and how I plan on using it. I have chosen a list of strong, meaningful words and images to put to song regarding how my world has opened up. Again, I am using a tool that I probably wouldn't have if I didn't take this class. I am truly amazed at everything available on the web.

I come from an era where I remember the excitement of the first computer lab at Arrowhead High School in 1980 -- unfortunately, only a small group of students were actually able to use those huge and slow computers. During my college years, I have not so fond memories of hours in the library doing research -- looking up journals, finding articles, photocopying, etc. -- the "fun" never seemed to end. I remember one professional goal when I worked for CESA -- to learn to use e-mail. Oh how far I have come...and how far I can go.

Technology has not only changed our entire world but has impacted my own little world. My students and my own children experience a whole different life than I did. They will never remember a time without technology. This quick and easy access to technology impacts both my teaching and my parenting. Though children have technology at their fingertips to access a wealth of information for learning, as well as, for socializing, children (and adults) need to understand the power -- positive and/or negative -- and responsibility this technology brings.

4.24.2011

Yay! My project is done. Though I find many graduate course projects more cumbersome than a learning experience, this project allowed me to review all that I learned and explore a new medium or two -- I enjoyed it. But now that it is done...I can get back to the blogs that I am following.

On that note, I am following "The Principal of Change" -- a blog written by George Couros. He wrote in one entry "I know that I have said many times before that we need to really role model for students, yet I have seen many instances where I have seen adults needlessly attack and criticize others using the Internet. While many would say that this is the exact type of reason that we need to keep our students away from social media sites, this only encourages me to role model and teach them properly more." Bullseye! Technology opens up a whole new world for us and our students but, I agree, it gives us yet another opportunity to be a role model in our student's life. What a great learning experience for our students -- sharing our PLN with them. Perhaps guiding them in developing their own PLNs -- and then teaching them to use it appropriately.

Mr. Couros continues... "What it is ultimately about is not that we are using social media, but about the person behind the tool. Often technology is what is blamed when we see needless attacks, but it is always the behaviour. It is not that we can’t disagree with people or their ideas; that type of conversation is beneficial to learning in all aspects. It is when we attack people for their beliefs that is wrong. Through my experience, I have learned something very important: our kids are always watching us. Whether that is what we do on blogs, or how we treat other adults on the playground. Yelling at a kid to be quiet, doesn’t make much sense. What you are asking for and what you are doing are two different things."

I have always beleived that besides teaching skills, our greatest job as a teacher, is being a role model in the lives of our young students. This is probably even more true in the world of special education. We not only teach academics -- we teach behavior too. I know people who are much braver in their words in front of a keyboard versus face-to-face. Since technology is the educational tool of the future, it is important to incorporate its use in our teaching -- it is just as important to use and teach proper technology ettiquette. Does is once again go back to the "golden rule"?