So much to learn, so little time… October 21, 2007

Well today has been another big step in the right direction. With help, I was able to set up a skype acct; have a look at some of the features of it including having a chat and texting someone; finally figuring out how to check my g-mail acct; and find the easter egg. There seems to be so much to learn! And the problem is not in the learning, it’s in the remembering! Will I be able to do this down the road after not having tackled it for a while?

There are so many new words to learn and keep straight and I know that even some old ones are pretty new to me. When you’re having difficulty with something it’s great to know that there are people who can help you. When I read some of my classmate’s blogs I think wow and it inspires me to try more. I am really enjoying reading people’s blog entries.

For all my classmates who are reading this entry you may now add me as a contact for your skype. Please let me know if I can add you as well. You can write your answer on your blog.

my response to the first class of the ICT course October 21, 2007

Today was a big learning curve for me. I’m sure there will be many more! I like change and although I feel worried that I might not be able to keep up at the same time I look forward to learning new things and reflecting on how I can incorporate them into my life, whether personally or professionally.

I thought it was great to meet so many fellow colleagues in our class. It’s nice to meet face to face and get an idea of everyone in the course. Being a visual learner I particularity appreciate being able to put a face to the names.

Help wanted October 18, 2007

I have started to compile a list of things that I need help with. Oops! The list keeps growing…

Everything Good is Bad For You October 18, 2007

I’ve read the excerpt you provided for us to read (several times over the course of the past week) and have been wondering how to respond to it. I think that I’ve finally figured out what to say…

Just today I had a conversation with a colleague about someone we both know – a high school teacher. At the end of the conversation we concluded that this teacher (not a colleague) must be very ‘old school’. He is a nice, older gentleman but does not understand that if someone is struggling in his class then there might be a reason other than that they are ‘just lazy’. Well, after reading the above article several times I have finally come to the conclusion that I myself feel just a little ‘old school’. You see I spend a great part of my day reflecting on how all my students will learn to read and write by the end of grade one. I put a lot of energy each day into making them feel successful about their reading and writing (both are very interconnected and cannot be taught in isolation). If, for example, I wanted my students to create their own blogs it would be an impossible task if they were illiterate. Language and language acquisition is not an isolating task unless you choose to make it so. When my own children were younger we did a lot of reading together. Even as they got older one our most memorable collection of books to share was reading Harry Potter together and talking aboutthem. There is an important place for reading – it opens many doors – that would otherwise remain sealed shut. Just ask an illiterate person.

Even though reading is important, so is being able to problem solve and to think other than in a linear direction. I know, because by taking this course I am coming to realize that I think linearly. I have come to realize that I have a lot to learn when it comes to technology. I find it difficult to jump around, check things out and explore without being able to see what will happen next, without knowing if the next button I push will be the one that results in my computer freezing on me.

I just thought of something – food for thought: Can a general lead an army if he does not even know the basics? Can a child fully use the internet if s/he cannot read?

Security October 17, 2007

I have really been enjoying looking at what everyone else is doing with their blogs. I am feeling a lot out of my league right now though. I did decide to plunge back into the course and keep forging ahead. As far as security is concerned I think that it is a very important issue. I can see how it is important to teach our students about security and particularly at older grades where our students have a lot of computer knowledge. At the grade one level where teachers never leave students unattended for a second; children are constantly supervised and don’t have much technological savvy it doesn’t seem like it would be as much of a concern.

As far as the Edublogs go Isee myself doing the folloing:

• Preparing simple lessons for my students to follow. Much the same a s the ones with the magnetic white board. This would be great for presenting a story or demonstrating a ‘how to’ activity like making a craft.
• Creating a class publication would be great – especially toward the end of grade one when the students have developed more computer skills
• Replacing my class newsletter would be awesome!. I’d have to work out how to keep parental information separate from in-class lessons. However homework could be posted on it and that would be great!
• Creating a fully functional website.

I think these four items are where I would want to begin with my class.

response to phone conversation October 8, 2007

I greatly appreciate all your help. I can see that it will take me going into my blog and really working with it a lot for me to become efficient at using it.

Maureen’s first post September 29, 2007

This is my first entry. This is a telephone meeting with Glen to figure out some of the things about my blog. I wanted to edit this first enty in order to see if I know what I am doing. So the seconnd an third sentences are being added today (Oct. 9th).