The wheels are turning...

The last few days have been very busy for me.  In addition to my full load at school, I also volunteer at my sons school.  Again this year, I am a room mom and chair of our Spirit Wear sales.  I have spent the last few days trying to think of ways I can use what I am learning in ELED 3300 to simplify my life.  I am thinking I might try to create a webpage with our items.  I can include pictures of the items we sell and include an online order form.  I can use the blog feature to post updates for new items, bulk order/delivery status. I know there are other things I would like to include, but am still mulling the logistics.  Although it sounds like a great idea, realistically I have to find the time to put it into action.  Time...one thing technology can't give you more of!

Why use a portaportal?

In the beginning, I found it hard to imagine why in the world I would ever use a portaportal.  I have been utilizing Google Bookmarks the last few years, and can access them anywhere.  The problem with Google bookmarks is that unless the computer you are using has the Google Toolbar installed, you have to go through several steps to get to them.  After I started the portaportal assignment, I realized the value the very next day.  Google Toolbar is not installed on the computers on campus, and I needed something I had bookmarked.  I realized I could go right to my portaportal and quickly get exactly what I need.  Later, while searching for information for an assignment in my Creating Learning Environments class, I stumbled on several websites I thought would be good resources for other projects. I added all of them to my portaportal, and can go back and browse them if I ever have any spare time.

So I've been thinking...

I've been trying to think of ways that blogging could be used in the classroom, and while doing research on learning logs for another class, I ran across many articles on weblogs. Learning logs on the web is how they described them, but the possibilities are endless.

I just had a second to sit down and go through today's mail. On the front page of our Catholic Newspaper was an article featuring my children's school's former principal. Mr. Knoop left our school as principal to go back to his passion, teaching science. How amazed I was to see that he not only had traveled to Anarctica for a week in early September to collect data to study the effects of climate change with a team of international scientists and volunteers, Mr. Knoop used a blog to ask and answer questions for his students, posting pictures and his research, and even broadcast via skype into the classroom. An article was also included in The Tennessean. I am happy that the technology I read about on the internet is already being embraced right here in our own backyard. I am looking forward to asking him questions about other ways he uses technology in his classroom. While I was sorry to see him go, I understand the need to teach. Fortunately his predecessor thinks along the same lines and is very technology driven.

While we are on the subject of his predecessor, Dr. B. is always looking for ways to make life easier for her teachers and staff. They are currently struggling to produce a 15+ page weekly newsletter for every family in the school. In an effort to go green this year, they decided it would only go out electronically. While searching for useful tools and websites to add to my portaportal, I found and suggested a site to Dr. B. Since I am a parent that would be receiving this information, I really looked for all the 'glitches' per say, that they would be sure to look for, cost being #1, and found none. While the School secretary/nurse was skeptical, after I explained the concept of it being a blog she updated as needed, when she had time, as opposed to trying to make all the articles fit into Publisher and rush to get it out every week, she was very receptive. The Tech Director is looking into it further, so hopefully we will stay green and Dr. B. and her staff won't go gray!

I am really excited about the use of technology in the classroom. This class and the assignments make you think about how you can use the technology you use everyday in a learning environment in an entirely new way.

My first blog

Well, I must say I never thought I would blog. But I enrolled in this class, Instructional Design & Technology in the Elementary School, and when I found out one of the assignments was to create a blog, I went white. Don't get me wrong, I love technology and am very excited about learning how I can incorporate technology into my future classroom, I just have learned over the years to keep my personal feelings to myself, therefore my reluctance to post them on a blog for all to see. I knew this class would quickly became my favorite, (because of my love of technology), but wasn't sure what to expect from my instructor.

I have already learned many things, and not necessarily all of them were technology driven. For example, to greet students in a cheerful way, capturing interest in the first few minutes of class is crucial to becoming a successful teacher, along with firm but flexible guidance.

The first few weeks of school have flown by so fast I have found myself struggling to keep it all together to get every assignment in on time. After having the summer off and relaxing with kids it has been difficult to get back in the swing of things. But I am getting there :)

One of our first assignments was to read a chapter from the book and view a video, then post our thoughts to a discussion board. Again, I would be required to post my thoughts on things for all to see, not my favorite, but I am beginning to see the need of doing things we don't like because it will help my communication with not only the students, but more importantly their parents. As usual, I waited to see what others had to say before completing my assignment. I found others posts interesting, and saw that it is possible to have a friendly, non-judgmental discussion online. I took a deep breath and dove in, and it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Our next assignment was to create this blog, and post our thoughts on class that week. I have again had a hard time juggling my time between my homework and helping my kids with theirs, but I have to admit, after typing my thoughts out here, I feel better about all that I have to do and can cross at least one item off my list for today. Because of this, I am looking forward to getting my thoughts out on our next assignment, creating a Portaportal. That was really fun, and something new I will definitely use going forward. But I'll expand on that thought next time. Now, I need to go help my Kindergartner with his family project for a while before tackling another homework project of my own this afternoon. Thankfully I still have nap/reading time in my favor!