Friday, October 26, 2007

I've tried to realistically think about how I might use my blog. I'm not sure I would blog about my teaching experiences, lesson plans, educational issues, etc. I would like to record some of the humorous things that happen with the children. I've heard a lot of funny things over the years and one day I'll wish I had written them down. This would be a good place to preserve those memories and share a laugh with others. Also, I have played with the idea of using it as a journal to record my journey with my husband's heart attack, brain injury, and recovery. There have been many times that I needed to know that someone knew how I felt or I have needed someone to tell me whether something that has happened is normal or not for his type of injury. His doctor says he just doesn't know the answers to my questions because normally, people do not survive what he has been through. My mom says we are writing the book and in a lot of ways I think she is right. Anyway, I think this blog would be a good way to let explore what has happened in our lives and embrace our new normal.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Wow!!! I feel so smart. The podcasts I listened to were amazing. I can tell that the students involved love it. They are engaged on so many levels. I found some information and places that I want to revisit so that I can add elements to my units using this newfound source of information. I'm sure my students' parents would be impressed to hear something like, "We listened to a podcast made by students in a school in Maine." I know I would love to hear something like that as a parent. I believe the writer of one of the articles is correct in telling us that the read/write web is here. We can try to ignore it or we can embrace it. Embracing it seems like the sensible thing to do since our kids are there to stay already.

Monday, October 15, 2007

After reading the articles about wikis and looking at several of the ones listed, I believe that the use of them in an educational setting would be beneficial...for older students. I like the freedom to post and edit but I fear that even within a class there could be the potential for mischief, not to mention the possibility for sabatoge or inappropriate postings. I can see how it would be good for college classes whose students are mature enough to filter the bad stuff that mind find its way onto a wiki. I think that the protection one would have to provide for younger students would severely limit the flexibility that a wiki is supposed to generate.

Monday, October 8, 2007

It's a beautiful Monday morning here! Hopefully, this is the last of the miserable, muggy days of summer. I'm ready for a nip in the air and colorful leaves to greet me in the mornings. Today, this week seems manageable. Famous last words! I'm one of the procrastinators of the online class so I must complete my assignments today. I'm just wondering how many million blogs there are out there. I just can't imagine because it is so easy and so accessible. If I can do it, anyone can! I even told my 22 year old something about bookmarking that she didn't know. That felt good...especially for someone who can barely text message or change the ring tone on her phone. Later

Friday, October 5, 2007

Help

I think I added my bloglines to my blogger account. How do I know if I did or not? Is there anybody out there?
The readings this week are very detailed and somewhat confusing for a novice like me. There is a ton of information and frankly, I'm a bit confused. I've set up an account at bloglines but my time to work on it has been so disjointed I don't know if I did it right or not. I don't really understand how to add a feed. I know I'll get it. This chick doesn't quit. Later...

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Another day, another dollar. I'm so thankful for my school situation. It is inspirational here. Everyone works FOR the children, not just the dollar. I need to keep moving so today's post is brief. I need to begin next week's assignments. I love learning the new technology. I just get stressed about getting it all done. So, see ya!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

So...here I am again with not much to say. I'm feeling pretty good about this blog thing. I'm learning a lot from my classmates. I'm amazed at how much I don't know and I'm inspired to learn more. The day holds a ton of activity, as usual, but I'm not feeling overwhelmed. My part of the activity is currently under control, but that could change at any time! Teaching school is an exercise in flexibility. If you can't adapt and change, you'll go crazy. Later...

Monday, October 1, 2007

I did it!

Yippee! I did it! I created a blog. Now, as the children say, "What to do?" My day was uneventful, normal. I've learned not to complain about normal. Normal is good. You only get to know how good it is when your life is interrupted and things are no longer normal. My life was interrupted two years ago when my husband had a massive heart attack. He coded and they worked on him for 45 minutes and finally got a pulse. As a result of the time lapse, he has an anoxic brain injury. We spent 40 days at NMMC in Tupelo, and I believe he's a miracle just to be alive...but God is restoring him more and more each day. He's working. He's hunting. He's making messes. My normal is coming back slowly but surely. It has been life changing and the hardest thing I've ever done. I didn't know what to say on my blog. This came out - not anything about the Read/Write Web or education which is probably what I should write about. Maybe tomorrow...