Reflections

This is what I notice I'm doing with my blog: I go to my reader to quickly access my blog not to write but to quickly access the EPET PhD Ning! Interesting. Accessing my spaces are fewer clicks now but I am still a consumer rather than producer of content. I wonder why. Maybe because I don't feel like I have anything to write. I don't have a focus, a passion, an agenda requiring the blog soapbox... I will continue to observe my actions. Until then...

something that might work

I just added this blog to my RSS feed! I check my RSS feed regularly. I'm hoping this will spark my desire to post regularly on the blog. We'll see!

Why so Random

When I started this bolg I planned for frequent posts. Obviously that has not been the case. I'm wondering what I need to do to get myself on this blog more often. When I discover the plan It will be obvious as I will have frequent posts! Wonderful news... I've been accepted into the EPET hybrid PhD program at Michigan State University. We start our fist classes this June! Maybe that will get me to be a regular blogger!

Crazy Ladies in Techno Land! Our First Podcast!

Update

I rarely visit this blog and I know frequent visits are necessary to keep a blog current. I notice my Voki is quite dated... nobody wants to watch a talking turkey in February! Although my blog posts are infrequent, my journey toward becoming a techy teacher continues. Most recently, Val Byrnes and I were awarded a Mathematics and Science Project (MSP) grant! Next school year she and I will facilitate a year-long PD project working with a cohort of teachers in STEM education. Additionally, I am eagerly awaiting the letter in the mail that either confirms or denies my admission into the Michigan State Hybrid EPET PhD program. It's like chewing stainless steel roofing nails waiting for this letter! If accepted I plan to study the integration of technology into the teaching of writing. Enough for now. My "Technology in the Classroom" class, session 5 of 6 is about to begin!

My Latest Tech. Learning Opportunities

The past four weeks have been a whirlwind of tech. learning! Late October 2011 I had the good fortune to attend a Solution Tree workshop by Bill Ferriter. Teaching the iGeneration. This two-day session reminded me to consider the essential skills of the 21st Century for example: how to manage information, how to productively contribute to collaborative dialogue, and understanding persuasion. Bill reminded me that this work isn’t about technology tools; it’s about skills and strategies. The tool is just that, a tool to create, collaborate, think critically, and communicate. This workshop followed one day of Meg Ormiston's two day Solution Tree workshop. Meg is a dynamic presenter emphasizing all the reasons why we as educators need to "get plugged in!" The learning did not stop there! The next few days were spent in Las Vegas attending the Computer Using Educators of Nevada annual two-day conference. After this, I attended an all-day, on-line virtual technology conference through FETC, Florida Education Technology Conference. Finally, attending Autorspeak by Solution Tree allowed me to visit with, and learn from technology advocates and experts such as Will Richardson, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, James Bellance, Ron Brandt, Kipp Rogers, Doug Fisher, Nancy Frey, Alex Gonzalez, Thomas Guskey and Bob Marzano (ya, I know, those last two are not technology, but still!) and of course, Meg and Bill!
My mind is full of new ideas and new energy! I can't wait to share. Oh, and by the way, I have learned how to twitter! I've recognized Twitter as a useful tool as I build my Professional Learning Network! Notice my idea aggregator, the news panel to the right, paper.le! It's a wonderful way to filter the massive amounts of information twitter brings to the screen. At this juncture in my learning I think the most important thought put in my head by Bill is that my problem is not information over-load, it is filter failure! He is so right! With a clear focus on skills and strategies, I will look for and learn about web 2.0 tools in a different light. Awww, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer worry about catching up but I do want to make sure I keep up.

Classroom Technology