It’s interesting to me that last year about this time my colleague was fervently attempting to get our entire consulting team (well, mostly us girls who didn’t yet have blogs!) to get started with this phenomenon that he is so passionately involved with. I don’t know how many times he set us up, only to have us basically waste his efforts with a feeble attempt and then abandon completely in light of frustration, with our common excuse of “We don’t have time to blog!!”. Fortunately, he never chastized us, but rather suggested that when we had a legitimate need to blog – we’d get started.
So here I am. A master’s class is certainly legitimate.
And yet, I must admit, I had almost started to dabble in the blogging world last semester while taking another EC & I class. I found in my last class that I sure had a lot to say…and sharing it with the prof in a research paper really wasn’t going to do much to start dialogue about the issues I was concerned with. So…I guess I am beginning to see the potential and usefulness of blogging. I’m sure by the end of the course I’ll be a junkie….
This is my first online course, and while I’m not an idiot when it comes to technology, I’m certainly no savant…so this shall be interesting.
We are constantly trying to find innovative ways to use technology in our division as we are spread across a huge piece of the province geographically, basically the U.S. border to as far north as Craik. For the health and welfare of our teachers, not to mention the financial burdens of mileage, we have placed several polycom units in our rural schools. While they have their glitches, they have proven useful. I’m anxious to learn about other technologies that we can use to engage our teachers in conversations and professional learning…and hopefully inspire them to use the same technologies with their kids. It’s a big shift though…personally and pedagogically, to see that technology can be used effectively.
I’m a perfect example of that!!
January 12, 2008 at 11:09 am
Welcome to blogging, Tammy. I’m going to encourage you to step right into a new one. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do all of the planning for the curriculum meeting(s) we’re going to do via a wiki? You could set the agenda and others could add suggestions. . .
January 13, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Welcome Tammy. I’m really happy that I gave you the excuse to blog as it can be a wonderful experience, although certainly, it is not for everyone.
I am now subscribed to you so I will be watching for your new thoughts.
All the best in this new journey, and do not hesitate to ask for help.
Alec
January 13, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Jumping into blogging is easy, but it takes time to find your voice and niche. I’ve restarted my web site countless times in the 8 years I’ve had the domain. One thing that helps is to always keep your audience in mind. I notice you two are talking about using a planning wiki. Here’s a link to the one I created to keep my boss updated on my work. This makes it easy to shift our schedules around if we don’t have a chance to meet in person. I also like that she doesn’t have to know about everything I do. If someone asks her to be accountable, she can refer to the site from anywhere and sound knowledgeable about our programs. http://btcelearningplanning.wikispaces.com/eLearning+Updates
January 13, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I’ve been blogging since this past August, and I love the dialogue that it enables – I’m based in the US, but I’ve had feedback from and discussion with teachers and tech enthusiasts from around the world and around the block. Teaching can be an isolating profession; blogs, Nings, and Twitter allow us the tools to create a global professional development/support network from the comfort of our own homes.
Good luck in your blogging ventures!
January 13, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Hi Tammy – You are so right when you say “It’s a big shift though…personally and pedagogically, to see that technology can be used effectively.” It is a shift for us, but so very natural for the students. I encourage you to continue to blog, but also to read others blogs and comment. By joining a community of other educators who feel the way you do, you will begin to grow and share and the shift will come. I have found that twitter has also opened up my world and network of friends. The collaborative nature of these tools can be so wonderful and you as you use them in your masters program I am sure you will find ways to use them with your students. Best wishes! Tina
January 13, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Hi Tammy.
I am a teacher in New Zealand who blogs. The fact that someone from far and away can share in what you are doing can be a powerful tool in itself. It opens up my world.
The tool that I want to use a lot more in class this year is http://www.voicethread.com
So easy to use with kids and so versatile and secure.
Good luck with your blogging.
January 13, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hiya Tammy! Blogging can be tough work, as you have probably discovered along the way. I have been blogging since July 2005 to help me with the discipline of writing a Masters’ thesis. I can’t say I blog every day or even every week, but I have to say it is *wonderful* to look back and see my personal and professional development over time. Sometimes I blog conferences, sometimes share resources, sometimes just think out loud. But it can be hard work! I think you will be amazed at the great emerging technologies that can support learning in and out of the classroom. Have fun and be sure to create a strong network of support (online and offline) along the way! Enjoy the journey!
January 13, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Welcome to the blogosphere Tammy. I think the above comments are a testament to the power of technology in terms of networking. You will build an audience with whom you will foster relationships that will push your thinking. These tools are fun and engaging, have fun exploring.
January 14, 2008 at 9:51 am
Good luck with your blogging adventure (reprise) this time Tammy. We’ll have our ears on! I use my blog as a notification tool about educational technology issues, events, etc. The original idea was to connect to students in my grad program, not as often as a place to write about issues, but it is amazing how many others listen in. I hope you’ll find your voice in the blogosphere and that it energizes you to explore and play with great ideas in educational technology.
January 20, 2008 at 2:20 pm
The above posts, as I guess you can now perceive, attest to the real power of this social tool. How does it feel to get some cyber “high fives” and encouragement?!!
🙂
January 28, 2008 at 10:58 pm
See, I knew you’d see the light 😉