Ready, Set, Relax...

My Summer Vacation Plans in 5 Words

• Kindle - I plan to attack the "wish list" on my Kindle whenever I get the chance. The summer is the time to catch up on and enjoy pleasurable reading choices.
• Fitness - I need to get back to running for pleasure, weight-management, and stress releif. I've put it the back burning in favor of graduate work. Now, it moves to the front as a priority. I also want to play tennis with my son and husband for exercise.
• Family - I can't wait to take day trips and spend time with my "boys" (2 sons & husband). I have a few ideas of places I'd like to visit. The pace will be relaxed without the hectic stresses of work and school.
• Nesting - I'm looking forward to tending to my house. By that, I mean lawn work & little jobs around the house that I'm always too tired to complete at the end of a work day. My list is lengthy, but reasonable.
• Appreciate - I want to savor every moment when I find myself looking at the clock when I really have NO set schedule whatsoever. My favorite time of the day is 6:00pm. If possible, whereever I am, I'll go outside and take in what's around me and appreciate that each day is a gift.

MAIT Hiatus



The Finale

Well, our finale is here. I'm happy with the portfolio product I produced. It's rewarding to see the accomplishments of the first two courses take shape in this evolving portfolio. The "fruits of my labor" have a new home...for now it's a break only to resume renewed and refreshed in the fall. I'm write more post wrap-up party. Until then...

The Final Stretch...

Blog Tagxedo

 

 

Here's my test run of Tagxedo; my blog in the shape of a summer starfish...wishful thinking of beach time soon to come! Tonight's class brought into focus that fact that we're learned so much already in just two classes of this graduate program. We all deserve three cheers for that! In reflecting on the first class with Darryl, I too realize how far I've come in such a short time. I'm grateful for the newly-acquired confidence I now feel in navigating Web 2.0 tools. I approach each new task as a challenge rather than an obstacle. As my knowledge of tools and their applications increase, so does my confidence in transferring that new knowledge to the classroom. Now, my final project is creating my personal portfolio to showcase all I've accomplished in this class. Cheers to us!

Tool time Prep

 ...Preparing for my tool time presentation of BeFunky. This is a fun, creative site. Check out my hungry son Sawyer. Can't wait to show it off Monday night!

PLN in Progress



 This weekend, I spent time developing and creating my PLN using Mindomo. I enjoyed using the site (thanks Sue!) and found its features vast and easy to navigate. If you get a change, preview my PLN and, if inclined, please offer feedback. I haven't added links yet. I think you can only add one link per topic, so I'm still investigating that feature. The work contiues...

Welcome summer



Observe Memorial Day



Reflection

Time is flying...

It's hard to believe we have just two class meetings left, plus a Wimba session next Monday. I'm busy creating my PLN, deciding what web 2.0 tool I want to use as the format. Choices like this can be overwhelming. The discussion on possible career paths was beneficial. I guess it's never too early to consider life after this program is over, although now that seems like a world away. I'm also preparing my tooltime presentation for June 6th. I appreciated the laughs on Monday night, which included identifying Andy at the "Jing Master." I really enjoy the dynamics of our cohort and I'm grateful for all they bring to this graduate experience.

Exploring PLN's

I've started my preliminary research on PLN's. I came across this PLN Tutorial on YouTube which I found useful. Since grasping the concept behind creating a PLN, I came to see a common thread between this and the vision I feel is missing in my professional department. To be fair, there may be a vision somewhere, but it's clouded by the state's mandates on our ever-changing curriculum. So many thoughts going through my head...I guess it would be ideal to have a clear departmental vision to strengthen our cohesiveness when we're rocked by constant changes imposed on us by the powers that be. With this new motivation, I'm looking forward to creating my own PLN.

On a different note, I came across this Cool Cat Teacher Blog while researching PLN's. I've only just started following the writing, but I'm liking it...enjoy!

Reflection

Educational morsels

I continually measure my progress in this program by reflecting on the new learning I acquire in each class. This past week, the "a-ha" moments were abundant. The vast array of content covered by the presenters was impressive. Walt Disney and war-training movies...who knew? The bookends to the Scott/Sue/Julie presentation were creative and inspiring. The 3.0 web discussion brought 21st century learning and teaching into focus as the next frontier in education. I love morsels like that to chew on! In addition, mult-tasking is a behavior to which I refuse to succumb. However, I know, based on the multitude of hats I wear as a working parent/student, it's inherent to my day-to-day survivial. As long as I don't appear as frazzled as I feel inside my brain, then I remain one step ahead of the game. Now, it's time to continue refining projects on my contract.

A Series of Hurdles

This picture describes how I felt after giving my History of IT presentation Monday evening. I'm proud of what our group accomplished. I enjoyed the experience and the topic very much. If I'm correct, it's the first go at a group project. In addition to the educationally relevant discussion it prompted, many of us turned nostalgic about the educational games we played as young learners. Shaina's post got me reminiscing about my teenage heartthrob, the Karate Kid. So, I include the following pictures:

Karate Kid then...

Karate Kid now...my son Harrison

Reflection

After last night's class, I'm simultanously feeling energized and overwhelmed. I'm excitied that our History of IT project is taking shape. It was rewarding to see my group producing and working so well together. Darelene created a Wikispace to house our project. I used bubble.us for the first time to create a Project Timeline for our group. I like the look of what it produces. Our group dynamic is the energizing part...it just feels like one can accomplish more with the help of others. I think we're hoping NOT to take an extra week to complete the project. It's ironic that we're all of the "let's just get this done" mindset, although we're not fully decided yet. I feel like I'm constantly aware of how fast time flies by. I'm trying hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind. In my tunnel vision, I see the beach, my beachchair, and a cocktail at Scott's end-of-class party :-) Have a good week everyone! Think summer!

Capstone Showcase

Tonight I attended the Spring Capstone Showcase on the Stockton campus. I was very impressed with everyone's presentations...all women by-the-way. Everyone's research benefited education in some way. The presenters themselves seemed calm and confident. I can only hope I'm in a similar place when the time comes...an evening well spent. Thanks again to my husband who made it possible to attend!

April 25th Class

I successfully logged on and participated in my first Wimba session this evening. For someone who feels very intimidated by new technology, I feel quite accomplished. I used my husband's laptop, because our home desktop was being finicky with Java. All in all, I feel I benefited from accomplishing this task. I knew I had to complete the Wimba/BB worksheet, but could not locate the handout on Blackboard. Amy was able to direct me to the handout, and my mini-crisis was averted...I like the format of Wimba, but it took some getting-used-to. I think I'm a very visual learner, so being so aware of listening was different for me. I actually look forward to becoming more proficient with Wimba by completing the worksheet assignment. I also mentioned that I'm attending the Capstone presentation at Stockton tomorrow. I think it will be helpful to see some examples of the end product. It also dawned on my that I'm a living example of the "it takes a village" philosophy in regards to reaching my grad school goals and raising a family. Thanks to my husband, and our "tag team" approach to parenting, I'm able to attend tomorrow night's event. Thanks HGxo! Talk to you soon...

Spring Break Perspective

The Years are Short

If you can, watch this 1-minute video. If you're a parent, it is a must-see. Enjoy!

Toddlers + Wimba = Not Happening

Hi All,
I had all intentions of logging into my first Wimba session. With one son asleep and another watching Dora, I thought I was safe. However, that plan fell through as Harrison came to visit, asking endless questions about what I was doing. Since my husband doesn't come home from work until 7pm, I was stuck. So, instead I spent 30 minutes setting up a Sesame Street account for my son and watching educational videos on their playlist-of-the-day. So, the score is Grad School 0, Family Time 1. I'll try again next Monday...missing you guys. I did watch the Wimba tutorials today. They were helpful...

Easter Egg Hunt

This past Saturday, my two sons participated in our church's Easter Egg Hunt. This technology-free event reminded me, once again, of the innocence of youth, that I'm able to continually experience through the eyes of my sons. It was a welcome break from the stresses of work and school. Thanks guys! Happy Easter.

Tech use this past week...

This past week, I implemented the use of the site www.goodreads.com with two of my classes. I created a private group to which my two classes are now members. They are tracking their independent reading selections and answering posted discussion questions. I run and control the group as the moderator. So far, I'm very happy and excited with the results. I've managed to create an intimate, academic setting for my students to discussion literature on the web. Initially, I would have thought intimate and internet was an oxymoron. I'll let you know how it goes...

The Kickoff

Today I set up my Blog, which I feel to be a huge accomplishment. First, because I actually found the time to do it and second because it seems to be up and running. I've been interested in starting a blog since seeing the movie "Julie and Julia." Of course, she was blogging about cooking and I'll be blogging about using technology. Hmm. Oh well. In a way, I am cooking up new ways to use technology :-)

I'll be back to write more when time allows...