A Little Nervous

As I began this class, I had to take a moment to reflect back to my first year of teaching.  When I began, I was the technology guru for my school.  When problems occurred, I was the one they came to for help.  I was by far the youngest teacher there and just out of college.  Now, I am in my 12th year of teaching and when I read through the list of assignments, I had no idea what I am supposed to do.  Oh well, it will be good for me to learn new ideas that can help me become a better teacher.  I completed the first week and will continue to work through the course.  I look forward to learning new concepts.

Well, I made it through the first assignments.  I really think this class is going to be good for me.  I don't know much at all about many of the topics, but I need to learn!  I am excited/nervous all at the same time!

Have you ever known exactly where you are, and yet felt so lost that you thought you might never get out.  I am THERE now!!!  I am NOT a technology guru!  I like to stay ahead on my studies since I am a full-time mom and full-time teacher.  As I went browsing through the assignments for this technology class, I see that during week 2 I have to make a PowerPoint.  I think, "hmm, this is no big deal, I use PowerPoint in my class all the time."  I go through the process of making a new PowerPoint.  Since I am going to need one soon on cause and effect for my Language Arts class, I decide this will be my topic.  I finish my PowerPoint and submit it for grading.  I then continue browsing through the next weeks of the course and realize this... I AM IN BIG TROUBLE!!!  I have no idea how to do any of the other things that are to be done in this class.  In fact, I have only heard of one of them (the WEBQUEST).  I break out in a cold sweat, take deep breaths trying not to cry, and realize THAT is a losing battle and burst into tears.  I am a straight A student!!!  What am I going to do???  I think I might have an anxiety attack because I am in an alternate universe and cannot find my way out. 

Please help!!!  Someone find this universe and get me out of it!!!  Technology has taken me captive, and I have to learn all of these things to get out!!!  I think I may be stuck here FOREVER...

Technology in the classroom

I picked my daughter up from school today and she reminded me I had to be at school Thursday after school to sign papers and pay $50 for a surface tablet. She goes on to tell me it is basically an iPad. Perry County is providing these to students in grades 8-12. WOW!!!!

This is awesome news! When I went to M.C. Napier in the 80's we still had manual typewriters!!!! My daughter asked me ..."what's a type writer?"

It is amazing  what technology is now available to us as educators and students. I do have to admit I am in favor of learning in a classroom the old fashioned way when it comes to math, reading and science. I know  a few people who are getting their education degrees and most all their work was online. That is scary to me. Maybe I am just old-school???? What do you think?

Creating a Blog

I have wanted to create a blog for a long time but kept putting it off because I didn't know how.
I am still working on my blog but I must say I am so glad I have started working on the blog.
This class is awesome and has held me accountable for getting started!

I consider myself to be average when it comes to working with technology. I love learning new things.

I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I am proud to say I successfully taught high school biology for seven years and worked in pharmaceutical sales for the past twelve years. My passion involves teaching others and photography.

I have gained some very useful knowledge from this class and I am so glad I stuck it out.

Technology for Educators

Great Class. Very scary at first but I seem to be catching on...hopefully!

Web Blog

      I believe one of my favorite activities in this class was the use of creating a Web Blog. There have been many times that I know students would like to have had a way to communicate with me or just with the other students within the class to help them in some of our assignments. After creating a blog I have realized how beneficial this could be for my students, parents, other professionals, and myself. It allows students to view assignments from class. I now know that this is very important in case they need a refresher when they get home from school; students will have access to material in class that will better help them complete their homework. Along with this, it gives parents an opportunity to step within the “classroom” and see what their child is working on, as well as a record of activities that I am teaching. I am excited about all the possibilities that a web blog has, and look forward to continuing my blog within the future.