Thing #4: Lovin' Blogs!

Blogs are exciting channels that facilitate learning. They give us (and will give students) ownership of their learning and automatically bring about metacognition in an authentic way. I had an aha moment while reading Anne Davis' EduBlog Insights blog http://anne.teachesme.com/2007/01/17/rationale-for-educational-blogging/ when she asserts that blogging gives students an opportunity to share their voices. I am a lover and teacher of writing, and I love the opportunities blogging affords me to share my voice. It is exciting to think about those same opportunities for our students. They have a unique opportunity to PUBLISH their thoughts in writing. While they are reflecting, learning, and making meaning, they are sharing all of that with the world. That is huge. Society and the world are in a swarm of constant change. Blogging is a way to allow ourselves and our students to keep up with those changes! I look forward to learning even more ways to revolutionize my own learning as well as others.

Thing # 2: Thoughts about Web 2.0

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I am pumped about integrating more technology into my job. I especially want to use/share more technology in the staff development workshops I develop and present. I think it is a non-negotiable in today's educational practice. I was very moved and inspired by the YouTube video from the students' perspective. 

I enjoyed David Warlick's article, "A Day in the Life of Web 2.0." I LOVED the integration of disciplines with Mr. K's P.E. classroom and Ms. S's classroom! Blogs offer so many opportunities for higher level thinking, and I am getting to experience them first hand. I have always wanted to blog, and this is giving me a welcomed jump start. I want to learn about Wikis! I'm a little embarrassed that I don't know what they are.

 

I thought it was great (in the article) that the superintendent was so involved in the different technologies being implemented.

 

I look forward to learning more about the resources available in Web 2.0 for my job, for teachers, and most of all, students.

Thing #1

I consider myself to be a natural, celebratory life-long learner. I love to learn. If it weren't for the cost, I would be a life-long college student. I simply LOVE learning new things and the opportunity to interact with and learn from other people.

The easiest aspect of life-long learning for me is, "beginning with the end in mind." I am a big picture kind of person, and when I start something new, I typically have an idea of what it will "look like." I thoroughly enjoy project-based learning. I feel it is the most relevant, meaningful way to learn, and I also feel that it suits my personality.

The most challenging aspect of life-long learning (7 1/2 Habits) for me is viewing problems as challenges. I am extremely busy with both my work and other aspects of my life, so when a new problem arises, I tend to let it stress me out. I need to learn to view those problems as challenges I can work through. I hope to apply this perspective to Web 2.0 as well as all other aspects of my life.

The habit I found most important was accepting responsibility for my own learning. That is at the core of the definition of a life-long learner. If someone is participating in a learning activity because it is a requirement or someone external is pushing the learner to do so, the learning will be less helpful and maybe even futile or meaningless.