ECOMP 6016

Two classes at once...Not such a good thing!

What a long week it is has been! Music class, father-in-law in town, friend's wedding, and starting a new master's class. Just a bit much for one week. I feel like I haven't seen my family in days, which would actually be about right. Oh, also add swollen feet from being on them so much longer than normal.

I still need to put the finishing touches on my webquest and now I have three new assignments from the new class. I think a "personal" day sounds really good right now, but oh wait, I have no extra days to take off!!!!! Just a bit stressed now.

New phone, new technology...

It is exciting to have the latest phone and to know nothing about it! My students think I am old and that I need their help...what can I say, they are right. However, I have learned how to blog from my phone, so I must be catching on.

It's a Girl!

This may not be related to school or technology, but we just found out that we are having a girl! I am thrilled, even though I would have been thrilled with another boy. Now my mind seems to think only of baby names...any ideas? We are testing them on our son to see if he can say them and what it sounds like to say both of the names together...this only makes me more side tracked than before!

What Happened to My Technology?

So I started out working diligently on my master's classes, but I seem to have fallen behind. I feel like a hypocrite when telling my students to stay current on work and make sure to work on projects a little at a time. I guess it is time to follow my own advice.

I have researched the use of Web posters, which are pretty neat. I am anxious to try the webquest with my double block English I class. These students need more hands-on projects. I believe my school also has access to FrontPage, so I am hoping to use this is upload my webquest. I have had several comments on my webpage, which I hope to transfer to FrontPage. It would be great to have parent/student access to assignments on line.

Now that Labor Day is over, maybe things will slow down...oh, wait, it is only going to get worse from here! Time to practice time management.

Website Complete!

It is exciting to officially have a website that can be used for parents and students. Although I am already thinking of new things to include on the site, it is nice just to have a starting point. I am anxious to see what my school/district offers for websites so that I can actually use the website all year and make frequent updates. My hope is that I can start to be a bit more paperless as students find assignments online instead of me having to make extra copies! Go Recycling!

Yippee!!!

I may actually get an overhead projector sometime this year! I guess all it takes is to hassle our technology administrator enough!

Not much to report this week other than normal back-to-school happenings. I am excited to practice my required reading presentation on my department Thursday. Several colleages are presenting how to incorporate various technologies in our classrooms this year. It is neat to see so many teachers trying different things to get our kids into the 21st century.

Technology is Here!

It is amazing to see how many of my fellow teachers are incorporating various technologies in class this year! Podcasts, mobile computer labs, cell phone clickers, taking tests on the computers...I am excited to see what else the year brings.

I am anxious to use my new knowledge in technology to further my students' education. I still struggle with the issue of time...when do we have enough? Even if I do not get the chance to use each new activity or technology in class this year, I do plan to incorporate them better next year.

It is also nice to see my administration trying to go as paperless as a school can. We have more recycling going on than ever, and more teachers expecting work submitted via emial. I would like to learn more about Turnitin.com so that I can start to really work with my students on how to avoid plagiarism. Again, I may not get to it this year, but the plan will be there next year!

Time is Officially Gone...

Today marked the first day back to work. It was a great day aside from the tedious back-to-school meetings. My new principal gave the staff the chance to share significant moments from the past few months, and it struck me - we are a family. It was amazing to listen to other's triumphs and loses, without hesitation about what we may think of them. What a great way to start the year!

While today was great to reconnect with co-workers, I feel that I am further behind. Again, the thought of balancing my professional, educational, and family life is stressful! I have so many things I would like to accomplish this year, both professionally and personally, that it can be overwhelming. One day at a time...that's what I need to remember. So, now to work on my webquest from class.

Where Did All the Time Go?

As I read through everyone's blog, I am reminded how quickly time has gone since our last class and how quickly the second class approaches! I am officially back to work tomorrow, so the stress of managing work, my own classes, and my family is starting to weigh me down. I have made such a good use of my time lately on Lesley assignments, but I still feel behind.

Somehow I just deleted the majority of this post...so the rest will be short and sweet. I have started to work on my webquest and have finally found a suitable topic for my students. Hopefully their work will be published in our school newspaper! I have also started my presentation over the reading. A PowerPoint over social networking and bookmarking...hopefully this is creative enough. The website has also been in the back of my mind as I look towards our second class. I have tried to get a more definite feel for each page so that I can work better and faster next time.

I am also preparing for a trip to Illinois over Labor Day weekend for my son's birthday, so August is not my favorite month right now. Simply too much to do. Not to mention Open House, doctor appointments, and family visiting. Before I know it, Baby #2 will be here and the end of the school year will be at hand! It is also sad to realize that the next six months will be the last with my son as our only child. I want to make to spend every extra minute cherishing this time!

Forgetful!

Okay, I can see that this is going to be a problem...I can't remember to blog! I definitely think that this is going to take some getting used to. On a positive note, I did successfully create a survey using Survey Monkey. This was relatively easy and I am excited to see the results in my classroom this year.

As stressful as it is being a student again, I see the benefits for my classroom already!

First Time Blogger

Today is my first attempt at blogging. Hopefully this will lead to great connections and learning!