Final Lesson- Practice, Practice, Practice

I have learned so much over the last few months. The lessons have not only been about technology, but they have also taught me about myself. I have learned that despite my 20 years in the classroom, I still have so much to learn. I may know about Shakespeare and Frost, about Walker and Williams, but I do not know everything I need to know on the subject. But I now have a large arsenal of tools that will help me help my students and enhance my classroom. I have enjoyed Writing in the Digital Classroom, and I look forward to incorporating the tools I have learned in my lessons and assessments in the months and years to come. Now as I "Pause and Ponder," I share these thoughts and reflections...

Where To Go From Here...

As I reflect on the last four months of being part of Writing In the Digital Classroom, I am simply amazed; my head still swims with all that we have learned and used, all that is available for me to use in my classroom, all that I have actually incorporated in my lessons, all that is yet to be incorporated. I am a new person, a new woman, a new teacher.

I can honestly say that before participating in the course, I used and incorporated technology on the basic level. I used what I had to use and assigned usage as needed. I didn't think I had the time or energy to "research" technology tools to aide my instruction. I was too busy trying to plan and create lessons that would address the curriculum and the standards. Little did I realize that rather than hinder my work- technology made it more accessible, more engaging, and more relevant-in most cases. There are still some works and activities I prefer to do "my" way or the "old-fashion" way, but by-in-large, the manipulation of the various tools I've learned has helped make my work more engaging, more relevant, and more accessible- already.

My biggest cheerleaders are my students. They are really excited to see that 1- I am willing to learn and grow in my profession in an area other than content, and 2- that I know an entirely different world exists outside of the textbook. When I use one of my "new" tools to aide in instruction, most of them are quick to share something else about the tool's usage; some have even created a "must use tool/website" list for me. My only fear is that they are going to create some assignment for me so that they can assess my progress.

I will be a "net" surfer this summer. My goal to to be able to start the 2010-2011 school year with fresh new ideas that will support instruction in ways that are meaninful, relevant, challenging, engaging, and inspriring.

Here I go.....

Lesson Thirteen - Making Movies; Sharing Memories

I have learned so much in the Digital Writing Workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed today's class. I like to learn about tools and to have the opportunity to "play" with those tools so that I can see, for myself, how they work. Thanks, Bill and Olga.

My tool of choice today is Animoto. It is a really easy program to use and one that I already have big plans for in the coming months.

I decided to see what I could create with the basic program. Here is my creation and proof that you can teach an old new tricks.

Click on the- "We Are Family" link below. It should take you to my video.

We Are Family

Lesson Twelve- Technology Tool Box Continues To Grow

Just when I thought it was safe to really start concentrating on the digital tools I wanted to master, I learned about a few more tools that must be part of my technology tool box.

The first tool that I have spent some time with the latter part of this week is Edmodo. I love it. This is a "Free Private Social Platform for Education." And I could not wait to get home from a meeting to sign up. Edmodo is very similar to Facebook set up, and it is very user friendly. I set up one of my AP classes on it and shared it with them on Friday. They were so excited when I pulled it up for them to view. One young lady commented that she couldn't wait to use it; it would be like using Facebook at school. For me- the coolest part is that it is managed by me. I can delete inappropriate comments; I can moderate was does and doesn't go on. Best of all- it is private and FREE.

I also learned about Tagxedo. This site is similar to Wordle, but the user has more to choose from in terms of designing his word graph. I love Wordle, but I love Tagxedo, too. It provides the user alternative ways to view his/her writing, thoughts, etc.

Before taking "The Digital Writing Workshop," my technology "landscape" or identity use to consist of Word, PowerPoint,and YouTube. Over the course of the last few months, my "landscape" has grown, considerably. I look forward to learning about the many tools to be met in our next digital writing class and those I am to meet in the future.

I will have to go by Lowe's on my way home from class today to buy a new tool box. I think I'll invest in the "multi-decker" model.

Lesson Eleven- Threading Voices Via the Internet

Over the course of the last week or so, I have watch a number of tutorial videos for "Audacity," for "Using Goggle Docs," and for using "VoiceThread." Pretty soon, I will have to begin forgetting things so that I can continue to learn. Not that forgetting some things would be bad. I am sure there are a number of teaching strategies I can forget that never worked in the first place.

I need things broken down in a simple fashion. I am not as good as I once was in terms of picking up on new things, but as Toby Keith says, "I am as good as I'll ever be." So, the tutorial that I felt best help me do the basics in VoiceThread was published by Peter Hall of Radford University. I have embedded his video, for I think that for new learners like me will find it user friendly.

Lesson Ten- Treading Water Is A Necessity

I am desperately seeking time, but it seems to elude me at every turn. While the days are longer, no time has been added to help me out. But that is life, so my mother reminds me- often.

The warmth of the days,the longer hours of sunlight shed light on things that did not get the proper attention during the colder months. Those things, end of the year exams, multiple stacks of essays, and the responsibility of being the child of an aging parent require a great deal of my attention. So time that I would have devoted to the Digital Writing class and other activities has had to be shifted elsewhere. Knowing all that I have to get done, with the class, work, care-giving, etc., I have found myself not resting at night. I plan the next day, minutes, seconds, hours, in my so called sleep, and I "wake" in the morning feeling as if I have been run over by a Mac truck.

After church this morning, my aunt made a comment about how tired I looked. I smiled and responded with a wave and said something about the water getting a little deep this time of year. Without a breath or blink, she said, "Well, you didn't take life guard lesson for nothing. Do I need to remind you what you learned? You need to tread water and work your way to the shallow end of the pool. Let some of us help you with the things we can, and what we can't, we will be there to support you."

After I recovered from my amazement- for my aunt has never been so quick with a response- she and I sat down and worked out a schedule and a plan. As we did, I imagined my arms going around in circles, my feet kicking back and forth- not in a tantrum this time, and my body propelling a little toward the shallow end.

My aunt never learned to swim and is deathly afraid of the water. But today, she dived in head first and saved me from drowning. I am blessed.