As the title of this post suggests, I am participating in #ETMOOC, which is a massive open online course about educational technology and media. I don’t even remember when I signed up, but received an introductory email a few weeks ago. At first I thought….oh no, what I did I sign up for! I’m not sure what to expect, but my goals for this course are:
- Start a blog(I can check that one off the list!) I have always planned on starting a blog for a few reasons – 1)I find that writing/typing my thoughts and ideas helps me a ton. It helps me process and reflect on what I have done/learned. So much can be learned in reflection! 2)Share what I have learned – hopefully someone will find it useful.
- Connect and learn how others are learning/instructing using technology. For as much as I feel I know, there is still so much I don’t know and it’s way more fun to learn with others.
- Learn some tools more deeply. I have a working knowledge of many tools, but often don’t take the time to really explore deeply what they can do.
What have I learned so far…..that for now the hardest part about setting up the blog was the naming and designing it!
Looking forward to the next ten weeks…………………………
Congratulations on your first post. I know that many get stuck when it comes to the title, tag line and appearance of their blog when they are starting. I’m glad you figured it out and I love the title you chose.
Thanks much – looking forward to learning with you!
Hi Stacy.
I like your Goal #3 “Learn some tools more deeply. I have a working knowledge of many tools, but often don’t take the time to really explore deeply what they can do.”
In my position, I am exploring many strategies and technologies and tools to assist students in many different classrooms. I want to be able to have a good general sense of what is out there, so that when a classroom teacher comes to me about a student or group in their class, I know where to steer them. Very rarely however, do I investigate something more deeply so that I can utilize it more fully with a group of students with whom I am working. I’ve chosen old school Kurzweil to start with, as I have a student that can really benefit from it’s capabilities. I wonder if there is anything newer that can accomplish the same thing?
It’ll be good to be on this journey with others such as yourself.
Melissa,
Thanks for the comment. It sounds like you have a position somewhat similar to mine. It can be struggle, because of the need to know “a mile wide” of tools to be able to assist a wide variety of teachers/subject areas, but also the urge to know more deeply what everything can do. I think this whole experience has the potential to be great – especially the ability to connect with people like you!
I like your blog title!
I also have the same goals, my main struggle is not to get overwhelmed by everything and to explore all the options we have as teachers.
I am starting to think that is a new goal I have – not to have a complete breakdown and find meaning in the chaos:)
Glad to be a part of the village. I’m getting back into blogging. It just needs to become a habit.