CEDu-534 Week Three

This week we discussed RSS Feeds as well as the use of blogs in the classroom. Today, I introduced a blogging activity for my students in Communications II. We are currently reading Macbeth, and with this blog, students will be answering questions and using critical thinking skills to relate the plot of Macbeth to different themes as well as events in their own lives. Mind you, it is not easy relating to an older man who kills his leader, but there are some similarities to be had. To me, it demonstrates the students' strengths and abilities to create, edit, and discuss on a more mature level.

CEDu534 - Week Two

This week we discussed a few different aspects of possible uses for different sites in the classroom. We were asked to view and look for different blogs that would be helpful for us either in the classroom or in education. Many of the blogs that I have read are very insightful, and as an educator, it is interesting to hear what other teachers in my profession are using, and teaching in their classrooms. One of the sites that I had looked at was that of a fellow English teacher. It is interesting to see how he has included information on his units as well as assignments on his blog for his students to access. I like to see how these blogs are utilized in different manners and it gives me better ideas on what I can do to better the students in my classroom as well as push the use of technology in my district.

Digital Media - Week One

After going over the syllabus in class, there were many items in the assessment list that we had covered previously. I am still anxious to add to my repetoire of goodies, however, so bring on the new technology and software! I am all for it!!

I am looking forward to holding class online again this week. It does offer us the opportunity to look at different conferencing sites, and possibly suggest ways in which we can use these sites in the future. I would love to see PWSSD incorporate a mandatory online course for our students before they graduate, and discussing this in class and with our GT coordinator, this could be a possibility in the future.

CEDu-527 WEEK FIVE

After this week, I am tired. Playing the game was interesting, and as we got further into it, I felt like I was meeting resistance with that of my own department colleagues. It is difficult to keep those on board (no pun intended) who are giving resistance and not just give up on them and move forward without them. This also relates to my department in that I WANT to help those who are behind, but I don't feel the effort or motivation to keep them involved.

On that token, the drinks, food, and company were nice, and it was an interesting way to examine the "goings-on" and what others have to deal with when trying to implement new and positive procedures into the school district. For example, I can only imagine, NOW, the lengths that it took to get the educators in our district on board with the Positive Learning Communities (PLC). The change is necessary, and for the better, but now I can see where the stress resides!

CEDu - WEEK FOUR

Ok...so I just spent 10 minutes typing out my blog...to have it backfire and not save...so now I just feel like complaining about technology, not praising it.

Anyway...to start again...

I enjoyed reading the chapter this week. The idea of incentives in the school really intrigued me, and I thought it was a good idea and there are many ways in which it could be implemented for educators. Now, don't get me wrong, I do not think that rewards for teachers are necessary, as the true reward is hearing of a student's future successes due to your teaching, or your class. HOWEVER. I do think that when rules are not being followed, when there is animosity in the school building, when teachers are not doing as they are asked to better the students as well as colleague relationships, that incentives for the teachers who are doing these things are better than punishing the whole for what a few refuse to do or change. When given incentives, teachers feel appreciated, wanted, useful. It is a nice reminder that we are not just doing this for the student, but for the community and our future as well.

I have been given ideas through this chapter of perhaps better ways to bring my department together...what is wrong with a little Secret Santa in February?! It would definitely give us all something to talk about together!!

CEDu - Week THREE

"For every deep and complex problem facing our society there is a simple answer, and it is wrong." - HL Menckin

I wanted to delve into this quote from from the "Change" presentation. I agree with the statement whole-heartedly. Yes, there are simple answers to every problem, but do those simple answers necessarily create a solution? Or, do they continue to extend the problem? Many times we come across problems in our departments, or among staff that we think can be expunged by getting rid of the person or ignoring the signs of the problem. This can create a temporary solution, but nothing that lasts forever. I believe that this statement relates specifically to change. Yes, we can create and utilize a simple answer, however, it is necessary to continue to change the answer and solution in an ongoing fashion so that the the solution never again presents itself as a new problem...ok, maybe that didn't quite make sense, but straightforward thinking says that change is continuous, or problems will continue to present themselves again and again until we realize that solutions must continue to be reformatted in order to stay current with our students and their growing knowledge.

CEDu527 - Week TWO

How embarrassed am I that it took two weeks to get this blog completed. Guess it just goes to show what a busy LEADER I am at my school. Just kidding. But I do feel the more I take on, the more people expect me to take on. I have yet to use the word "no" when asked to do something in the past THREE years.

In terms of reading the text, I have become more and more interested in the smaller items that have been considered leadership points. I was thinking about it while I was taking notes the other day in our department meeting. Wow, didn't know I was being a leader in just jotting down what our department leader was saying. I guess that made me feel good, that I was able to take on that position and be the positive example for the group.

What's next in leadership?! Who knows. I cannot wait to get to that game in class though. I am sure that all my leadership knowledge will go right out the window...with the margaritas!!!