Thing #3

50 Must-see Teacher Blogs offered a variety of informative ideas shared by other teachers.  The information, tutorials, worksheets, slide shows and other resources will be priceless for any teacher.  An important part of being a teacher is research and staying connected to current situations.  Educational blogs offer a way for teachers to do both.  

            

            Social media is a great tool for a teacher to plan for their student’s success.  I plan to teach 3^rd grade and  see the benefit of blogs in the classroom.  The students will have an avenue to examine and elaborate on the subject they are learning.  They also have an opportunity to learn of cultures around the world.  The parents will have an easy way to stay connected to their child and teacher.  They will always be informed on what is being taught in the classroom.  Blogs and other 2.0 tools will greatly influence how I teach and the students learn.

Thing #2

I’ll be completely honest; I have never read a blog before this week.  They are completely foreign to me. This led me to do a Google search.  Blogs are everywhere about everything!  Their purpose is to allow a public journal where one can reflect and share on their personal successes and failures.  This also can be a site to read reviews on movies, games, toys, and etc.  Blogs also allow you to receive feedback from other who may offer insight on you post.  After finding out all of this information, I am really excited to start my own journey of creating a blog.  This is another opportunity for me to learn something new and useful to my trade.

Choosing the name for my blog was easy.  I stuck with something simple and familiar.  My name!  I decided to use my name because it allows me to be 100% true to my post.  I want what I say to reflect who I am not a fictional character that I made up.  Once my name what chosen then I began to set up my blog.  After getting over the initial nerves, it was easy to set up the blog.  The direction to create a blog was very well laid out.  It was easy because of the user-friendly directions!  The next step was to create an avatar.  This step was full of fun.  I played around with some of the choices and created some fun characters.  In the end I chose one that looked more like myself.  I wanted an avatar to represent who I am.  My avatar has long hair, glasses and looks like she is ready to learn!

Thing #1

              As educators it is our goal to create life long learners in our students. To understand this powerful responsibility we must already be a life long learner.  The 7 ½ Habits offer and interpretation of what it takes to be a successful learner.  I found each of theses habits an important step. Becoming and successful learner would require one to have a balance of each one. I contemplated them all and tried to find which one is easiest.  Habit 7 is the easiest for me.  Teaching and mentoring has always been a part of who I am.  I love to teach and mentor.   This habit is easy for me because I relate to my students and search for a connection that will allow the students to experience success. The intrinsic reward for the time spend on each student will last a lifetime.

 I was surprised to see Habit 4.  Confidence in learning is not a trait that I thought would be in the Habits. Even though I am a strong believer that if you have confidence and try your best you will be successful at anything you do.  With that being said I did not appreciate the importance of this habit in life long learning.  Personally, having confidence is easier said than done. I often find myself questioning my choices and being nervous no matter how well prepared I am.  The 7 ½ Habits have opened my eyes and prompted me to set a new goal.  I will relax and believe that I am a confident life long learner.  I can do this!

Technology has become an essential part of our lives.  During the first day of class everyone talked about what technology they could not live without.  It is clear that we all have become accustom to the ability to stay connected.  The change in technology and 2.0 tools has made instant connect ability possible .  It has also changed the way we use the web. We are no longer passive searchers of the web. With the use of 2.0 tools, we are active contributors of interactive resources.  We have become reliant on these tools to live, learn, and teach.  

Recently I was asked to create a blog.  Even though I am somewhat tech savvy, I experienced feelings of anxiety.  I had no idea what the expectations were going to be.  My fears began to disappear as I began to follow the process.  This has been a fun experience.  The knowledge I have gained playing with 2.O tools will help me be better prepared as a teacher and a learner.  I am looking forward to the next step in the journey of the 2.0 World!