Course coming to an end.....

Now that this course is coming to an end, there is a sigh of relief. This has actually been my first REAL online course and I felt that I have learned so much since the beginning. Situations such as working on my own, pacing my work based on my work schedule, things going on in my personal life and how much I already know about a subject and giving my self enough time to research and find information..prioritizing and organizing.

I also accomplished how to work on teams, and with team mates that are much more informed than myself. I am used to working with other indivualls and giving my input and my prior knowledge into play. However, I felt that I was learning from others and listening, which was still beneficial. At first I was uncomfortable about my environment, but I see it more as myself growing.

I am now working on my research paper and getting things done. There is a sigh like I mentioned earlier, but glad I had a challenge there as well for me.

Things are well....

I am not feeling overwhelmed as much as before. I have some of my big lesson done, and things are coming together. I am starting the research project due...and focusing my attention towards that.

The "Odd" Ball.....

Well, I am having a great experience with my team so far. However, I feel that I am the odd ball of the team. Being said, everyone on my team has had more than 3 years teaching experience, know a little bit more in the education field than I do, and are a bit older. I don't have a problem with this at all, however, it makes it difficult to "input" on suggestions because I only have 2 years experience as a teacher.

They understand my situation and always allow me to make suggestions. However, I know that self is the key to personal growth and development.

Communication

Right now our group got done with our meeting. Our communication within the group is great. Whenever there are questions, they get answered. Whenever there is a comment, people listen and return with their opinion.

We are currently working on our concept maps. From the syllabus, there were misinterpretations about the assignment. As a group, we were able to collaborate and discuss questions, problems, etc. This is especially nice, because at work, working with my team is hectic at times....

As for assignments, things are going smoothly. Not as much tension in the beginning, and I feel more in tuned with whats going on.

Got Done with Data....on to the next task.

I just finished my data analysis on my spread sheet. Looking at my data, I see that this particular school needs help with Reading. I am thinking ahead of what kind of lesson plan I would right for a 7th grade to help increase thjeir scores, but nothing comes to mind. I am going to be doing some research this weekend to see what I can find.

Excel assignment

Things for this class have been coming along smoothly. When I had to do the Excel assignment, I had completely forgot how to use the program. I used it throughout college and high school...but then drew a blank. It was nice to have another assignment refresh this program to me. I played around with the software and the graphing part to make my graphs a little more exciting and engaging.Now I am trying to find a way of integrating it into my classroom, remembering that its only kindergarten.

I GOT IN!

I finally got in to Elluminate! I was so excted about that! I got to communicate with one of my group members and we discussed our progess with our project. I sill need to purchase a mic, but am glad to have itworking on my computer.

Catching up...yes these are positive words

Ok, I am caught up with my work. I felt behind, although I was following the calendar and syllabus. So far, I feel like I have accomplished alot so far and learned so much more. I am very proud of my self that I can be involved and multi task with everything going on...going back to school is defintely hard to get back into the routine....

I have gotten ahead an work so I can purposely take the time to do my assignments and and think though the assignments. The research and information I have read and made me so much more open mided about education. We are taught this is the right and only way to do things...but now, I have second opinions about everything....from classroom management, learning theories, and to assessments.

This class is an advantage

At my school, we have a technology committee. I am currently a part of the committee, and since I am aware of building web pages, Bob wants to utilize me because of my knowlede. So our plan is to create a webapge for each grade level in correlation to our reading program. During this fall break, I will be taking the knowledge that I've learned and also applying it to my job....which is indeed benefical.

Just some thoughts.....

This week coming up is fall break. During this week I've had parent teacher conferences, and also more time to do some more work. I am happy that I have gotten a chance to "catch up" on things.

So far my accomplishments in this course have been, being able to set up a website, create a link on the website, and learning more about concept mapping/Mindtools. Its a very arguable subject. There are the positiives to Mindtools, and then the negtaives, leaving no reaserch or factual information to stem from.

I am prety logical, so for the msot part I can read something, decide on my own thinking, can this be true, and then be the judge to determine so. However, I am fseeing how my conceptual change about things tend to be growing...in all aspects that we've been reading and researching so far this semester.

Yes! I am learning

Everyday we learn something new. I am so happy I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Technology! I currently learned how to put together a web page....which I am so proud of! I feel that this course has me learning so many things at once, not only using technology and learning from it, but also revisiting some learning theories, and finally dissecting them to a point where I understand them completely.

I am eager and excited because I feel that this course not only challenges my knowledge, but also makes me "stop and think through things." I am so used to being in a classroom situation where its "I say, you say, I do, you do." enviornment. Lately, I've felt that I've had to research myself, how to put together things, and have been successful!

Just Venting a Bit.....

Taking a class online has opened up a new view about myself, and about in general, taking internet classes...you need to be organized and have a routine established!

I am a very organized teacher. I am also involved as well on my campus. I am on career ladder this year, a part of the Technology Committee and don't forget taking Masters classes online through N.A.U. However, trying to organize and prioritize is still all over the place! Especially if recently, your computer happens to suddenly start freezing because of a virus that has been in the C drive for so long........

My reputatation at my school is known to be knowledgeable, successful, and reliable. Lately though, there has been different occurances and all these meetings to attend to, thats hard to create a routine, which is what I am used to.

(Taking a deep breath) I know I will get through this successfully, and I have to establish some routine because another class is starting up soon.......in mid October.....

Give me a week. I think things will be "Established."