Myspace Page

My 25 year old daughter sat watching me shaking her head in disbelief that her mom was creating a myspace page. Looking over some of the pages that her friends had set up, I too felt that I was stepping out of my element. This is for young people, not me, I thought. I could be wrong, but I can't see myself visiting a myspace page beyond the conclusion of this class.
I was able to set the page up but not without a lot of dificulty however. I had a hard time trying to include background paper, pictures, and music. I eventually had to ask my daughter for some assisstance. She stopped laughing long enough to give me a hand. Now that my page is set up I am curious to see what comes next. Will I start new friendships or possibly rekindle old ones? Time will tell.

Vacation is finally here

I need this week off desperately. Please help me pray that it goes by ever so slowly...

Anime-Inspired FanFictions

This weeks readings once again referred to something altogether new to me, "Anime-inspired Fanfictions". I began reading the article and immediately asked myself "Just what are Fanfictions"? I shortly discovered that this is a form of writing where someone makes up a story or cartoon that is connected to Japanese animation. This form of writing gives students the opportunity to express their crativity through both a written and artistic means.
The girls highlighted in the article, Rhiannon and Eileen, referred to their fanfic writings as simply dreams or ideas that happened to pop into their heads. They considered these writings to be better pieces of literary works than those they produced in their formal class settings. I suppose this was because their level of interest was higher and they veiwed these writings as fun creative ways to keep themselves entertained.
I found it interesting that the girls often shared their writings with friends and family, but seldom with their teachers. I imagine they didn't feel that their teachers would have proper appreciation for their writings. It makes you wonder how often our students hold back things from us because of fear of ridicule.
I think that introducing Fanfiction to our students could be a catalyst to help peek interest in a new form of literary writing as well as improve upon existing literary skills.

I Get it Now!

I have a question. Did blogging just become popular since I signed up for the READ 600 course, or was it around all the time with me just tuning it out because I didn’t know what it was? I hear the term every day on television now. On the nightly news they always invite viewers to blog in their thoughts on various topics. Did they always do this??? Where was I?? Even after watching the American Idol show I noticed viewers blogging in their thoughts on who would win this season. Did they do that last season??? What about the season before? I’ve watched them all. Did I just miss that portion?
The other night I even heard someone refer to a podcast. Imagine how proud I was because I actually knew what they were talking about! I am now more determined than ever to cross over from being a “newcomer” to becoming an “insider”. I realize the importance of this on both a personally and professionally scale. I owe it not only to myself, but to the students I service as well!

Snow Day

Oh my God, I needed this snow day so bad! I spent the majority of the day in bed. I've been so tired lately and fighting a head cold for almost two weeks. This was a perfect opportunity to get some much needed rest.

"New Literacies" Chapters 1 and 2

If asked what it meant to be literate, I would have responded that it is having the ability to read and write. We learned how to do this in school in our reading and writing classes. Nowadays they are called Literacy classes and we have literacy teachers.
As I read the articles about the"new literacies", I now understand literacy to involve so much more than just reading and writing. Richard Lanham says that literacy means having the ability to understand information however it is presented. And as noted in the article we have all types of literacies, oral literacy, visual literacy, media literacy, as well as today's most popular literacy, digital literacy. Literacy is further seperated by what's referred to as conventional literacy and new literacy.

In light of my age I am considered a newcomer to the "new literacies". As a newcomer I lacked basic understanding of precisely what the Internet is and what all it could do for me.When told to infuse tecnology into my curriculum, I did not take full advantage of everything the internet had to offer. I was not literate in this area. I didn't realize just how much I didn't know, or how my ignorance was actually depriving my students from reaching greater heights.
My idea of infusing technology was to have my math students go to web sites that gave them practice problems that they could complete using their laptop. I understand now how this was just a fancier version of a worksheet. I also had them research mathematicians using the internet, but again they were simply using an online encyclopedia.

It is imperative that I catch up and learn as much as I can about the new technologies available to myself and my students. There's a saying "better late than never". I feel it is not too late for this newcomer to leave behind the mindset of a Web 1.0 and branch off to the mindset of a Web 2.0

He's Up for Adoption

I can no longer sleep through the entire night without a little assisstance. I grew tired of laying awake at night and starring at the ceiling, all while listening to my husband snore and sleep peacefully.This started about a year or two ago. My mom suggested I take a Tylenol PM in the evening. I didn't want to become dependent on any type of sleep aid, but I had to eventually give in.
This was working fine until I got a puppy. Now, my husband or I have to get up once or twice during the night to put him outside for a potty break. I'm starting to get used to this madness however. Everyone tells me it will get better as he gets older.

My husband is away at at a conference right now, so for the first time I have to deal with the puppy and his needs alone. I went to bed early (9:30) so I could get up and get an early start on my assignments. Lance didn't give me any problems about going into his crate for the evening. I think he wore himself out barking at the sound of each car he heard, thinking it might be my husband coming home. Anyway, Lance woke up about 12:30 a.m. I got up, went down stairs, and put him outside. When I brought him back inside and put him back in his crate, he barked continuously for about 45 minutes. Again, I think he was upset because he hadn't seen my husband. Tired and weiry, I gave in and let him out of his crate. Happily, he jumped up onto the foot of my bed and settled in for the night. I then popped another Tylenol PM. That's the last thing I remember until 7:30 a.m.

I panicked when I saw the time because my husband faithfully takes Lance out at 5 a.m. each morning. Lord knows I didn't want him to wake up and have another accident on my off white carpet (Lord why did I get a dog?) I scooped Lance up and ran him outside for his potty break. We made it in time.

I stayed up, fed Lance, and made myself some breakfast. I realized I was still very groggy though (probally from the 12:30 pill). I decided I needed a little more sleep and I would then start my classwork. The dog had been so good over night, I decided to leave him out of his crate once again and allow him to sleep at the foot of my bed while I napped. When I awakened for the second time, I found the little angel was sleeping peacefully. "Okay Lance, you probally have to go to potty" I said to him as I grabbed him. I don't let him walk downstairs because I don't want him to detour before I have a chance to get him outside.

When we got to the bottom of the steps I was stopped dead in my tracks. There were things everywhere from one end of my living room and dining room to the other. I couldn't believe my eyes. I saw a pair of chewed up shoes, one of my favorite plants torn to shreds, papers ripped to pieces, dirty laundry pulled from the laundry bag that I hadn't taken all the way to the basement, and dog toys everywhere. It was just one large mess!

Oh my God! This devildog must have gotten out of the bedroom while I was napping. This is it! I've had it. I could just hear my husband telling me it was my fault because I left the little pooch unattended though. I don't care. He has to go. Is there anyone out there that wants an adorable little Yorki ??? I can sneak him to you when my husband's not looking. Call me...

Bring on the new learnings Dr. D

Wow! A blog, a podcast, a discussion board. ..These things are all new to me. My, my, my, how classes in the 21st century have really changed. I am really glad I decided to face my fears head-on and tackle this class that would immerse me into this world of tecnology that I knew so little about. I don't regret it for one minute. I'm simply fascinated (and ready for more).

Week 2, February 3, 2007 Assignment

Week 2, February 3, 2007 Assignment
Response to Articles

Zero to Six
This article documents the usage of television and other forms of media in children’s lives and an informal comparison on the impact of the child’s life educationally. While no cause relationship can be determined, this article eminates with the thoughts that as the amount of television and entertainment media rises, the impact on educational activities and development such as reading can potentially be negatively impacted, excluding outside factors.
It has long been felt that television and games can negatively impact the educational growth of students. It is important as educators to partner with parents and caregivers to express the importance of quality time in the home and stress the need for educational activities that will foster and stimulate growth of the mind beyond the subjection of television
I personally believe that having access to too much and too many forms of media can be harmful. As children spend less time socializing and interacting with others, and more and more time in isolation in front of a television screen, playing a video game, or punching keys on a computer I feel they run the risk of not reaching their full potential.

What Next? Toddler Netizens
The second article “What Next? Toddler Netizens” discusses the transition in learning styles with the introduction of technology in an entertainment and educational facet. Due to the advances of technology over the years educators have found new ways to creatively introduce technology in the classroom. Teachers have been advised however to review the quality of educational technological tools (i.e. CD ROMs, videos, games) to ensure that they provide students an intellectually challenging stimulation, not just a game for entertainment purposes or mere time fillers. The article also exposes the challenges within modern day educational technology, sharing that many lack cultural diversity and may play upon stereotypical gender roles.
As Information Technology evolves with each new generation, it is important that we stay abreast of current trends, exposing our students to as many technological resources as possible that will aid in academic stimulation and address their various learning styles.

Children Online: Learning in a Virtual Community of Practice
The final article “Children Online: Learning in a Virtual Community of Practice” reveals the learning styles of children as it relates to a similar interest community. Author Angela Thomas demonstrates how an online community created by children, foster learning through role-play, trial & error, as well as social interactions. Ms. Thomas also demonstrates how children, when given the opportunity to expand their knowledge without adult or expert intervention, grow to learn through their interaction with other children, as well as through their cognitive senses. Although the children may view this as simply having fun, online communities allow children their imagination and communication skills.
As an educator I feel this article confirms the need to have stronger student-to-student interactions and peer tutoring in the classroom. This may prove more beneficial to the child’s growth and development. I am aware that children learn best when a variety of different methods and strategies are employed. It is my belief that children can develop a strong will to learn when said learning is paired with fun, interactive, and social activities.

Things have really changed!

I know I am among the oldest in our Read 600 class, if not the oldest. I am not complaining. I am proud of each of my years. I simply mention this because there are things I will remember from my youth that will seem foreign to some. For example, I can remember watching Black and White television as a young child. It was really a big deal to everyone when programs began to be aired in color. Wow! We had one television in the living room for the entire family, as did most of my friends. Today I have four televions in my home. Television antennas were attached outside to the roof of homes. Then we evolved to rabbit ears inside the home. Today we rely on cable and satellite dishes to transmit signals for our reception. As a youngster, I had just 7 local stations to watch. Imagine! We now have hundreds of regional stations around the world.
We listened to AM radio; don’t think there was FM at that point. We had Record players that played both albums and single 45’s. Again, it was a big deal when 8 track tapes held all our music. We no longer had to worry about stepping on our favorite album and breaking it. It would have been hard for me to imagine a CD that held 22 different songs.
Tape recorders back in the day were reel to reel; unlike the miniature compact digital ones of today that record on microchip. I think word processing on laptop computers with spell check would have been great as well if available to me as a student. Instead we were stuck with large bulky typewriters that needed ink ribbons changed frequently and white out for spelling errors. When we visited the library to get books for reading pleasure, or to get help with schoolwork, we used card catalogs to locate what we needed. Once again the beauty of technology makes this obsolete.

In the supermarket and department stores our bills were tallied on large adding machines. At that time it was actually necessary for cashiers to be good at math, ready to calculate the correct percentage off and compute the necessary change to return to customers. Often they had to rely on their use of mental math. Fancy computer registers of today seem to do everything for you with just the click of a button. God help the cashiers if the system goes down. By the way, we didn’t have Mega malls back then either.
And who knew that I would be able to take a picture of my new puppy and show it to my sister-in-law living in Oklahoma within the hour? Years ago when we took pictures with the family camera, we had to put them in the shop for developing and had to wait at least a week for them to be returned. Today I get impatient if I double click and the image doesn’t appear on the computer screen fast enough. Imagine!
Finally for years we used tabletop rotary telephones with party lines that serviced up to 3 or 4 homes. If someone told me then that I would be riding in my car talking on a thing called a cell phone I probably would have had him or her committed.
Technology and media has come a long way with many changes that have yet to come. I’m sure I will marvel at the world my grandchildren will be raised in.

Thank-you

Thanks for reaching out Michelle. I appreciate your efforts to help me. I'm a wreck at this point. I called the tech dept and they told me I may not be in the system yet. Am I the only one experiencing this problem? Is it because of something I did (or didn't do)? Why must things be so difficult!

Heeelp!

What a headache I have right now. I have tried everything I can think of to access the Blackboard site but I am still unable to get in. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong. I keep receiving a log-in error message. Can anyone help??????????????

I can't believe she's laid off

I got a phone call at work today from my 25 year old daughter. She was extremely upset. Through tears she told me she had been laid off today from Johnson & Johnson. She was given 60 days notice. She became an intern for J & J after her freshman year in college. She was hired full time immeadiately after her graduation 4 years ago, making a really decent salary. She purchased a townhome at age 23. Like many young people she lived paycheck to paycheck, shopping, vacationing, and enjoying life for the moment (no rainy day fund)! Needless to say she's nervous and I'm very nervous for her.
Her department had been warned that layoffs were coming and to expect them in November. I think she may have been lulled into a false sense of security when November, December, and January came and went.
Fortunately she took some actions towards a Plan B. She signed up for the elementary school and middle school math Praxis exam so that she could prepare to change professions. She said she had tired of "Coporate America" and now wanted to come into teaching through the Alternate Route Program. Fortunately she passed both tests and can now send away for her certificate of eligibility.
I think she'll make a great teacher. I tried to convince her to minor in education when she was in college. She had been surrounded by teachers growing up (myself, her father, my sister, my brother, his wife, and another aunt) and therefore wanted no part of education at that time. Like a good mom I butted out and allowed her to find her own way. I look forward to one day soon welcoming her into the profession. Lord knows I have plenty of things to pass on to her. I'm really, really excited about the future, although getting through the next couple of months may not be a picnic. When there's a will there's a way however...