Welcome to my blog!
I am not new to the world of blogging. I have had five over the last few years: two that my friends read frequently (on Myspace and Livejournal), one that serves as a diary for all teaching related things (cute anecdotes, frustrations from being a first year teacher, etc.), one that no one knows is me (on diaryland.com) and one that I started in high school that is now defunct. Diaryland is my favourite place for blogging. It's easy to use, especially for those who don't know computers well, but there is also a lot of freedom to explore things on your own as well. I've learned very useful HTML coding and the like from keeping that blog. However, I've never used blogger so I'm excited to see what this site has to offer.
As mentioned in my introduction to the class, I am a high school math teacher. I'm finishing up my M.Ed. in mathematics education. With all the ed courses I've taken, however, I've never had a real ed tech course. I did take one a few years ago that was supposed to be an introduction to educational technology, but the class was at a community college and most of the students were clueless when it came to computers. We literally had to go through things like how to turn the computer on and what a mouse is. It was an "easy 'A'" but completely useless to me. It seems like this course is going to be much, much better, given that we'll actually get to specialize in something.
Speaking of which, I suppose I should mention my topic of specialization. While I am very comfortable on computers and know how to do things like make PowerPoint presentations, edit simple photos and write basic HTML code, I do not how to integrate these things into the classroom. I also have no idea about the other options out there for teachers when it comes to technology. As such, I'm starting this "specialization" very broadly, just researching what types of things are available to high school math teachers. Once I get a good idea of those things, I will narrow my search a little more and pick something specific to focus on for the last few weeks (and for my paper.) Thanks to Dr. F. for letting me start broad so I get a chance to learn about all sorts of neat activities!
I also wanted to mention (though some may have already noticed) I never use names on my blogs. Too many strange people have access to the internet, and I don't want them tracking me (or anyone I write about) through one of my posts. Plus there's the fact that I have students who are very computer savvy. I won't post anything purposely inappropriate, but people misunderstand many things.. I don't want a student coming across anything I've written, only to use it against me. Hopefully those of you in my class will be able to figure out who I am based on my initials. If not, leave a comment and we'll go from there.
Hope you enjoy reading about this journey I'm about to take. Have a great semester!
3 comments:
If you have any questions or need help narrowing your topic, send me an email.
I will avoid using your name, but may I refer to you as "H?" As one who has quite a bit of experience blogging, I hope this site I am suggesting is not insulting:
http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html)
I found it to contain quite a bit of insight about blogs, from informative links to a neat statement that "we are being pummeled by a deluge of data and unless we create time and spaces in which to reflect, we will be left with only our reactions..." by the author, Rebecca Blood. Thus, I suppose, the importance of blogging!
When you read my blog (as we are grouped for class), you will see references to "webquests." If you have not used them, they are a very user-friendly means of integrating computer research and skills into virtually any subject. The following site has several math (9-12) webquests that may be of some interest:
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/matrix/9-12-Mat.htm
San Diego State University has many good webquests to offer. I have actually used a similar "buing your first car" webquest when I was teaching DCT classes and the kids loved them! Like anything, though, too much of them can become mundane. If you consider using them, I'd suggest surfing several sights and "testing" what looks interesting. Also, don't be surprised if one you liked one semester isn't available the next! I'll be adding some additional info to my blog...maybe it will help. I think we'll all get some good out of this class.
I'm with you on the anonymity thing! I have students right now that think they've found me on MySpace...The questions started off innocent enough, but it didn't take long to figure out what was going on. Right now I'm just concerned that these kids are actually starting to communicate with this individual that they think is me. I have nothing to do with MySpace, but who knows what these kids might be dealing with. It's a bit scary for little kids to have access to.
Anyway, it's nice to see that there are others out there that haven't full refined their search.
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