February 10 Lecture

I found Tuesday's lecture one of the most interesting we have had thus far. The problems we face as modern educators are much different than those that were faced by teachers of previous generations. Internet has changed everything. The Internet is an invaluable resource for classroom research but there is definitely a more sinister side to it for those who seek it out.

Back From The Dead

It has been some time since I have posted. I am finally learning to function in the sleep deprived state that accompanies having a newborn in the house. Miller Gregory Gerwing was born on Tuesday Feb. 3rd at 9:00 am. He was 9 lbs and 2 oz and is a beautiful, healthy baby boy. We also have a jealous big brother, Dawson, at home. He is two and a half. I have been finding it hard to concentrate on school work, but the more sleep I get the more motivated I am becoming. One thing I have appreciated during this time is Facebook. It is amazing how many people wished us well during this time. It was also cool to be able to post pictures and have everyone see the new addition to our family. E-mail was another way people extended their well wishes. I really felt connected to my extended on-line community.

January 27 Lecture

Last night's lecture was more my speed. I find Dr. Couros easier to understand than the speaker who lectured last week. I did find the amount of information provided was a bit overwhelming. In regard to technology I really do feel like the spoiled child at Christmas who has received a truckload of gifts. It is hard to really appreciate everything or even know where to start. I was particularly interested in the photo programs Dr. Couros mentioned because I am obsessed with taking photos of my kids. I am interested in trying out Picnik. I really do value the social networking aspects of technology. I am a Facebook addict and love how easy it is to keep up with the lives of friends and family by using this tool.

My Adventures in Technology

I am quite impressed with myself for making a video using a webcam, making it into a video on Movie Maker, and then downloading it onto YouTube. It is amazing what I am now capable of doing. I had a really hard time getting a decent video on my webcam. The lighting was terrible and the image staring back at me is the scariest version of myself I have ever seen. I had a little trouble with Movie Maker but I found YouTube to be really user friendly. Seeing my video on YouTube would have been more satisfying if I did not look like I had a mental affliction. I did not know I could look that ridiculous. I hope that very few people ever view it. Here is the link to my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imSLycMmbWo .

My Adventures in Technology

I have successfully subscribed to Google Reader and am fairly impressed with it thus far. It is an efficient way to keep up with the blogs of others. I have posted comments on a few pages and hopefully they have all recorded. I am sure the ones I left on blogspot did but am not as familiar with the workings of wordpress. I am still procrastinating on the YouTube video. I am quite vain and being nine months pregnant with a nose that looks like it belongs to Rudolph (I have a cold) is not inspiring me to get behind a camera and post my video on an international site.

January 20 Lecture

I agree that technology is an amazing tool that can connect citizens of the world. To think that I am participating in an on-line course is something that I would have thought impossible ten years ago. I did enjoy the lecture but found some of it hard to follow. I do not speak techie and when people start using techno lingo I am often left in the dark. Hopefully this course helps me understand some of those basic terms that those who are more computer savvy than myself so casually throw around.

My Adventures in Technology

As I may have mentioned before I am a techno-novice so starting the introductory activity has been a challenge. Thank goodness for the tutorial video. After watching it 5 times I was able to complete most of the task. Now I have enough wiki skill that I can teach my husband, and fellow classmate, how to complete the activity. Knowing more about technology than someone else is a new feeling for me and quite empowering. I am now ready to tackle embedding my video on YouTube.

***All of my entries titled "My Adventures in Technology" are where I documented how I developed personal learning environments and networks during this course.***