Comments for Townie61778's Weblog

Comment on Education and Technology: The possibilities by Stephen Ransom

Stephen Ransom — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:32:51 +0000

Great attitude, Charlie. I am so appreciative that you realize the potential of these new tools… but even more importantly, the potential of an effective and excellent teacher who can learn about and use new tools and learning innovations. Without a professional attitude and a desire for lifelong learning in one’s profession, things become old and stale rather quickly. But, you can be that cool teacher that uses interesting and exciting learning tools and opportunities and at the same time be that excellent teacher that makes huge impacts you his students. Actually, can you really have one without the other?

Comment on blogging: who, what ,when, where, why and how? by Stephen Ransom

Stephen Ransom — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:26:45 +0000

It is totally normal and expected that the mere fact that this blog was a course requirement may squelch some of the personal motivation and satisfaction that can result from blogging. But, it is really the only way to cause you to experience this form of communication and collaboration in depth. I would encourage you to continue your blog… but now make it your own… whatever it is that you are passionate about. Then, you can think about educational applications when you are ready. Blog for yourself first. Make connections with other like-minded bloggers. Experience the benefit of being part of a learning community. I think then you will have a brand new experience and perspective.

Comment on Teacher vs. ??? by chinchilla1511

chinchilla1511 — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:14:13 +0000

The only thing that should comfort you in these thoughts is that i’m pretty sure every teacher feels (or felt?) that way; myself included. First year teachers are so overwhelmed, especially when they have their own classroom, with what needs to be done. There are so many choices to make when building your classroom and your own personal teaching style. One little change could alter your entire approach (not to scare you even more). My hope (or fear?) is that I won’t get caught up in the confusion.

Comment on Teacher vs. ??? by Mike Van Der Woude

Mike Van Der Woude — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:06:08 +0000

Charlie I know you and you have seen and dealt with worse in your career as a case manager for the county. Think of all the hats you had to war in that job and how successfull you were. In a school remember to reach out to others and ask for help and guidance. If parents do not show up then so be it we cannot save the world. I know it is harsh to say but reality is you try, you try, yoou move on and save the ones that are giving back. The fact that you are even writing about this shows that someday children will be lucky to hhave you as a teacher.

Comment on Teacher vs. ??? by Stephen Ransom

Stephen Ransom — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:34:08 +0000

Charlie, research would support your fears, sadly. Too many teachers revert back to the type of teaching that they remember when they were in school. It is the most comfortable. However, teachers who really care and retain a professional mindset do not let that dictate their future. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who can act as resources and sounding boards for you, whether physical or virtual. As you begin to dabble in virtual professional learning networks, you may find that they have more to offer, as you can access them any time rather than only when in your building. You also have a greater professional pool on which to draw.

The first few years are overwhelming. Don’t try to implement every strategy and every learning technology that you have ever learned about. Take small steps and build on those successes.

Just never be satisfied with average. Don’t allow complacency and workplace bitterness dictate the teacher you become. Great teachers rise above all of the “crap” and continue to be professionals… for their students.

Comment on Education: Why reactive not proactive? by Stephen Ransom

Stephen Ransom — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:22:56 +0000

For sure there certainly is an expense of not educating students to the fullest potential.
@Nicole, I think it is very true that students need to cultivate the skill of active listening. And there is also the facet of “listening” through reading, both in the traditional sense as well as the web 2.0 sense.

Comment on Education: Why reactive not proactive? by nureles

nureles — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:37:11 +0000

I really like your identification that we have to somehow find a way to motivate individuals to “want” to make connections. I know that it is a battle of how to get society – both individuals and government- to invest more in education than in subsidies and the criminal justice system. It’s kind of like the idea of a peace circle. In that peace circle we are all learning, but everyone has to have the ability to listen to the speaker. Perhaps one of our first jobs as teachers is to teach our students to listen. Our students will grow up to be participants in society, and maybe they will realize that the simple skill of listening to what needs to be change will make them be pro-active instead of re-active.

Comment on Easter break and more confusion by Mike Van Der Woude

Mike Van Der Woude — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:47:45 +0000

Charlie- I too was struggling to find articles for this paper and one for my Literacy class. Then I remembered a service offered by Naz that i learned about in undergrad. You can go to the reference desk in the library and fill out a search form with your topic. The librarian will then research your topic and in 24-48 hour give you an extensive list of possible articles to use. The service is free but you will have to get out of your car in the parking lot .

Comment on Easter break and more confusion by Stephen Ransom

Stephen Ransom — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:58:48 +0000

@Charlie – This research paper may be more difficult than in other content areas, as our library does not have many educational technology journal holdings. Hence the need for early research and time to inter-library loan those articles of interest. The other option is to go to U of R and see what they have. These are the two fallback methods that have always been used in the past. I think a danger here is thinking that we no longer need to use them because of the Internet. And you are finding that perhaps this is not true. Authoritative, refereed information is still largely protected behind subscription and membership. And, with our small library with limited subscription across many disciplines, we still need to fall back on the traditional means of research…. a lot of legwork and digging.

Comment on Easter break and more confusion by Peter Schultheis

Peter Schultheis — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:49:53 +0000

I know exactly how you feel. This semester more than any other. I’m only taking two classes, but with 1-week break, two times just doesn’t seem like I’m accomplishing anything. Along with those two weeks off, in my other class, our teacher has been sick twice and was forced to cancell class. Added on to all of this, the excitement of our first child, a surprise 30th birthday party for my wife (which I had been planning for over two months), and some problems at work have will make the past few months NOT missed at all.

The way I look at it…. is: this semester is almost over. Let’s all get there quickly and safely — together.
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