Hmm... I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of a blog, let alone how I'd use it in the classroom. However, I checked out some examples and I really like the idea of using it to help students understand the concept of reading a play. Students were told to create a blog as if they were writing from the character's point-of-view. This encouraged the understanding of character development. Later, the students added pictures of themselves in the play when it was performed. It was very creative.
I'm wondering if the same concept could be applied to reading a classroom novel. It might be fun to have the students pick a character in the book (or maybe have everyone use the main character) and blog as if they were that character. Then they could get connected with the characters as well as gain some blogging experience.
Hmm... I'm not sure. I'm still working on it.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Thing #2 - My Blog and Avatar Experience
I have absolutely no previous blog experience, including creating an online avatar. I'm a bit baffled by the avatar; I'm still trying to figure out its purpose. So far I'm just using my own name as the name of my blog. My professor said to keep my future class in mind; thus I've titled it "Miss Queener's 23 Things" instead of just plain old "Sheilah's 23 Things." My blog's name might change in the future if I'm inspired by something significant.
The creation process of the blog was fairly simple, although I'm very glad I had the help of my professor and fellow classmates. I created the avatar all on my own; I'm very proud that I was able to do so! I almost didn't notice that I could add hair and clothing to it, though, so that could've been a funny mistake. Since there's going to be an avatar on a blog that I'm writing, I suppose I wanted it to represent myself instead of someone different... and I do have hair and I usually wear clothing, so it's a good thing I noticed to add some to it!
The creation process of the blog was fairly simple, although I'm very glad I had the help of my professor and fellow classmates. I created the avatar all on my own; I'm very proud that I was able to do so! I almost didn't notice that I could add hair and clothing to it, though, so that could've been a funny mistake. Since there's going to be an avatar on a blog that I'm writing, I suppose I wanted it to represent myself instead of someone different... and I do have hair and I usually wear clothing, so it's a good thing I noticed to add some to it!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Thing #1 - Lifelong Learner
I love learning. When I was a little girl, I couldn't wait until my first day of school; now as a graduate student, that hasn't changed. I guess I've always associated the word "learning" with words like "exploration" and "discovery." Learning is always a big adventure. That's why I believe that the easiest lifelong learner habit for me is number one: begin with the end in mind. When I'm about to tackle a new project, or read a new book, I always like to conceptualize what I'm going to create or discover. I'm a planner, so beginning with the end in mind is almost a no-brainer for me.
However, the hardest lifelong learner habit for me is a combination of number four (having confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner) and number six (using technology to your advantage). I always begin with so much enthusiasm; but that usually starts to decline when I'm faced with something that makes me feel like I might mess up what I've worked so hard to accomplish in the first place. For some reason, starting over and "ruining" everything is a very daunting thought, and that usually happens when a computer is involved (or a copy/fax machine). I'm always afraid that I might push the wrong button, or delete something by accident, or not be able to pull up a document that I know I've saved (...or I thought I'd saved). Instead of treating the computer like an aid, I tend to ignore it because I don't have the confidence to give it a try.
I plan on changing that habit this semester. I'll use the easiest habit for me, beginning with the end in mind, to say: by the end of this semester, I will have the experience of navigating through different instructional technologies that can only help me grow as a teacher. Oh, and I can't possibly mess anything up. Messing up is just another way of learning something new. Even if I do have to start something over again, what's the harm in a fresh start?
However, the hardest lifelong learner habit for me is a combination of number four (having confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner) and number six (using technology to your advantage). I always begin with so much enthusiasm; but that usually starts to decline when I'm faced with something that makes me feel like I might mess up what I've worked so hard to accomplish in the first place. For some reason, starting over and "ruining" everything is a very daunting thought, and that usually happens when a computer is involved (or a copy/fax machine). I'm always afraid that I might push the wrong button, or delete something by accident, or not be able to pull up a document that I know I've saved (...or I thought I'd saved). Instead of treating the computer like an aid, I tend to ignore it because I don't have the confidence to give it a try.
I plan on changing that habit this semester. I'll use the easiest habit for me, beginning with the end in mind, to say: by the end of this semester, I will have the experience of navigating through different instructional technologies that can only help me grow as a teacher. Oh, and I can't possibly mess anything up. Messing up is just another way of learning something new. Even if I do have to start something over again, what's the harm in a fresh start?
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