Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Week 6: Halfway There!

Well, we're at the halfway point. How is it going? For this week's assignment, I'm asking you to do three things:

1. Provide a little bit of information about your experience so far by answering these questions:

2. Revisit the previous two blog posts (find access to the archived posts in the lower right corner hand of this page), and read through folks' comments. Find at least one thing to comment on and "reply" to that comment by clicking "reply" and leaving an insight, answer, or suggestion to that comment. One of the benefits of blogging is the conversation it allows for. Imagine if we had done this class via email. I could have sent you each week's post in an email and you could have responded to me with a reply to that email. However, notice how much richer it is to see and respond to each other's thinking using the blog instead.

3. Leave a comment to this post with your "mid-term" reflection. Anything you want to share is fine, but here a few questions you might want to consider: How is this set up working for you? How does learning this way stack up next to more traditional ways of learning? Have you learned anything about the way you learn that might impact how you teach? Any suggestions for the second half of the class? Remember--commenting on someone else's post counts.


Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bybri/2604493952/
Posted by Kimberly Allison at 7:55 AM

Comments (39)

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Amy Cassady's avatar - Go to profile

Amy Cassady · 786 weeks ago

I really like the format of this class. It's been great to be able to read the post, check out the assignment and do the homework/post/comment. I think that for me, I need a little extra time for processing and sometimes when you "take a class" you are on the intstructor's time schedule and don't get the extra processing time that you need.

I've enjoyed checking out the sites that have been recommended and have even used them in my work with kids. I've even started two class writing blogs for my two writing classes. My homeroom students have been more of the risk taking types and wanting to post more than my other group of students. I have the two sites posted on my swift page so that there is easy access for kids and family to see the authentic writing of the students.
3 replies · active 786 weeks ago
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Samantha's avatar

Samantha · 786 weeks ago

I have enjoyed this learning and the format. I am able to read the assignment first when it comes to me and think about it for a few days before I post my comment. I like getting all the information and places to go to check out. The speed is helpful for my learning and the think time is great for my way of thinking!
1 reply · active 785 weeks ago
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denise strom's avatar

denise strom · 786 weeks ago

I really appreciate the format of this class. Like everyone else, life is always so busy, that it is nice to have the opportunity to get to these assignments when it fits into my schedule. I like the chance to explore the sites at my leisure and choose the ones that I can flag for later use. Thank you for the flexibility!
3 replies · active 786 weeks ago
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mark lange's avatar

mark lange · 786 weeks ago

The set up for the class is great. It’s easy to submit comments and navigate through the information. I enjoy learning in this fashion greatly.
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Tina McDaniel's avatar

Tina McDaniel · 786 weeks ago

I enjoy the RSS application for this blog class. I have also really the website John Spencer: Musings from a Not so Master Teacher. I actually have his blog on my RSS feeds and have found some very insightful "musings" from his posts.

I have also enjoyed that I have truly found this class useful. Last week's information was great and I bookmarked the site because of the wonderful links.

The effort required is minimal and learning is great :)
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Renae Hanson's avatar

Renae Hanson · 786 weeks ago

I wish all classes offered were like this one! Love it that we can do our assignments when it works for us. Love it that we can work from the comfort of our own home. AND I love it that we get reminders from our efficient instructors when we have procrastinated too long. Thanks!
The content has been relevant and interesting. I have to be honest and say that I haven't spent nearly the amount of time necessary to explore all of these great sites - but I'm glad to have discovered them and one of these days, I will go back to the bookmarks, right???
4 replies · active 786 weeks ago
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Kim Schmitz's avatar - Go to profile

Kim Schmitz · 786 weeks ago

I am getting a lot out of this class and it is something that I can do after my kids are in bed. I sometimes wish I could take more time to search through the sites that you recommend.....maybe after my report cards are done. :) I have also used some of the things from this class for my own class. I hope this will be offered again. And......just for the record....I am pretty excited that I am done with this and it is not Sunday night. :)
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Corrie Blechschmidt's avatar

Corrie Blechschmidt · 786 weeks ago

I am enjoying this class and the how it opens my eyes to endless possibilties. I like that we are able to do our classwork whenever it is convenient for us, and I especially like reading everyone's posts. I think I am going to check-out Amy's website and see how her blogging looks, that is a very intriguing idea! I too have bookmarked a lot of great resources and someday will revisit them.
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Molly Klemkow's avatar

Molly Klemkow · 786 weeks ago

I really like the format. Sometime I think there is too much information on the front page that comes up. I feel a little overwhelmed. Does that make sense? I really like that I can look though other peoples comments and compare to my thinking...I am struggling with finding out how to incorporate some of it into my preschool classroom.
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debbieo's avatar

debbieo · 786 weeks ago

OK - taking a break from progress reports. 1. Survey -Check 2. Reply - Check
3. Comment: This class has forced me to spend more exploring internet/technology/web based information to support my teaching. I do love the format in the sense that I can do it from the comfort of my own home at any time, but it would be nice to meet once or twice for demonstrations or answering questions. I still haven't been able to figure out the RSS feed - have tried a couple of times, but get your emails so hope I'm not missing anything. I did subscribe to comments, so maybe I'll get more than I want now!
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debbieo's avatar

debbieo · 786 weeks ago

I do spend the first part of my time reading everyone's comments before I post. It gives me a good preview of what to look at or not waste my time on. If it's not posted before I post, I usually don't see it. My students are already using some of the links I've found, so I hope to continue getting recommendations of things to use. Guess I better sign up for the summer conference to figure out how to make an RSS feed work and lots of other things! I would love a Skyward class for new people to the district to set up our webpages if you don't already have that planned. Thanks!
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Diane's avatar

Diane · 786 weeks ago

I've always enjoyed online classes. The flexibility they offer is so helpful for me. I often find myself posting late at night. If I had to attend a traditional class, and it was late at night, I would never do it, so this format makes it do-able for me.
I also like reading what other teachers have written. Looking at technology with the idea of incorporating it into our teaching, gives us a common goal. I love to hear how others use technology with students because I would like to be better at it in my teaching.
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Evelyn's avatar

Evelyn · 785 weeks ago

I was a bit overwhelmed one week and thought I hadn't done my homework. Wasted 45 minutes before I finally thought to check through the posts and I was done already!! I enjoy the freedom of looking at the assignment on day 1, thinking, reading others' comments, exploring new websites, and trying to apply what I've learned to my current position. Honestly, as a part time reading teacher I haven't been able to apply too much this year. However, I've directed my thinking more toward my lst grade position which I hope to return to next year. I love the resources, and hope this class blog and assignments will still be available in the summer so I can go back and revisit. Is that your plan, Kimberly??
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Tenaya Williams's avatar

Tenaya Williams · 785 weeks ago

I have found the class to be helpful because it has guided me to some great resources that I might not have otherwise come across. I am reminded that people, who use technology well, are compelled to spend time on the web looking for the next site or tool. That it is within their interest and surfing the web might be considered recreation to them. This class has clarified for me that technology is like any other discipline, and if I want to be a teacher that imbeds technology into my craft, I’m going to have to work for it. That may mean taking a series of classes, or reading a book, but at the very least it means that I should make it my business to set aside a block of time each week to get on the web and look around.
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OR……..you can find great sites that align with our curriculum and post them on SharePoint… S-M-I-L-E
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Teresa Eccles's avatar

Teresa Eccles · 785 weeks ago

I really enjoy this type of format for learning and I believe that many district learning objectives for teachers could be carried out this way. I think teachers need to be able to do things at a pace and time that works with their own schedule because so many of our schedules are different. I also think that less time would be spent out of class if we could do more of our trainings via video, online discussion and/or any other fantastically techie way.
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Rosemary 's avatar

Rosemary · 785 weeks ago

I have really enjoyed, been frustrated, and learned alot from this on line way to learn. It has forced me to go outside my comfort zone and try some new things. I want to do so many more things, but am finding it difficult to balance the academic and emotional needs of my students with the increasing need for them to be tech savy and its increased importance. I have loved learning what other teachers find interesting and often go back and relook at what they posted for ideas. Sometimes the things that I found interesting and put on my swift site a year ago are now outdated. This format keeps us on our toes.
1 reply · active 785 weeks ago
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Callie G's avatar

Callie G · 785 weeks ago

I love the small bites and the pace. I usually do this assignment on Sunday evenings so many others have already commented and I usually (but not this week) read all the comments (and sometimes comment on those comments) before I post. I always mean to go back and read any replies, but usually forget and the next week focus on the new one and don't go back.
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Kari Weed's avatar

Kari Weed · 785 weeks ago

I am enjoying the format of this class. I enjoy reading other people posts. It helps me to think of additional ways to use the sites and it is developing my online resource.
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Beth Belmondo's avatar

Beth Belmondo · 785 weeks ago

I like the format and timing of this class. It is nice to be able to check out the post and comments on my own schedule before being asking to comment myself.
I enjoy the resources that are being given, and like to hear other educators thoughts on those resources too - reading the comments gives me a free review before I try it myself and in the classroom. I appreciate that.
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Wendy W's avatar

Wendy W · 785 weeks ago

I hate to be the downer, but so far I haven't found anything applicable to my teaching situation that I would use with students. I do like the format of this class, but feel a bit irritated that I've wasted a lot of time exploring things that haven't been helpful to me. I know the bulk of teachers are in a classroom setting, so this is obviously helpful to the majority of people, however, I'm finding I don't fit this mold anymore and I'm not sure I want to continue spending time on things I can't apply.
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Suz Chen's avatar

Suz Chen · 785 weeks ago

So far I've really enjoyed my experiences with this elementary blog. I've definitely felt inspired to start my own blog - though not necessarily connected with my school. This format is really flexible and enables me to have access no matter where I am (so long as there is internet of course!). No need to spend money on gas! :)

I don't know why, but I still find it hard to remember on my own to post. It really helps to get the email reminders!
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Jessica Cooper's avatar

Jessica Cooper · 785 weeks ago

I have found that I really like learning through this format. I am currently completing my master's degree online and part of my assignments each week is to participate in an online discussion about a specific topic. I have found that working in front of a computer gives me time to gather my thoughts and concentrate better than if I were to sit in a classroom for a few hours at a time. This way I can take breaks when I need to and still have the benefits of hearing (or reading) everyone else's throughts and comments. I also like the visual format of some of the websites and I have been using some of them in my teaching about astronomy. Videos and pictures seem to really help students visualize these more abstract ideas than if I were to try to explain them to my class.
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Melissa Morlock's avatar

Melissa Morlock · 785 weeks ago

Well...I am a bit late today in posting. I would say the most difficult thing with this style of learning for me is that it often falls to the end of the to-do list. I do enjoy doing the work on my own time and being able to read through other's comments. As a TTTL it helps to look through and see where other learners are coming from and where I might be able to help. Most of the resources that we have used so far I have already known about. It has been helpful for me to learn about adding threaded-like discussions. Thank you for this opportunity.
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Mona Best's avatar

Mona Best · 785 weeks ago

Hi!
I've really appreciated the opportunity to learn about technology since it's too easy for me to 'just get by' for now. At times, it is a challenging format only because it can feel like one more thing to do. And, on the other hand, if it wasn't for this format, I wouldn't be stepping out at all due to the demands of work and life in general. So, I've learned a lot and stepped into this arena that can intimidate me at times. Thanks for making it possible:)
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Kimberly's avatar

Kimberly · 785 weeks ago

I originally posted a reply but noticed I also needed to post a post, :), so here it is. I enjoy the on-line class, love the flexibility, the ability to complete my assignments at home or work on my own time and reading the other comments from peers is great. I would definitely sign up for another class using this format. I would love to have a list of all of the web sites that we've visited. I've booked marked a couple, but a central list would be great.

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