This last Learning unit that I completed pushed me outside of my comfort zone for sure. I've never used survey monkey and I don't really like to ask too much of my colleagues. Also, I wasn't sure I wanted to put a calendar out there for everyone to see either. Ultimately I can see how both are going to be useful to me and my staff in the immediate future and for plenty of time to come.
This course, continues to challenge me especially in the busy times of November. Parent interviews, reports, course work, personal work at home and of course family life have all challenged me lately and I hope I am coming out on top. I feel like I am, but not always certain.
Last learning block of this course coming up and then Christmas, and following that, the Specialist element of this. I look forward to that as well, however, I am nervous about it. Nothing is going to slow down to allow any more time, so balancing and juggling is the focus of the effort in all of this.
A life lesson there........
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
And my Reflection from the prompts LE#2
Reflection on the Halfway point!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
2nd reflection - Response to prompts
- Describe one significant idea or issue that has arisen for you, as you were engaging in the topics during Learning Experiences #1 and #2
Something that has really stood out in my mind is the use of Web 2.0 tools. I have been using them for the last couple of years and have been trying to incorporate even more of them into my classroom, or virtual classroom. I am seeing this more now as a technology for the special needs student as well. Before I really just thought it was engaging and fun for kids. I am now seeing it as more of an "assistive technology", not perhaps like dragon, but equally as useful and more importantly, inclusive.
2.Elaborate on how specific resources, ideas or experiences in the Learning Experiences have contributed to your learning. e.g. reading material, course activities etc.
Again I want to touch on the Web 2.0 tools. There are so many useful things out there that I either didn't realize existed or I just hadn't had the confidence to jump right into it. Such as Edmodo. I have attempted to incorporate it into my class and have had some pretty great results so far and I still have much to learn.
3. Share how your participation in the discussion forums have contributed to your learning and connect this to your understanding of the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession.
As a result of discussion with my "classmates" I can say that my "ongoing professional learning" has been the area I have gotten the most out of. Whether it be specific lesson plans and ideas or just methods of using a particular tool, the discussion forum is key in this learning to connect with others and see what they are doing. Essentially one can tweak any ideas and make them their own, creating a best practice.
4. Discuss any outstanding questions and the steps you may take to further explore your interests as part of your learning in the course.
What I am still contemplating is my school plan. I am wondering how to get others involved and spread the technological ideals throughout our school. We have a pretty comprehensive School Improvement Plan and each division has some great things going. I wonder how I can influence them to use more technology and bring the whole school on board.
A Re-post for my reflections
The End of LE#1
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Reflect on This Learning
So Here I am at the end of my first learning module of the 2nd part of the course. I'm happy to be here as I'm inching along with all the other things that happen along with work and life. I really enjoyed and benefitted from a couple of sections of this learning module. First and foremost the dreaded "Blog", dreaded because I wasn't sure how I first felt about it. And secondly, the web 2.0 tools and learning. This pages chock full of sites and ideas to use.
The blog has become my friend. I certainly didn't think it would be. I have always enjoyed writing and reflecting but perhaps not so much publicly. There are however many benefits to this and perhaps any of you who stumble up on my blogs in the future will feel the same way or you may be at that certain point in your life where you feel busier than you can handle. It's okay, it'll pass ( I actually wrote that to remind myself).
One of my favourite blogs now a book was the 1000 Awesome Things. Perhaps someday I'll have an inspired moment like that during blogging to create my own version.
The Web 2.0 Tools as previously mentioned opened my eyes to a whole new world of Awesome as it were, to what is out there for classrooms and students. I have put Edmodo to use and it is now up and running, and with great feedback from the kids. Where I have to be careful is trying not to do too much with all the programs and things that are out there to be used. Focus on one or two things and try and do them well!
One of the things that I found really not that tremendously useful and quite bothersome, though I understand how necessary it is, was the computer use policy. Okay, I get the necessity. It's just terribly unfortunate as people don't use their heads, or even more unfortunate people try to take advantage.
I can say that it has been easy to connect to the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession as the continuous discussions and on going learning have continued to open my eyes to not only technologies and programs, but other educators thoughts and views as well as what is going on with other school boards out there!
That's what I think about that,
Over and out,
Shaun
The blog has become my friend. I certainly didn't think it would be. I have always enjoyed writing and reflecting but perhaps not so much publicly. There are however many benefits to this and perhaps any of you who stumble up on my blogs in the future will feel the same way or you may be at that certain point in your life where you feel busier than you can handle. It's okay, it'll pass ( I actually wrote that to remind myself).
One of my favourite blogs now a book was the 1000 Awesome Things. Perhaps someday I'll have an inspired moment like that during blogging to create my own version.
The Web 2.0 Tools as previously mentioned opened my eyes to a whole new world of Awesome as it were, to what is out there for classrooms and students. I have put Edmodo to use and it is now up and running, and with great feedback from the kids. Where I have to be careful is trying not to do too much with all the programs and things that are out there to be used. Focus on one or two things and try and do them well!
One of the things that I found really not that tremendously useful and quite bothersome, though I understand how necessary it is, was the computer use policy. Okay, I get the necessity. It's just terribly unfortunate as people don't use their heads, or even more unfortunate people try to take advantage.
I can say that it has been easy to connect to the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession as the continuous discussions and on going learning have continued to open my eyes to not only technologies and programs, but other educators thoughts and views as well as what is going on with other school boards out there!
That's what I think about that,
Over and out,
Shaun
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