It's been a long semester - as they often are.
I've reflected upon my ETC 558 Class with the following little website. If you're clever, you'll find links to two of my major projects.
Here's the link:
Reflections
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
ETC 558...I can see clearly now...
"Lots and lots of multi-tasking." That's how I would answer if someone asked be about ETC 558.
Although I created this blog long before I enrolled in the class, the name has never been more appropriate than this semester. I don't usually take classes during the school year since I'm afraid that, with my other responsibilities, I might not do it justice. I still feel that way.
I'm doing relatively well in the class but there are things I would like to have done better. Sometimes the time crunch dictates the level of work rather than the desire to produce a quality product. Of course, I realize these pressures exist in the "real world" as well. Producing a concert with middle school band and orchestra results in many compromises.
The readings have been very informative, although at times a little too idealistic. I am glad to have finished the "In Search Of" text. This week will be filled with grading the WebQuest responses and preparing the WebQuest report - along with the group work.
Speaking of which, my group has been great. Everyone has been conscientious about pulling his or her weight and our products, I believe, have been pretty good. Not only is this a good way to learn, it is a very "real world" experience.
This past week and weekend was a bit rough for both Cathy and I. Friday was our late son's 20th birthday. We were both blue all week. It seems that though it's been over two years the feelings are still fresh. I owe the boy a lot for helping me get started and staying focused in the early days of this master's project. I will probably dedicate my degree to his memory since, when I get discouraged, I remember that he would want me to persevere.
Anyway, I still think the constructivist approach works well and am glad that we are able to learn in that manner for our Ed Tech classes. I'm glad to discover that our new superintendent in TUSD shares that vision - despite having to jump through the "nickleby" hoops. Perhaps with our efforts in the classroom and her moxie we may get some needed changes done at the upper levels.
Ah, we can dream!
Although I created this blog long before I enrolled in the class, the name has never been more appropriate than this semester. I don't usually take classes during the school year since I'm afraid that, with my other responsibilities, I might not do it justice. I still feel that way.
I'm doing relatively well in the class but there are things I would like to have done better. Sometimes the time crunch dictates the level of work rather than the desire to produce a quality product. Of course, I realize these pressures exist in the "real world" as well. Producing a concert with middle school band and orchestra results in many compromises.
The readings have been very informative, although at times a little too idealistic. I am glad to have finished the "In Search Of" text. This week will be filled with grading the WebQuest responses and preparing the WebQuest report - along with the group work.
Speaking of which, my group has been great. Everyone has been conscientious about pulling his or her weight and our products, I believe, have been pretty good. Not only is this a good way to learn, it is a very "real world" experience.
This past week and weekend was a bit rough for both Cathy and I. Friday was our late son's 20th birthday. We were both blue all week. It seems that though it's been over two years the feelings are still fresh. I owe the boy a lot for helping me get started and staying focused in the early days of this master's project. I will probably dedicate my degree to his memory since, when I get discouraged, I remember that he would want me to persevere.
Anyway, I still think the constructivist approach works well and am glad that we are able to learn in that manner for our Ed Tech classes. I'm glad to discover that our new superintendent in TUSD shares that vision - despite having to jump through the "nickleby" hoops. Perhaps with our efforts in the classroom and her moxie we may get some needed changes done at the upper levels.
Ah, we can dream!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
ETC 558...Movin' along
Workin' on the class...lotsa stuff to do, some of it quite interesting some less so. Many of the readings are quite noteworthy and well worth the time. Others are interesting but don't hold the attention as well. The case studies are great!
Working with the group is a kick. We all get along well, have good suggestions for each other, and are all willing carry their weight and then some. We have accomplished a great deal using both the Group posting area and "Eluminate." After a few hiccoughs at first we got microphone levels and settings set. It seems superior to just a typing chat. We do sometimes talk over each other but that is to be expected. Communication is at a high level...the work progresses well.
I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I alway s stress quite a bit since I was never much of a student through high school and my early college days. Never quite had the motivation and started my kindergarten career on a bad note. Made me passive-aggressive with regard to school. When I returned to college at 37 to finish my music ed degree I was better motivated and was treated well by (most of) my professors. They treated me more like a grad student than an undergrad. I had a great advisor as well.
My classes in the NAU ed tech program have been great...a lot of work but that's how you learn. The "hands-on" constructivist approach is what I had needed all through my early school days. And all along I thought I was the one who was different. Well, OK, I am -- but I found out I was not alone.
OK, I'm ramblin' now...time to go.
Working with the group is a kick. We all get along well, have good suggestions for each other, and are all willing carry their weight and then some. We have accomplished a great deal using both the Group posting area and "Eluminate." After a few hiccoughs at first we got microphone levels and settings set. It seems superior to just a typing chat. We do sometimes talk over each other but that is to be expected. Communication is at a high level...the work progresses well.
I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I alway s stress quite a bit since I was never much of a student through high school and my early college days. Never quite had the motivation and started my kindergarten career on a bad note. Made me passive-aggressive with regard to school. When I returned to college at 37 to finish my music ed degree I was better motivated and was treated well by (most of) my professors. They treated me more like a grad student than an undergrad. I had a great advisor as well.
My classes in the NAU ed tech program have been great...a lot of work but that's how you learn. The "hands-on" constructivist approach is what I had needed all through my early school days. And all along I thought I was the one who was different. Well, OK, I am -- but I found out I was not alone.
OK, I'm ramblin' now...time to go.
Friday, October 3, 2008
ETC 558...continued - again
Well, as i mentioned a bit ago, I submitted my "Scholarly Paper" to two hard found sites. As of that point, neither had responded. It was a bit of a disappointment at first - not knowing what to expect from such a process.
I'm happy to say that both sites accepted my paper for publication!
The first to pubish was Articlesbase.com: http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/technology-in-and-for-the-instrumental-music-classroom-578863.html
(I received this confirmation just two days following my submission.)
The second was EzineArticles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1530154
(This second confirmation took about a week - as the publishers had stated would probably be the case.)
Having never published online in this manner before I found it difficult to find the site to which I submitted my article. I do, however, recommend doing posting online - if for no other reason than to know you are published online!
On a more personal note, my son, Ben, was home this week. We just took him to Phoenix today so he could head back to the big apple. (He is the standby for the lead in the upcoming opening of "Shrek, the Musical.") I can't get enough of this kid! (Ok, he's 26.) Of course, it's always tough to say goodby as we only get to see him once or twice a year. But, he's living his dream...acting on Broadway. (Most recently, he was in "Les Miserables" in the Broadhurst theater playing a number of roles, most notably, as the understudy for the role of "Javert," he "went on" at least 30 times! What a great experience...
Hopefully, we'll be able to visit him in N.Y. sometime in the next few months. As our only remaining son (we lost Tim two years ago) it's made our already close family even closer.
Enough for now...I find myself rambling.
I'm happy to say that both sites accepted my paper for publication!
The first to pubish was Articlesbase.com: http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/technology-in-and-for-the-instrumental-music-classroom-578863.html
(I received this confirmation just two days following my submission.)
The second was EzineArticles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1530154
(This second confirmation took about a week - as the publishers had stated would probably be the case.)
Having never published online in this manner before I found it difficult to find the site to which I submitted my article. I do, however, recommend doing posting online - if for no other reason than to know you are published online!
On a more personal note, my son, Ben, was home this week. We just took him to Phoenix today so he could head back to the big apple. (He is the standby for the lead in the upcoming opening of "Shrek, the Musical.") I can't get enough of this kid! (Ok, he's 26.) Of course, it's always tough to say goodby as we only get to see him once or twice a year. But, he's living his dream...acting on Broadway. (Most recently, he was in "Les Miserables" in the Broadhurst theater playing a number of roles, most notably, as the understudy for the role of "Javert," he "went on" at least 30 times! What a great experience...
Hopefully, we'll be able to visit him in N.Y. sometime in the next few months. As our only remaining son (we lost Tim two years ago) it's made our already close family even closer.
Enough for now...I find myself rambling.
Friday, September 26, 2008
ETC 558...continued
Finished my paper!
I hadn't written one in a little while. I had writers block getting started. Had thoughts and general outline notes rolling around in my head but when I got in front of the computer I went blank.
It helped to review my references. When I organized the references in the order of my outline things began to make more sense and the words began to flow. Finding objective reviews of the software application I was writing about was a bit difficult, however.
Finding a place online to post my paper was daunting. I used every search term I could think of in my quest. When my terms were general I got eighty-bajillion non-relevant responses and when I tried to be more specific I got no responses at all.
I did finally find a couple of sites accepting articles, although they have to be reviewed before they are actually posted. Hopefully I'll get a response back in a day or so.
Anyway, I'm not feeling so overwhelmed as I was earlier in the year. Everything was beginning at the same time: Teaching, second job, this class. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, although I'm not certain what will be expected for my capstone. I have some ideas but my advisor has changed a couple of times already.
More to come!
I hadn't written one in a little while. I had writers block getting started. Had thoughts and general outline notes rolling around in my head but when I got in front of the computer I went blank.
It helped to review my references. When I organized the references in the order of my outline things began to make more sense and the words began to flow. Finding objective reviews of the software application I was writing about was a bit difficult, however.
Finding a place online to post my paper was daunting. I used every search term I could think of in my quest. When my terms were general I got eighty-bajillion non-relevant responses and when I tried to be more specific I got no responses at all.
I did finally find a couple of sites accepting articles, although they have to be reviewed before they are actually posted. Hopefully I'll get a response back in a day or so.
Anyway, I'm not feeling so overwhelmed as I was earlier in the year. Everything was beginning at the same time: Teaching, second job, this class. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, although I'm not certain what will be expected for my capstone. I have some ideas but my advisor has changed a couple of times already.
More to come!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Remember All of Them
Regardless of your stance on our struggles in the world, this poignant video reaches all...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ETC 558...The Journal Begins
I’ve decided that I’m going to do OK in my ETC 558 course…I haven’t yet figured out exactly how I’m going to accomplish that goal, however. The discussion areas are not only stimulating but they seem to make the most sense. It appears most, if not all, of my classmates are educators and share many of the same educational frustrations as do I.
I do find it difficult to keep all of the various and sundry assignment straight. It seems I am continually finding a piece of information I previously overlooked. I also, with two jobs already and the start of school, am finding it difficult to put more than an hour or two together at one time – save for weekends.
I suppose I do get a bit frustrated when “life” interferes with my schooling. I would like nothing better than to have one day a week I could do nothing but work on the class.
So far, in my Ed Tech program I have managed, despite often overwhelming odds, to maintain a 4.0. That, for me, was previously unheard of. I did not “do school” well. I often remember the help my late son, Tim, gave me in the early days of my graduate endeavor. He remains an inspiration even now.
I’ve heard it said that online learning is more difficult. I would concur with the proviso that, despite the workload, being able to set my own hours helps. Even though it is difficult to put two hours together at one time I find that I can squeeze some learning into whatever time I can find. Online learning does have its advantages, especially if one is computer savvy.
I do find it difficult to keep all of the various and sundry assignment straight. It seems I am continually finding a piece of information I previously overlooked. I also, with two jobs already and the start of school, am finding it difficult to put more than an hour or two together at one time – save for weekends.
I suppose I do get a bit frustrated when “life” interferes with my schooling. I would like nothing better than to have one day a week I could do nothing but work on the class.
So far, in my Ed Tech program I have managed, despite often overwhelming odds, to maintain a 4.0. That, for me, was previously unheard of. I did not “do school” well. I often remember the help my late son, Tim, gave me in the early days of my graduate endeavor. He remains an inspiration even now.
I’ve heard it said that online learning is more difficult. I would concur with the proviso that, despite the workload, being able to set my own hours helps. Even though it is difficult to put two hours together at one time I find that I can squeeze some learning into whatever time I can find. Online learning does have its advantages, especially if one is computer savvy.
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