Week 1

I think I'm going to L-O-V-E this class!! As if I need a reason to blog, now I'll HAVE to! I'll admit I'm not a great blogger - I usually don't have the time - but I do love the chance to write down my thoughts once in awhile. I'm currently managing four blogs: my family's blog, my parent's mission blog, my design blog and this blog for class. I know the design is slightly boring as of right now, but I'll play around with it and make it super. In the past I have messed around a bit with the HTML to manipulate the design of my blog. I know this isn't an "HTML class," but I'd love to learn a bit more to really be able to make it more personal. Also, I've tried to import new fonts, create a signature, customize sidebar titles and create buttons but haven't had much luck. So, if you have any tips that might help me out in those areas, I'd love to try them!

As you can see, I'm fairly comfortable and familiar with using a computer, but I realize I have a lot to learn. I'm excited to see what I can do! And after reading the assigned articles for our Technology Reflection Paper, "Maine’s Laptop Initiative Improves Student Writing" by Anne Miller, "The 21st-Century Digital Learner" by Marc Prensky, "Risks Involved in Integrating the Internet into the K-12 Curriculum" by Bernie Poole, and "How a New Generation of Teachers Will Change Schools" by Monica Martin, I have decided that using technology in the classroom is essential in order to be able to reach today's students. I am constantly amazed at how my daughters instinctively know how to turn on a computer, navigate the internet, text on my phone, take digital pictures, upload music to their ipods and everything else that, for me, usually requires at least an hours' worth of step-by-step instructions. I must have missed that class in the life before!

Anyhow, I can't wait to learn more! Bring it on.