Blogs-Pros and Cons

After lots of blog surfing , I found a few that I can identify with and I actually saved for future reference.The one that stands out is http://willrichardson.com/. This site belongs to the creator of Weblogg-ed.com, a veteran in blogging that definitely has something to share. He discusses the benefits to blogging, but makes a valid point when he recently moved his site to a newer format.His reason was that after 10 years of blogging ,primarily with the same small group he felt he needed a change and moved his blog. This is ,of course, one of the cons related to blogs, most blogs are only interactive with a speific group, another con is that unless you are articulate with your writing skills and provide references, it is just your personal thoughts. If used for education, it really can promote creative, intuitive and associational thinking (creative and associational thinking in relation to blogs being used as brainstorming tool and also as a resource for interlinking, commenting on interlinked ideas),thus a pro for blogging. Another pro is that they are primarily free and easy to create, update and maintin. I've seen lots of creative and expressive blogs and I could see where if your blog were connected to your personal group how much better it would be for communicating,than some of the other social networks,ie: twitter or facebook. I will probable use this as a group activity when training long distance, but I see this as more of a social networking tool.

"White-water rafting"

Wow,this really makes a good comparison to one of my most challenging teaching expereinces. I was asked to teach a well -known subject to a group of upper managers in my company. I was excited and had little anxiety as I knew this subject backwards,forward, upside down and inside out. What I didn't know was the presentation that I would present with-HUGE mistake. I received the presentation a week prior to the training and reviewed it briefly. It also had an activity added I was fimiliar with, although it had been modified from what I knew. let's just say, I struggled during the entire presentation and every attempt to recover was unsuccessful. My raft capsized in more than one part of the river. Finally, it was over and I had failed what should have been a great success. Just like with a rafting experience, I should have researched and prepared myself more for what might have happened and been more comfortable with the equipment. I learned alot form the experience but will never assume again- I should have made it my own and anticipated the audience more realistically.

"Tough Decision"

The Decision: In order to complete my Bachelor's degree in Adult Education, I need an additional 7 elective college credits along with the required Kirkpatrick Series equal to 9 hours. My current plan is to complete the 24 hours of the required course and pursue the Kirkpatrick Series in the spring 2012, but what should I do about the 7 elective courses.
My choices :Contact my Online Academic Advisor to discuss my options and develop a plan no later than September 2011 or seek out a plan on my own after I've completed the required courses, which will be completed December 2011. Do I want to enroll in the Kirkpatrick Series immediately after completing the required course or pursue the electives first, or do I want to enroll in more than one class?
Information and Pros and Cons: There are many ways to fulfill the 7 electives, as I investigate these I will evaluate the time issues, convenience as well as cost. If I enroll into the Kirkpatrick Series immediately after completing the required course should I also enroll in an elective to complete my degree quicker? Not sure, and I will need to review if the course is available and what the requirements will be. Can I really manage the time required for both? Probably not as effectively as I would like. The cost should be the same no matter how long it takes for me to complete all the requirements, so that's a positive. Completing the degree sooner might lead to advancement in my career or maybe a change in my career.
"Best" choice: The "best" choice for me because of time, other life responsibilities is to contact my advisor and make a plan, and then revisits it as needed.
Plan of action:
Send an email to my advisor and schedule an appointment within the next 2 weeks. As we review the necessary information I will schedule additional meetings to seek guidance and adjust the plan when necessary.

Assignment 4.2 – Changing Learning Styles

Well, as I reflect back to the beginning of this course, I realize I didn’t know much about learning or teaching styles. What I thought I knew was just enough to get me interested in learning more and becoming comfortable with the new information.

My strongest observation of myself is that I am more of an auditory learner. I had always thought my style was kinesthetic as I am very good with my hands and like movement. I recognized that my learning styles change according to what I’m learning or teaching and my feelings or emotions direct a lot of this. The technology now available is more intimidating to me than I thought and I’ve struggled to learn to use it. This makes me laugh as I always thought of myself as informed. I’m one that often gets labeled “out of the box” so I’m challenging myself to be a better student.

To become better at using technology I will continue to use the tools the course has required and also begin to introduce some into my current programs. I have scheduled myself “tech time” each week on my personal calendar- which is a virtual calendar that prompts me electronically. During this 1-4 hr period I will surf and explore the internet to build my own reference library.

I know now that I need to practice using the technology so that I will be able to provide my students with a clear and defined concept. I will also request more information about topics I do not fully understand. By doing this I will be able to decrease my frustration (emotions) and therefore improve my learning so that it becomes a part of my new teaching strategies.

Assignment3.3 Technology- how does it impact learning styles?

I found the articles on this website http://www.ictineducation.org/ very interesting in respect to education. One of the bloggers commented :"the idea that there is a difference between using technology to do things differently and using technology to do different things is a great point."
I can relate to this as I myself have a difficult time using technology to do different things. Does anyone have some ideas they could share? This idea is an advanced sort of thinking and can become difficult to implement. I think that often the applications and different software or computer equipment makes this more difficult. I know I've had challenges and often this creates a level of anxiety that detours my learning. The fact that this world is so different from the one we grew up in when using technology makes it imperative we own our own learning. As the facilitator, we must find a way to impower our students , sometimes we provide the information and sometimes we allow the student to find it themselves. This is another topic of debate: As Morten T. Hansen points out in his book “Collaboration”, what’s important is not collaboration as such, but the right sort of collaboration.When and how do we know what collaboration is needed to promote learning?


OMG::::::
I just realized I posted this as a comment on the previous post instead of as a new post. This is an example of me using technology to do different things- my learning curve is evident.

June 5, 2011 1:39 PM
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Learning styles-Really

There is definitely a place for learning styles, but is it necessary to chose one or the other? Just as everyday life happens , do learning styles change as we grow? I say yes, our learning style does change and should. This activity of blogging is a change from what we did 5-10 years ago, it is a from of learning, but is it helpful to all types of learners? I would think not. I feel it is so important to be aware of your personality, motivation and emotions when pursuing a new experience.

-Learning styles: Do they change when we change?