One week down, many to go.....

I have officially completed my first week of grad school!!!  It seems like a daunting task to think of how many more weeks/months we have left, but if I learn as much as I learned this week, every week, I will be overflowing with technological information.  I started off the week feeling very overwhelmed by all of the work we had to do, but after starting the homework I felt excited and wanted to do more.  I wouldn't say I learned a lot of new information, although I did learn a lot from my peers, but it was more making myself use some of the tools that I already knew were out there.  I have known about google docs and blogging for quite some time, but never "found" the time to use them.  Now that I have, I can think of numerous ways to use them each day.

I teach 6th graders and even though they know a lot about technology I do feel like it is hard to find the balance at their age between using technology and over exposure.  I would love to use blogs in my classroom, but then all of my students need to have e-mail accounts to access them.  I am not sure I could convince all of my parents that their child has to have an e-mail account.  I do book club with my 6th graders and once a week we sit down to discuss the book.  I think blogs would be a great way to discuss the books more frequently.  Also, I think some kids today feel more comfortable saying things online (in text) instead of saying in verbally in front of their peers.  I could see, by having the option to blog, some of my students might become more active in our book club discussions.

As far as Google Docs, wow what a great tool!!  I wish I could've used this while in college!!  I can just imagine the collaboration that could've happened if we had this tool!  Again, this is something I could really see a use for in my classes, but gaining access, as we discussed in class, is a little tricky for kids.  I don't tend to assign a lot of group projects because of the fact that it usually ends up being one student getting stuck doing most of the work.  We do do some projects/papers, that this would be really useful for. 

I am really excited about the assignments this week.  I have never used social bookmarking and am really looking forward to learning more about it.  I am also really excited about learning ways to use web cams in the classroom.  I have used webcams in my personal life a lot and have always thought they would be a great tool in the classroom, but haven't found the best way to incorporate them.

Overall, week one has left me eager to learn more, excited to implement these tools in my classroom, and motivated to become a better teacher! * I can't believe I just wrote all of that.  I never thought I would be the blogging type*

The Adventure Begins.....

As I start the adventure of going back to school there are mixed emotions.  I am nervous about balancing school, work, and being a mom.  Trying to find extra time in my schedule to do homework and class will be tricky, but more than anything I am filled with excitement!  I have been wanting to obtain my masters in education for quite some time, but never found the program I thought fit me.  As a teacher, I love to bring new things into my classroom especially through technology.  I strive to find new and inventive ways to keep my students interest and excite them.  When I saw the course outlines for the MEIT program I knew it would be perfect for me.

I am looking forward to finding new formats to teach my students.  I think this program is going to force me to develop some curricular tools I have wanted to do for some time, but never found the time to do.  For example, I have always thought it would be great to have a blog and here I am writing my blog.  I am hoping to find new ways to keep in contact with parents and am hoping to start a blog for my classroom as well.  I am also hoping to become more confident in my technology abilities.  I seem to be the go to person in our school if they are having problems with their smartboard, computer, senteos, etc.  9 times out of 10 I can help them, but the one time I can't it drives me crazy.  I am really hoping to learn enough to be more of a technology guru for our building.

In the end I know that this is going to be a great adventure.  Not always an easy one, but one that I need and want to do.  I think in life sometimes we need to leap and hope to land on the other side a new and improved person.  I know this program is only going to make me a better teacher and a more confident employee.  I am so excited to learn from everyone involved in the program and implement all of my new skills into my job!  Let's get started!!!