Beginning of Year 2

Reflecting on the jaw-dropping progress made with laptops in my English classes to enhance student learning, I can easily say I was impressed with what my kids accomplished and produced. I walked away from last year thinking, where do I go now? There was so much they not only did, but showed me about learning, about life and that possibilites are endless in what they take away and want to give back. They rose to every occassion presented to them and exceeded all expectations. So I am beginning this year with some trepidation.

Where do I go from here? Not only do I feel the pressure (totally self-imposed) to do more with these kids, but also to do more with showing others the possibilites and doors that open to students when technology becomes "flawlessly" integrated into their learning. In no way am I saying that I flawlessly integrate it, but I am working towards that goal. Also, I am really feeling the urge to expand my own learning. I have begun the journey into looking at graduate programs. I found two over the summer when I was in Atlanta with Brad, Brian, Karl and my roomie, Barb! One is located through Pepperdine Univeristy in Malibu (it would be a rough time staying in Malibu). The other is located in Pennsylvania called Wilkes University. Both have online Masters degrees (which at first sounded like the degrees you could get through advertisements on TV) but both programs seem incredibly well rounded looking at theory as well as technology. Much like what we are already doing at 21c, but I don't think I can get a Masters degree through Karl Fisch University yet. Umm, Karl?

So I guess what I am saying is that there is a lot going on in my mind. Go figure. I want to be better about blogging as a reflective tool this year rather than just posting student work, although I will still do that. I want to push myself as well as my colleagues into trying new things... personal learning networks, video podcasting, Skype conferencing with other classes. I want to learn from what my fellow teachers are doing. I want to get a better sense of my students. Last year, I felt so rushed to do things. I want to go more in depth with the kids, explore personal learning networks with my 9th graders, show my students what continual learning looks like, run a 7 1/2 minute mile 1/2 marathon.

I guess I better get started!