Thing 5

It is a Friday night and from where I live you can hear the high school band playing in the distance at the local football game.  Tonight I felt like I might need the cheerleaders hear for me!  I am proud to say that I have "fed my reader."  I have spent the night reading some of items from the field of education and tips from the world of crafting.  It was a very busy week at work and I am finding it very hard to keep up with my 23 Things.  Tonight when I was reading from Graham Wegner's blog, his use of a clown juggling with someone wanting to add one more ball, was something that I could truly relate to.  I feel a sense of satisfaction as I write this entry.  Tonight I have learned that there is a world of web resources out there waiting to be used just at your fingertips. Let's just say that I have seen the light as to what I can do on the web.

Thing #4

This weekend I had the time to read 5 education related blogs.  I found myself very engaged with each one.  I also feel that I gained a great deal of insight into the technology world that I am learning to embrace.  One blog in particular gave me a whole new understanding of what is available for the kids in today's classroom.  Many of the points in Spies Like Us were eye-opening not only for me in the education profession but also in my personal world.  New technology allows anyone to be seen at almost any time.  I like to think of it as the new version of "Candid Camera."  (Only those of a certain age group will know what I am referring to!)  The only difference is that the hidden cameras can be anywhere including the classroom.  The T.V. show ended up with everyone laughing at the joke that had been pulled on them.  In some situations, I can see that the "joke" would not be a laughing matter. 

Change

Even though I am still in the education business, I am no longer in the classroom setting.  I miss the thrill of teaching.  A great deal has changed since I left the classroom almost 10 years ago.  Most of the changes have been in the area of technology.  I remember signing up for a campus extra job just because the perk would be a classroom computer.  At the time, it was very rare to have a computer in the classroom.  I knew nothing about the "job" but I wanted that computer.
Just the other day I was in a third grade classroom and the students were working on keyboarding skills.  I thought to myself that my first experience with "home keys" was in high school.  I recall typing to the music!
The times have changed for the students of today.  The students for today are "digital learners."   The possibilities are almost endless for the education setting.  Things that we once dreamed of are right there in the hands of young learners.  I would hope that if I had the opportunity to teach again that I would embrace the digital learner. 

Life Long Learning

The words to "view problems as challenges" became very evident when I  tried to create a blog for the first time.  Most of my "problems" came from the technology end of this learning experience.  With every click of the mouse I was in a new and unknown world.  Part of me wanted to quit!  Be it pride or being it stubborn I continued on and look where I am now.  I am creating a blog on learning! 
Learning!  What a sense of satisfaction a person can have when they learn something new. That feeling of accomplishment.  There is nothing like it in the world.  Tonight I have that feeling.  I may have a few "war wounds" from the journey but I am here. 
 I am sure there are more challenges ahead for me.  Knowing that I have a great deal to gain in the end of this experience will be the driving force behind each new area to explore.