Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

A Change of Heart

Every year I start my classes off with the same two questions; Who's in this class because they sign up for it? and Who was just place in this class and have no idea what the class is about? I usually get about 20%-80% split with the “they just put in this class” always winning the battle. This year was no different. I always let those students know, my class isn't going to be one of the easy classes where you just play on the computers and you get an A. I promise them if they are willing, I can get them through the class and they may learn to like computers.
Well, upon hearing the “not easy” part a handful usually elects to get a class change. This year in one particular class 6 students elected to request class changes (I wasn't offended). Due to the budget crunch we lost 2 of our 5 counselors and the changes took over a week. During this time those students were force to come to class.
(While trying to be modest but honest) I enjoy teaching and my classes are lively, energetic, hands-on, and flat-out fun. By the time the class changes were made 5 of the 6 students changed their minds and beg to have me to email the counselors to reverse the schedule changes (of course I did), and the other one came by and said she missed being in my class (but it was her dream to be a nurse).
It is moments like these that reenforces my belief that leaving the high paying life of an IT professional was the right/best choice for me.

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