18 January - Introduction

My thoughts on beginning this class...

What?
I think the question above basically covers it for me.  I generally use a computer for wordprocessing and paying the bills.  My sister coerced me into creating a facebook account a couple of years ago that I check maybe once a month. 

So What?
I decided to become a teacher last year. Since I started taking classes, I realized that in order to connect to my students I would need to become a lot more computer literate.  I started out last semester in Ed Psych.  Using google.docs and creating my first blog.  I can't say that I am completely comfortable with blogs.  Publishing something to the entire world, even though only a select few may ever actually see it, is intimidating to me.  I think that something so public should be carefully created and reviewed before it is sent out.  I have been told by many that the purpose of a blog is not to create perfection. A blog can be a work in progress.  I will continue to remind myself of that.

Now What?
I am excited to access the technology we will be learning about this semester.  I just spoke to my little sister, she will turn 20 next month, about her technology use.  She told me about her facebook account and how often she uses it and the many varied functions it has.  To me it seemed like facebook is a living part of her life.  In order to better understand where my future students are coming from, I need to be able to use the technology that is so much a part of their lives.  I hope that this class will give me the window I am looking for and also that I can learn helpful ways to make the teaching process more accessible to my future students.