Check in time!

Whenever I stay in a hotel I am often surprised at the time that the hotel provides for a check in time, often 3pm - this is much later than I would like.  When I go somewhere with my family, the hotel part of the trip is a big part of the experience, especially if there is a pool, water slide, video games or for myself a treadmill.  I guess I want to get the most out of the experience and value for my dollar.

Often when I teach, lead workshops or help people to use technology, I will provide quick little opportunities to "check in".  These "check ins" occur quite regularly, and the feedback which they provide, is valuable in the classroom.  As new skills or processes are being taught and learned , these "check ins" give me great information about how the group is doing.  My favourite line in the classroom is, "Check how your neighbour is doing."  This short line allows students to not only help others but also to see if they too are on the right track.  It also gives me a moment to walk around the room, provide help as needed, and ensure that everyone is one task. 

This post is my "check in" time for the last month and bit of blogging and tweeting.  I must admit that I am tweeting less frequently but my tweets, I believe, have more substance to them. I had hoped to tweet 5-10 times per day, which on some days is easy and on others it is more difficult.  Also,  I am occasionally finding my blog as a duty that I must do, yet it still produces lots of enjoyment and from stats and feedback, the blog is well received - thanks!

In my first blog post I mentioned that I would assess my blogging and tweeting after my "trial period".  I will provide a simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis - my first year BUS 121 at Redeemer is still proving its worth.

Strengths

• allows me to continually think about how I use technology
• through following others I have read way more about technology in the last 6 weeks than I would normally do
• I am beginning to follow and connect with other Christian Educators - some that I already know and some that I have only met "virtually"
• more communication with parents and guardians - ( I would still appreciate more comments on the blog please!)
• I am able to share with other educators and I am seeing more benefits to collaboration than I have in the past
• wow! There are some incredibly gifted people out there!

Weaknesses

• there is little face to face communication
• 140 characters is not a lot to say something meaningful
• little snips of information can easily be taken out of context
• information overload 
• fear of missing something that someone tweeted and is 200 tweets down the list

Opportunities

• there is great potential for Christian educators to share knowledge and ideas
• there is great potential to connect and partner with all educators and experts
• blogging provides a chance to have dialog with parents on a more regular basis ( I would still appreciate more comments on the blog please!)
• able to "bring" others into my classroom who can shed more light on the topic
• Life long learning on my part
• model effective uses of technology in education

Threats

• information overload
• finding the time to tweet and blog
• ignoring other concerns
• getting side tracked and off topic
• not wanting to miss a post or tweet
• being "consumed" by the processes

If any of you blog, podcast, tweet etc and wish to share some of your own SWOT analysis please comment below.  

Overall, the process has been amazing.  I am really enjoying the opportunity to get my thoughts down and connect with a community.  I am learning much and, therefore, I will keep blogging and tweeting.  Please bear with me as I still learn to communicate effectively through a blog.

You can expect another "check in" around the time of the semester switch.

Grade 9 Computers - BTT

The class is just about ready to wrap up their video editing with Mr. Brink.  The filming process has gone well and I believe that we have some Oscar worthy candidates!  Mr. Wensink and I will have our regular class back on either Tuesday or Wednesday.  Sadly, Mr. Wensink has only one week left with us.  It has been a pleasure having him in our classroom.  He has fully assumed the role as the class teacher and the kids have fully accepted him.  I will likely be thought of as the substitute when he finishes and I take over again.   

Grade 11 Computer programming - ICS 3U

Mr. Wensink has done a great job with this class.  The students have finished working on programming a guessing number game.  Mr. Wensink provides great feedback, encouragement and appropriately challenges all students to work at, and beyond, their capabilities. Through several class discussion about issues with, and of,  technology, Mr. Wensink has been covertly prepping students to critically evaluate tech, and now, the students are working on their own technology topics.
We look forward to students presentations of learning this week.  Last week our school took part in a day of silence to honour Uganda, and especially young girls who may not receive an opportunity for education.  Some students demonstrated support through a vow of silence on the same day that Mr. Wensink had planned a class discussion.  To honour the day, the class took to the Internet and had a real time discussion using todaysmeet.com.  This was a great way to model the use of technology and in so doing, our whole class had a vow of silence for about 20mins.

A blessed Advent to everyone!