Today's Lesson!

Okay, today I, seriously, felt overwhelmed! It was cold in the computer lab and I was challenged when it came to paying attention in class.  I was behaving just like the students! It wasn't the facilitator, either; it was me.  I found myself trying to figure out one area of the lesson, and then she would move to a different area.  I was getting behind the class and playing catch up because I was getting to caught up in trying to design the website versus paying attention and taking notes.  I need to get better at that!

If anyone has ever used Moodle, then you know that there are a lot of design options and buttons to click on that have different functions.  Okay, there were too many for me!  It seemed simple, but after looking at the facilitator's Moodle page I know that she spent quite a bit of time gathering resources, uploading documents, and making quizzes/or activities for her students to do to show their knowledge.  This is going to take some time getting used to formatting the page and becoming accustomed with the different functions of the buttons.

Wish me luck!  If anyone else has used this system before I would appreciate your feedback.  Are there any shortcuts I can take or do I just need to stay focused and pay attention to the task?

On the bright side, I did upload a graphic and gave the artist credit! Yay for me!

New Experiences

Have you ever learned something new and became overwhelmed with the prospect of using the information?  That has been my experience this week!  I am learning all of these new technological things and I am overwhelmed with figuring out how I will incorporate what I have learned in my curriculum!

I guess there is nothing to it, but to do it.  I want to engage my students, so that they are turned on to reading and writing.  I want them to explore the different genres and find elements, which they can appreciate in all of them.  We spend so much time testing and covertly teaching to the test that we forget that our students are inquisitive, critical, and intuitive individuals who are capable of completing and forming opinions/thoughts.

My goal, next year, is to have a class full of critical thinkers, regardless, of their ability!  If they can think inside/outside of the box, then they will be able to pass the many tests, which they are given throughout the year.  I am going to apply my theory, next school year to the fullest.

Who is with me?