Week 3 Reflections:

What qualities/features do you find common among the best podcasts?
In listening to the podcasts, I found that I like the ones where there is a text version of the podcast available since I am a visual learner. Also, it seems that some people are really well seasoned at the editing features of the podcasting because they are able to cut superfluous information where there was a pause in thought or possibly the interviewee began rambling! Really interesting topics out there that are being podcast...how exciting!
Does my podcast share any of these features?
I am definitely an amateur at this and my best example of this is that I am still having trouble getting my podcast linked to this blasted blog! I did do my homework and am able to make the link, but then for some reason when I click on my own page, there is no audio to it. I'll keep working on it this week since we have some time off!
How might podcasts be useful in your classroom or your practice in education?
I think that the podcast would be another great tool to use for professional development in partnership with eCampus an additional option. As I keep working through this, I would love to be able to have this course continued to be offered next year, however, I do think that it could be broken down into separate parts...could be overwhelming in its current state for a classroom educator that is teaching daily and doesn't have the time this is taking to complete!

Week 2 Reflections:

What did you learn?
I learned a lot about the RSS Reader which I was not familiar with as well as the PageFlakes site that I have addicted my husband to already!
How will you use what you have learned?
Pass it on...I'm already doing this and having so much fun sharing my new knowledge with others in my department and home! Baby Grace should be ramped up on this stuff any minute :)
How did you feel about this tool?
Again, one that is valuable as a resource in many ways.
What do you not want to forget about this tool?
That it is so much easier than checking all of my current PD websites!
How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?
Keep me very informed about new and coming things in professional development; share it with others through training!
Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?
No doubt.
What questions do you still have about this tool?
Adding feeds from all the classmates was a challenge, but I realize that was a one time thing. I would like to locate some additional sites to access blogs on staff development and teacher training.

RSS Readers and Blogs

What RSS reader did you chose and why?
I chose the PageFlakes; I think because it sounded like more of a challenge and I really want to have to work hard at this...because I know that it is going to be hard work to really get others to embrace it.
What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to?
I chose a couple of blogs on school improvement and teacher leadership. I found it difficult to find really quality stuff on these topics, but maybe I need to spend some more time with it.
What made you chose those blogs?
The blogs I chose are on my sidebar here. I liked these because they discussed pertinent issues related to topics that I am really interested in knowing more about.

Week 1 Reflections

What did you learn?
That I can't stinkin' procrastinate or go on vacation again. Catching up to you guys was a job and I've been working my tail off to get all of this done!

How will you use what you have learned?
I love the ideas that blogging have sprung to life in my mind about using this for PD next year!

How did you feel about this tool?
Pumped up about something new.

What do you not want to forget about this tool?
I don't want to forget anything...it was all valuable. Great job you guys on setting all of this up!

How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?
I really think we could embed this into the ABC process for teachers if principals were willing to take a walk on the wild side a bit.

Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?
Sure.

What questions do you still have about this tool?
What are the other capabilities that this has and how else could we use it as part of PD?

Avatar

This is perhaps would I would look like if I were skinny...they don't make reality people...I really looked!

This was a lot of fun to create and I know that kids would love it and probably many of them already have one of their own. It adds a real touch of personalization to the blog because it allows you to see how other people sees themselves at quick glance!

How fun!

Blog Interests

Teacher Blogs used as Reflection Tools:
This is a great example of how teachers could really utilize the blog as a professional development tool whether within a team or a campus. I know that teaching on large campuses it was very difficult to get to know everyone and to form true professional relationships with people that you did not see on a daily basis as part of your teaching position. What a great tool to utilize even as part of the ABC process to connect people from other campuses into what you are doing with your group....or, as the mind spins, what about creating ABC groups through the blog process, especially for those on campuses that do not have a central team because they are the only ones with a job like theirs?
http://mscofino.edublogs.org/

The Future of Professional Development: Students teaching Teachers
I loved reading this one, the June 11 posting about teachers utilizing students to aid in their professional learning....what a concept right?
http://iteacher.edublogs.org/

Background

Personal Information:

Kevin and I have a beautiful daughter, Grace, who will turn two in August of this year. She is the pride of our lives and makes each moment with her very special, even the times that we want to toss her out the back window to live with our two labs! Kevin and I have been married for four years and we love the new age of technology because that is how we met and fell in love!

Professional Information:

My teaching experience ranges from 1st grade to 10th grade and everywhere in between! I always knew that I wanted to work my way into a leadership position in education and felt strongly that having experience at all levels was important and vital to my personal satisfaction and success. After serving in leadership positions as a teacher and completing my Master of Education degree at Arizona State University, I moved into an assistant principal position at the elementary level. I loved working with the teachers and the students as an AP, but truly developed a passion for working with professional learning and development. This past January, I became the Supervisor for Professional Development for our district and honestly felt that I had realized what my dream job really was! I just love what I am doing and though at times it is not so dreamy, I genuinely wake up in the morning and am so happy to be coming to work!

Symbol:

This is our precious girl at the beach when we were on vacation last week at Padre Island! She loved the sand and getting into the water!

There isn't another thing that represents what drives my motivation for education and continuous teacher and professional growth more than this little one that will enter Kindergarten in a few years.

Hope this makes you smile like it does me!