Week Two- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

I have so many different initial thoughts on our textbook. I love the do-it-yourself model of describing web 2.0 and the changes that are happening in education and technology right now. The internet was previously used as a way to get information. Now, users are adding their own information to the internet and even collaborating right online. Learners are using the internet to learn on their own and showcase their learning to help others. I never “saw” this transition until it was pointed out to me. Looking back though, I can remember when the internet was just used to find information. It's amazing how far it has come.

I also love that our book distinguishes between cooperation and collaboration. I feel that the words are used interchangeably, even when that may not be the intention of the speaker. It is one thing to cooperate, and it is an entirely different accomplishment to collaborate with colleagues. But, well worth it, in my opinion. So, I can easily understand and value the authors' definition and use of a professional learning community. The PLC that I am a part of at my work is a grade level PLC. Each year as people come and go from our team, it seems like we become more diverse. Because of this, I can truly relate to the authors viewpoint that a diverse group of people is necessary for change. "Those who see themselves as learners first are more likely to learn from others who challenge our thinking than from those with whom we wholeheartedly agree" (Nussbaum-Beach & Hall, 2012). What would be the point if we all had the same thoughts and ideas? I'd be wasting an hour of my time every week sitting around a table having a normal conversation!

Something that is slightly new for me is the idea of a personal learning network. I am looking forward to forming a diverse group of people to share information and resources with. I can see the potential that kind of group could hold. However, the idea of a community of practice or inquiry creates different thoughts for me. The idea sounds wonderful and effective. In reality, well, that's another story. I am luck that I keep my head afloat with work and school! My team often says that we are on the Titantic, headed toward an iceburg. 

I am not married, nor do I have children. I have all I can do to keep lesson plans prepared a week ahead of time, complete my assignments by the deadline, exercise enough to keep my doctor off my back and make the occasional social appearance so that my family knows that I do still exist. To all the teachers that have families, whether you are in school and teaching at the same time or not; you astound me. You are supermen and superwomen and I cannot fathom how you do it. I cannot imagine having enough time in my day to keep up with a community of practice. Just keeping a personal learning network up-to-date sounds like all the time that I have!

I also enjoyed the Education 3.0 article. I completely agree with it. It seems that there are so many new things coming out in such rapid succession that we cannot keep up. Perhaps it is because we are teachers and do not want to rush through or leave anything undone that we seem to be behind where we know that we should be. I believe that all teachers want to get to where we know that we should be. I believe that we know that our students need to have a certain kind of education. They like it. It's more fun for us to teach. It is more meaningful for their futures. Here comes the however. Two hours of my lesson plans for next week are marked “computer set-up.” I have 16 students in my fifth grade class this year. I have two classroom computers. It takes me fifteen minutes to help one student turn the computer on, figure out their user-name, change their password, open Microsoft Word, type one sentence, save the file to their account on the server, find the fifth grade printer, and log off. Maybe I haven't “been around” long enough, but I thought that fifth graders would know how to do these things. Each year, I have to remind myself to start over with the basics. All year long I have to revisit these things.

Don't get me wrong, aside from a lack of technology and personnel resources; I love my job. I have a great group of kids this year; they smile when they come in the classroom in the morning, not just when they leave in the afternoon. When I see my former students in the hallway, they swarm me with hugs. I love my team. We disagree but we support each other no matter what. The administration backs the teachers and gives us whatever they can to help us. I do absolutely love my job. I wouldn't trade it. Nothing is perfect though; of course I would like a few more computers and a special education aide. But, I am determined to find a way to make education 2.0 work in my classroom. I feel horrible that I cannot give my students what they need and deserve. Someday I'll get to education 3.0. In the meantime, I hope that myself and other teachers in similar situations are not criticized for not being miracle workers. 

I love this quote because it is so true. After a rough week I found a way to get back to the feeling from this quote. For me, I get back to the feeling by laughing with the kids. This is how I achieved that Friday afternoon after a rough day. I hope that everyone has something like this to get back to the reason that we do what we do.