October 20, 2009

I was sitting here remember the educational journey of my education. The more I try to remember the more I recall my collection of odd characters I proudly refer to as friends. When this is all over that is what I will remember. The facts and theories will fade away, but the people who touched my life will always be there. That is how a cohort is supposed to be. It may not be necessary to grow close to all the members, but you have to find strength in numbers. My best advice for anyone entering a cohort is to find a way to bond with some other members of the cohort.
Thinking back on my time in the cohort, it is the, shall we call it socializing, that is the important part. This past weekend allowed me to recharge my batteries. The courses and program is a medium for bringing good friends together and if that is all that it is then it is worth it. Mediated communication is a great tool, but it will never take the place of sitting down with good friends and enjoying the beverage of your choice.

October 13, 2009

This has been a very challenging week. I continue reading about the Law in regard to Higher Education and still barely understand anything that I am reading. The law is very confusing and always changing. The one thing that I am sure of is that a Lawyer is very valuable and can make the difference. I continue to explore more social networking sites. I think they are all beginning to look alike. I am tweeting, blogging, and continually adding to my social networking page. I am reading about instructional design and applying to real life. Guess what, the theory doesn’t always match reality. Not every instructor can be a content expert and an expert in teaching methods, sometimes you have to choose. I will always choose the expert teacher over the content expert; at least I can understand them. Then of course there is that job and family thing I have going on as well. I can’t wait till this weekend I am in serious need of a break from the norm.

October 8, 2009

Finally finished all the homework for this week of school, I have about all the fun I can take. I created an online training session, justified discriminating against biheaded people, and included my classmates in an analysis of agency law. It was a lot of work, but at least I was able to have some fun with it. Anyway, I have had about all the fun I can stand for this week. I am getting to the point where I don’t really care anymore. I just want it to be over. Only three more meetings to go, hopefully they will go smoothly. I am not even concerned with my GPA anymore, if offered a “C” I will walk away. I guess I am just too close to the end. The only thing I am looking forward to anymore is time with my cohort of friends. That is all that is keeping me going now. Unfortunately, now I have learned in my Law class that hanging out with people like those will likely end with me in jail. Thanks Sebastian, my ignorance was bliss.

October 2, 2009

This is an interesting time we live in. People, as I am experiencing, can be so connected as to be bombarded with information all the time. This is a time when social connections can overcome time and space and some relationships exist only in a parallel world we refer to as cyber-space. I just wonder if a person is happier now or is there still loneliness in this socially connected environment. Is mediated communication good enough or is there something missing. I like this new world and love the new experiences, but it isn’t the same for me. That’s just my opinion.

September 29, 2009

I am feeling much more confident at this time. This weeks class meeting cleared up a lot of my questions and concerns. I was unsure of how I was doing till now. I will continue to have some fun and I may even end up sticking with this "techie" stuff afterall. I want to thank everyone for making me feel more comfortable in this new arena.

September 24, 2009

I never realized till today how much things are changing in the way I operate. A year ago I wouldn't have a cell phone and today I am updating my Facebook using texting on my cell phone. It was several of my close friends that brought me to this realization. I didn't even notice that I had begun to use all these new technologies all day everyday. It was merely a few months ago that Torie commented on the fact that I had sent her a text message and it had astonished her. Just now I was giving a potential adjunct application advise utilizing text messages passing through Facebook comments. I guess this stuff grows on you and you don't realize how quickly you can change. Wow

September 18, 2009

The3 eschedule process is under way. We are currently collecting input from full-time and adjunct faculty, then its put the puzzle together time. Soo far there has been relative silence or resistance regarding any issues I included in my messages to faculty. I would love to see this continue to go smoothly.

September 17, 2009

It’s scheduling time again. The spring course schedule is due by October 2nd. I am going to go crazy. I have two weeks to schedule over one hundred courses with four classrooms that I am able to use and a faculty full of self-centered pre-Madonna.

September 15, 2009

I noticed I have 2 followers now. I have decided to post from now on with dates as the title as everyday just isn't working. I thought I could devote one hour per day that however is not happening. I am enjoying most of the social networking, but the readings for all three courses are killing me. I will continue to play when possible and try to maintain this public diary.

We’ll see if we can find some juicier things to post in the future. For instance, I was a little taken back by some of the social networks I have found and not posted information on, but maybe its time to push experimentation a little further.

Day 7

I am beginning to feel comfortable now with social networking, but finding the time to keep up is still an issue. I am trying to schedule an hour each day, but my job keeps getting in the way. I have never kept a diary or journal in past , but I can see that this the modern version of those. I find that it can be very therapeutic.

Day 6

I am loving the new methods of learning that this class is introducing us to. I have long thought that application is the key to learning, but now I see that it goes further than that. I am really enjoying this course and it will have a profound influence on my future teaching.

Day 5

I took a break over the weekend and watched football, went to a rodeo, and went fishing. I think I may have actually missed being connected, a little. Well, now I am back and energized. I believe I might be getting the hang of social networking and I have to admit I like it. My problem now is trying to find balance. I can definitely see how some people become addicted. I might start by setting aside some time each day.

Day 4

I now am finding myself expanding into customizing my pages. I love the fish on this one. I may soon be addicted if it weren't for work getting in my way. Darn that job thing.

Day 3

I had a little trouble uploading a picture on twitter, but I managed to overcome that. I still have some small issues with so many new things all at once. I will be taking a break over the weekend. I think now that I am plugged in as they say, I need to unplug for a couple of days. It is unbelievable how many sources of information can come streaming in!

Day 2

I have now created a blog, a wiki, a twitter account, and a Facebook page as well as maintaining my existing accounts. I can see how people can get addicted to their computers. This is a lot to keep up with. I have decided, for now, not to send all my twitter messages to my phone as it became obvious that it would constantly be ringing. I am not sure how I can keep up with all these communication tools, but all in all it has not been as difficult as I expected.

Day 1

I am now being forced into the digital age. I am trying out wikis and now blogging. It all seems a bit overwelming to begin with. I have some experience with social networking but continue to be cautious.