Focus

I recently finished reading an article in the March/April issue of Utne Reader about focus. It explains how we all have choices to make about what to focus on in our moments, hours, days, and lives. It encourages us to lead a more focused life by "...appreciating our own ability to use attention to select and create a truly satisfying experience." (excerpted the book Rapt by Winifred Gallagher) I'd like to read that book.

The funny thing about reading this 5 page magazine article is that it took me about a week and a half of brief "just before you fall asleep" reads. Certainly an unfocused approach to reading an article. Each night I'd diligently grab the magazine and read and reread the segments with the profound ultimate realization that I really need to work on this thing called focus.

This class has been very good practice for aligning my compass, directing my attention, and setting and achieving my goals. Temporarily (for the course of the course) I am allowing each assignment to be my destination- my focus.

The current interactive powerpoint assignment is very structured. It also has a more demanding planning dimension than the other assignments. Once again, the new 505 assignment challenges me to get to work and stay focused.

Appreciation

After working on this week's assignment, I have a new appreciation for the power of the mighty spreadsheet. I'd like to explore this further when I get some free time. I also like the idea that people everywhere are out there coming up with new ways to use spreadsheets and google documents.

It is a miraculous structured framework for thinking, recording, and manipulating data.

I literally feel like I have to shift brains to think within the spreadsheet structure. But I think it is good. I am enjoying the challenges this class presents.

Inspiration

I downloaded the 30-day trial of Inspiration software. After only a brief review, I can definitely see how this software could be extremely useful as a planning tool in the classroom as well as a creative interaction tool for the students to use. I think the students would love it.

In the last few days I have been trying to narrow down what concept I should map for the assignment. One night as I was drifting off to sleep I even found myself "visually" thinking in these connected chains of thought.... an endless linked chain of connections. If I could have recorded my thoughts that night, I would be done with my assignment.

I can also see a use for this software in my current job for planning brochures, and to help us improve and replan our website. Very cool.

Just back from browsing some of my classmates blogs and I found an interesting reflection concerning access to technology in Cecil's blog: techandlangedu.blogspot.com/ (First email account)... a very important issue.

Cognition

I was reflecting on the turning wheel... the cogs... cognition... and felt compelled to look up the definition. How fitting. Understanding and learning is surely most effective when it is an experience. In the best case scenario, learning is an interactive experience.

In the reading materials posted for our latest assignment "Blogging" I was brought up to speed with how students think in the video link called "Joe's Non-notebook"

Learning and thinking is evolving right along with, and likely faster than, the technology. The role of of educators first has to be to catch up fast to what is going on, then quickly figure out ways to let it grow. I think, in many cases, the students may be the ones to guide the teachers on this path.

The first cog

Ok, so maybe my first post was a bit timid. The idea was to throw the short sentence out there, then review where and how it landed. And so I did. As far as I can tell, it landed exactly where it was supposed to. How it all works is amazing.

Reflecting on my experience thus far in EDCI 505-Introduction to the Principles of Instructional Technology, I must say, I am astounded. I am most astounded by the vastness. The sheer vastness of information and resources available to today's teachers and students.

The first few assignments (Pageflakes and Newsletters) have definitely opened my eyes to the amount of information that we as teachers and future teachers must process, manage, organize, and professionally present to our students.

The sorting of the material itself, if done properly, is incredibly time consuming. I must admit that at times I have had to cut myself off and say, "Jodi, this is good, you have enough information, you must stop now." With so much information available it seems there are endless possibilities for improvement upon any given idea or presentation.

Pre cog

My first entry.