Comments on: The Continual Rush??? http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:57:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: JenW http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1098 JenW Wed, 06 May 2009 20:14:43 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1098 @PaulaN We -- the Computer Teacher and I -- just attended a CUE event this past Saturday and she said it was much more enjoyable than her first (this past March) because some of the things talked about she knew about now -- and it was NOT an alien language to her. As always -- it is baby steps -- but it is also continual CONTINUAL learning. I am learning 2 new programs right now -- Comic Life and Pages -- and am that newbie stage again. We all continue to swing on the pendulum of learning, don't we?? Thanks for your post. Jen @PaulaN
We — the Computer Teacher and I — just attended a CUE event this past Saturday and she said it was much more enjoyable than her first (this past March) because some of the things talked about she knew about now — and it was NOT an alien language to her.

As always — it is baby steps — but it is also continual CONTINUAL learning.

I am learning 2 new programs right now — Comic Life and Pages — and am that newbie stage again.

We all continue to swing on the pendulum of learning, don’t we??

Thanks for your post.
Jen

]]> By: Paula Naugle http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1097 Paula Naugle Wed, 06 May 2009 05:06:53 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1097 Jen, I know how your colleague feels. I attended NECC '04 in New Orleans (my home towm) with the librarian from my school, who is also the technology specialist. I thought I had been transported to an alien world. What were these words they were using and what was Web 2.0? Ellen, the librarian, just smiled and nodded. She knew what they were talking about, and she saw my feeling of inadequency. She also knew I'd been bitten by the bug. I wanted to learn this "foreign" language and so I set out on my journey. At NECC '08 in San Antonio, I felt a lot more comfortable because I knew the language. I still had a lot to learn, but I wasn't as discouraged because I had already learned so much. Now I entered the implemenation stage of my journey. All the Web 2.0 tools I had been researching finally started making their way into my lessons. Blogs, wikis, and Nings no longer seem foreign to me. I've also used Skype, animoto, Smilebox,and many other tools. I continue to learn each day from my PLN (personal learning network) through my RSS feeder and Twitter. When people ask me how I how so much about technology, I tell them that learning about about technology is my hobby, and I spend my hours a week enjoying my hobby. Jen, I know how your colleague feels. I attended NECC ’04 in New Orleans (my home towm) with the librarian from my school, who is also the technology specialist. I thought I had been transported to an alien world. What were these words they were using and what was Web 2.0? Ellen, the librarian, just smiled and nodded. She knew what they were talking about, and she saw my feeling of inadequency. She also knew I’d been bitten by the bug. I wanted to learn this “foreign” language and so I set out on my journey.

At NECC ’08 in San Antonio, I felt a lot more comfortable because I knew the language. I still had a lot to learn, but I wasn’t as discouraged because I had already learned so much. Now I entered the implemenation stage of my journey. All the Web 2.0 tools I had been researching finally started making their way into my lessons. Blogs, wikis, and Nings no longer seem foreign to me. I’ve also used Skype, animoto, Smilebox,and many other tools. I continue to learn each day from my PLN (personal learning network) through my RSS feeder and Twitter.

When people ask me how I how so much about technology, I tell them that learning about about technology is my hobby, and I spend my hours a week enjoying my hobby.

]]> By: diane http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1096 diane Sun, 03 May 2009 20:16:05 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1096 I've had people say to me (really) I wish I could just transfer what is in your brain into mine. I remember thinking - say what? That took a lot of time and effort to learn - you are looking for the easy way out! But with this person, that does not seem to be the case - she seems to be quite willing to do the work but she just has less experience than you. Perhaps she is just expressing how much she desires to know more and it just came out wrong? Regardless, it is her problem not yours. Just keep encouraging her and giving her all the learning opportunities you can and ignore this sort of talk. Just my 2 cents... I’ve had people say to me (really) I wish I could just transfer what is in your brain into mine. I remember thinking – say what? That took a lot of time and effort to learn – you are looking for the easy way out! But with this person, that does not seem to be the case – she seems to be quite willing to do the work but she just has less experience than you. Perhaps she is just expressing how much she desires to know more and it just came out wrong? Regardless, it is her problem not yours. Just keep encouraging her and giving her all the learning opportunities you can and ignore this sort of talk. Just my 2 cents…

]]> By: Patrice http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1095 Patrice Sun, 03 May 2009 05:02:48 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1095 This post brought a smile to me because I was in the same place Cherie is. I was thinking that I was so far behind in what I knew in technology and everyone else knew more. Then one night a few months ago, I was listening to a podcast of WOW 2.0 where you were interviewing someone and began discussing Google Docs. The guest showed you something new and you were so excited to learn it. I think I had an aha moment because I was surprised you didn't know everything. But I realized that we are all on a learning spectrum. You started years before me and I can't catch up in a few months. I'm okay with it now and just remember to keep learning. There's someone who knows less than me that I can help. My 2nd graders think 3rd graders are so smart. And they will be there tomorrow. Also, I will miss you on WOW 2.0. Blessings to you as you pursue other areas. This post brought a smile to me because I was in the same place Cherie is. I was thinking that I was so far behind in what I knew in technology and everyone else knew more. Then one night a few months ago, I was listening to a podcast of WOW 2.0 where you were interviewing someone and began discussing Google Docs. The guest showed you something new and you were so excited to learn it. I think I had an aha moment because I was surprised you didn’t know everything. But I realized that we are all on a learning spectrum. You started years before me and I can’t catch up in a few months. I’m okay with it now and just remember to keep learning. There’s someone who knows less than me that I can help. My 2nd graders think 3rd graders are so smart. And they will be there tomorrow.

Also, I will miss you on WOW 2.0. Blessings to you as you pursue other areas.

]]> By: A Student Perspective on Learning | Eaton Educational Insights http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1094 A Student Perspective on Learning | Eaton Educational Insights Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:38:49 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1094 [...] The Continual Rush??? from Tech Thoughts By Jen by JenW, Jen talks about a conversation with a [...] [...] The Continual Rush??? from Tech Thoughts By Jen by JenW, Jen talks about a conversation with a [...]

]]> By: Successful Teaching » Blog Archive » Reaching the Top http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1093 Successful Teaching » Blog Archive » Reaching the Top Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:21:41 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1093 [...] The Continual Rush??? from Tech Thoughts By Jen by JenW, Jen talks about a conversation with a [...] [...] The Continual Rush??? from Tech Thoughts By Jen by JenW, Jen talks about a conversation with a [...]

]]> By: Brent Coley http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1092 Brent Coley Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:18:45 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1092 I think the part of your post that resonated most with me was when you wrote: "Should we be trying to keep up…….compare each other’s knowledge to each other……or perhaps is it time to decide, I cannot do it all……and spend some time learning to do something well?" When I look at all the amazing things the members of my PLN are doing, it's easy to get discouraged and say to myself, "I am so far behind all of these incredible teachers. I don't know how to do that, that, or that." I have to remind myself that it's okay not to know how to do everything, that's it's okay to concentrate on a few things and try to do them really well. Do I want to continue to learn new things? Absolutely. And I should. I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate technology into my teaching. I just have to remember that I don't have to do it all at once. I think the part of your post that resonated most with me was when you wrote:

“Should we be trying to keep up…….compare each other’s knowledge to each other……or perhaps is it time to decide, I cannot do it all……and spend some time learning to do something well?”

When I look at all the amazing things the members of my PLN are doing, it’s easy to get discouraged and say to myself, “I am so far behind all of these incredible teachers. I don’t know how to do that, that, or that.” I have to remind myself that it’s okay not to know how to do everything, that’s it’s okay to concentrate on a few things and try to do them really well. Do I want to continue to learn new things? Absolutely. And I should. I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate technology into my teaching. I just have to remember that I don’t have to do it all at once.

]]> By: Jen Carbonneau http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1091 Jen Carbonneau Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:51:07 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1091 Your praise is enough. I don't think that you sensed frustration in her as much as a sense to do more, to push herself further. You're right about not needing to catch up, but a "healthy" teacher always strives for the next level of understanding and engagement. I would worry about her not having that desire. I am sure your discussion with her regarding her successes will help her focus and reach goals she is able to set herself. Your praise is enough. I don’t think that you sensed frustration in her as much as a sense to do more, to push herself further. You’re right about not needing to catch up, but a “healthy” teacher always strives for the next level of understanding and engagement. I would worry about her not having that desire. I am sure your discussion with her regarding her successes will help her focus and reach goals she is able to set herself.

]]> By: Climbing Back Up the Mountain « Mr. Teach http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1090 Climbing Back Up the Mountain « Mr. Teach Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:15:47 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1090 [...] Climbing Back Up the Mountain Posted on April 25, 2009 by mrteachus Basketball and baseball season completely derailed this little side project.  Here’s to hoping I can get my act together and stay on top of throwing my thoughts into the ring.  A little motivation came from this post. [...] [...] Climbing Back Up the Mountain Posted on April 25, 2009 by mrteachus Basketball and baseball season completely derailed this little side project.  Here’s to hoping I can get my act together and stay on top of throwing my thoughts into the ring.  A little motivation came from this post. [...]

]]> By: Matt T. http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1089 Matt T. Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:59:30 +0000 http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=986#comment-1089 You asked a question that's pretty fundamental to education in general: "I know that as educators we never ever can stop learning…….but ever so often, shouldn’t we slow down to perfect something rather than have A LOT Of A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERTISE WITH MANY THINGS??" In a way, don't we sometimes "ask" this of our students? Some disciplines/educators subscribe to the "mile wide and an inch deep" philosophy while others may encourage their students to dig deeper into a particular issue for an extended period of time. Is there room for both? You asked a question that’s pretty fundamental to education in general: “I know that as educators we never ever can stop learning…….but ever so often, shouldn’t we slow down to perfect something rather than have A LOT Of A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERTISE WITH MANY THINGS??”

In a way, don’t we sometimes “ask” this of our students? Some disciplines/educators subscribe to the “mile wide and an inch deep” philosophy while others may encourage their students to dig deeper into a particular issue for an extended period of time. Is there room for both?

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