Day 30 What would you do (as a teacher) if you weren’t afraid? I am having a tough time answering this question because it makes the assumption that all teachers are afraid. I had a wonderful discourse with my American Literature students a few years ago. I proposed the theory that everything we do as …
Day 29 How have you changed as an educator since you first started? This one could take a month to really respond to, but who has that kind of time. Now and then, I like to read from my original philosophy of education to see what I was thinking as I graduated from college with …
Day 28 Respond: Should technology drive curriculum, or vice versa? I think that we are in a tender trap of educational technology right now. Too many administrators are piling on and thinking, “What can we do to be on the cutting edge?” Without stopping to think, “Why do we want to be on the cutting …
Day 27 What role do weekends and holidays play in your teaching? It is Sunday. I am writing this blog. ’nuff said? I really want to keep my school life and personal life separate. I try very hard not to work on the weekends, but I am always mindful of my teaching, and ideas percolate, …
Day 26 What are your three favorite go-to sites for help/tips/resources in your teaching? I have to admit that this is one area in which I feel a bit inadequate. I feel like my colleagues who are technology driven are much better at collecting and identifying valuable educational website. I have a tough time buying …
Day 25 The ideal collaboration between students–what would it look like? I want to start answering this question by thinking about what the ideal collaboration between anyone might look like. I have collaborated with lots of colleagues in the past, and this is an interesting reflection to think about what was right and good with …
Day 24 Which learning trend captures your attention the most, and why? (Mobile learning, project-based learning, game-based learning, etc.) The trend that I really want to get into is Badges. I haven’t done it yet, but I have had a plan to turn my classroom into a game-based environment where students earn “levels” since I started …
Day 23 Write about one way that you “meaningfully” involve the community in the learning in your classroom. If you don’t yet do so, discuss one way you could get started. I like this topic because it offers me the option of admitting that I don’t do enough and then gives me a chance to …
Day 22 What does your PLN look like, and what does it to for your teaching? I learned another new Acronym Today. PLN=Personal Learning Network. I do not have an “official” PLN; at least I’ve never referred to it as a PLN. Right now, I am a member of the Nebraska Writing Project. I am …
Day 21 Do you have other hobbies/interests that you bring into your classroom teaching? Explain. I collect vinyl records. I have a couple of record players at home, and two years ago, I bought one on Craigslist just to take to school. I got some free speakers, a cheap amplifier, and now I keep the …