A New Experience

During the 2nd summer session of classes, I am taking a class online.  This is a completely new experience for me.  Technology has changed so much since I earned my Bachelors.  I remember my senior year of college, the new thing was a "chat" that was available between students.  The internet was nowhere near what it is today.  We still used the library for our research.  Now, I can find almost any information I need online.

My online class is with Dr. Smirnova.  For those of you that follow my blog, I also took a class with her in the spring semester.  I enjoy the classes with Dr. S because she exposes us to so much technology... stuff we can integrate into our future classrooms, stuff I would probably not search out or know of otherwise.

The online class is going well so far.  Before classes started, we had an in-person meeting, to familiarize us with each other, the professor, and a new program we would be using for virtual class meetings.  In the spring semester, we used a program called Elluminate to hold a virtual class due to a snow storm that kept us from going to campus.  This semester, we are using a program similar to it called WebEx.  Our class is what Dr. S is calling "pioneers" in the use of this new program.  That makes it so much more exciting.  We are not only learning new technology, but we are creating the foundation for its use by others.

Time to Catch Up

It's been a while since I've last added to my blog.  I have been busier than expected for the last month and a half.  The first summer session of classes is over.  It was much more difficult than I had expected.  Crunching so much information into just four weeks of classes was very overwhelming.  However, I've survived to do it again, in the second summer session.

During the first summer session, I took two classes.  While taking the two classes, I was also substitute teaching almost every day and planning the end of year party for my daughter's class.  Looking back, I overextended myself.  My classes were loaded with more work than I expected.  I learned a lesson through it all, though.  I need to learn to say "no" more often, especially when it will effect my quality of work and effort.  I also need to not procrastinate with anything.  Start strong, and stay strong.

It is now the second summer session.  And I am taking two classes, again.  This time, however, one is an online class.  I have made sure I have fewer other obligations this time around.  And I can feel the difference already.  I am able to stay current on all my work, not putting it off until later.

Lesson learned...

How Time Flies...

Spring semester ended on May 6th, and now two weeks later, I'm preparing for the first of two summer sessions.  Technically, the first summer session does not start for another week.  However, my class that will meet on Fridays and Saturdays will meet for the first time this week because we will not meet on Memorial Day weekend.

I found out the other night that I will see at least one familiar face in class.  It is always comforting to know at least someone in class, although by the end of class many new friendships are formed.

This is the first time for me taking a class outside of the traditional fall/spring semesters.  Classes are crunched into four weeks.  And I am taking two classes in each summer session.  So, I am mentally preparing myself for a lack of sleep and a lot of work.  I have faith I can make it through.