The Tech Quad

Well, by now we have all heard of "The Geek Squad".  They're available to the average Joe through BestBuy to help with any tech issues you or I may run into...setting up our home computer, setting up the new home theater system, helping rid the laptop of the virus...the list goes on.

Well, for our first group project, we were to come up with a name for our group.  We decided on The Tech Quad.  Our name represents us in so many different ways.  We are learning about technology to use in the classroom.  Technology is also an integral part of our class and our success in the class.  And there are four of us in our group.  Although we are still learning much of the technology we are using, we are not letting it get the better of us.  We are forging through, overcoming obstacles, and creating success.

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...