6 w.eeks just flies by!

Is it obvious that I'm having a hard time this semester? I decided about three weeks ago that I'm going to stick with Curriculum and Instruction for the time being. I feel so lost! I want to understand the reading assignments (in my 2nd class it's even more difficult) and be able to participate in an educated discussion. I have simply felt this entire semester that I'm bumbling along.

Thanks to Page (but I think she said earlier in the semester she goes by Brandy?) our group project came awesome! I know this is something I will definitely use in the future - in my classroom and in my studies.

I think overall I am enjoying this course more than Ed. Products. I had started to blog my Creatures project here, but I figured out what I needed to do to start another blog. I REALLY do not enjoy playing video games, and I've a very difficult time keeping up with that project. I think for the last few entries I will have my students play the game and I'll take notes on their experiences.

I will be submitting more entries and sharing thoughts! I think I need to look back at what happened this semester to make me change my mind. Maybe it's simply timing? Maybe it's the fact my home laptop went on the fritz? Maybe I'm overwhelmed with other responsibilities and I can't put as much time into learning new things?

I'll be back soon.

Creature Project 1

I'm going to use this blog dually for Dr. Robins' Creature project.

I hatched my creature a week ago. I only hatched one egg to get the feel for what it was going to be like. My first creature's name is Nicole. She's extremely active. She was not interested in the cake I baked for her, but she did enjoy the apples and carrots. Nicole also enjoyed the skateboard. I took her to the toy room and she played for a little while with the top and toy soldier. I had a hard time keeping her in from the rain.

Today I hatched my second egg - a boy named Andy. He helped me realize that Nicole may have ADHD! I left her in the ferris wheel and I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't come out. I remembered that the car had to be at the bottom. She eventually came out. Andy and Nicole met up and Nicole started smooching on him. He covered his eyes with his ears. I don't think he liked the affection too much. Andy got tired, so I walked him back to the house. He fell asleep as soon as I brought him to the nursury - I was scared he died, but the zzzs were coming out. Oh, Andy eats like a pig.

Both Norns are growing!

Better week!

I think having big assignments due truly affect my being. Even though there were some stressful things going on in my life I was able to cope relatively better than last week (my daughter broke her arm doing a backhand spring). I enjoyed this week's readings. I even reread some sections. I think this is because the chapters explained some psychology that sometimes makes me wonder.

It's easy to go about living your own life, and when other's pop up with other views and ideals I often have a difficult time understanding. As a teacher I must remember that not all people with share my experiences or feelings, and it is my job to understand them.

I'm Recovering from a Spiral

Last week was definitely not one of my better weeks! Paper due, another major assignment for Product Development, School Board presentation, PLC, PDC, PTA, CSIP, gymnastics competition, slumber party, husband gone for a month...aauuuggghhhh! I thought I was doing well with my paper, then I got behind with other meetings. I'm glad it's all done and over.
I'm looking forward to just doing some reading discussions for a little while. I'm making a point to read everyone's papers a little each night this week.

Chapter 4-9

I tried doing my reading throughout the week because of the quantity involved. I think my tired state of mind really effected what I got out of it. I understood much of it because of prior study (as Lisa said in her post, she learns better by doing somthing over and over). But the theorist Gagne was new to me and I can't say that I particularly understood. I will pay close attention to what is written about him in our upcoming papers.

I wish I were further along on my research of Howard Gardner. I did find some great articles from the online databases provided by the library. I don't miss having to actually go to the library to find a periodical - aisles and aisles and shelves upon shelves of books. But I fondly remember the feeling of success when I eventually found the article I on my treasure hunt for.

Trucking Along

I think I'm starting to get a bit more comfortable with classes. Getting the Instructional Design and website project completed is a big load off. I'm getting into the routine of balancing work, family, and school. I actually got to go to the Renaissance Festival yesterday! The cooler weather also helps motivate me - fresh air throughout the house gives me the drive to grade papers and I might even get some reading done.

Still uncertain

The weekend is over. I did lots of homework, and I'm back to work. I never thought that I would find the weekdays to be less stressful than the weekends??? Getting homework done during the week is proving to be quite difficult, so saving it for the weekends seems to be working out well, just chaotic.
The Instructional Design assignment is coming along. I'm feeling better about it. It takes me back to Teacher Ed. courses writing detailed lesson plans that professors swore we would have to do on a daily basis. I can see how Educational Technology plans would need to be more detailed than a daily plan - especially incorporated software, links, and directions for use.