Welcome to My PLE
This video by Wendy Drexler was really informative. My PLN is coming along slowly and I'm having a hard time figuring out where to keep all my information. The 7th grader in the video gave me lots of ideas. I think it is so neat that this student knows so much about networking and researching and reporting on her ideas.
One thing I really want to research and use is Evernote. It looks like a great place to keep track of all the information you get from websites. You can also use it later on to give credit to your sources. I am going to start using this website for every report I have to do. I love how you can access everything you find in one place and you don't have to keep track of everything. I think this would also be a great tool for the classroom in almost any grade.
Two Questions and My Sentence
I liked how short and to the point this video was. The second question, "Was I better today than yesterday?" made me think about what I'm am trying to do with my life right now. I am trying to graduate from college. As my classes continute to get harder, I hope I getting better everyday. I hope I am learning more and learning to try harder. I wish I felt like I was moving forward everyday. How great would it be if you could continue to improve in everything you did everyday? I think people don't just move in a straight line though. Sometimes I feel like I'm taking a step forward and then three steps back. It is a great goal to be able to move forward everyday.
To me, the main point of asking yourself that question everyday is to learn to evaluate yourself. That's what Dr. Strange asked us to do with the midterm. I believe the first step to improvement is HONESTLY evaluating what you need to improve.
It is so hard to think of a sentence. I feel like the reason I am having a hard time thinking of one is because I feel like my career sentence and my life sentence are two separate things. Maybe this isn't a good thing. My mom was recently helping her principal interview prospective teachers and one said that she didn't have a personal life. I understand that being a teacher isn't just a 9 to 5 job. You have to be invested in your students and in your work. However, I want to have a personal life. So, my career sentence is this: "I plan to help my students find and fulfill their sentences." My life sentence is this: "I am there to support my family and friends and live my life in a way I can be proud of."
Did I cheat by having two sentences?
This student is very organized and has benefited tremendously from having technology in the classroom. Ms. Drexler is a real asset for her students.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are progressing nicely. I agree with you, sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels or going backwards and other times things are moving along beautifully. I think that is part of life. Nothing is all nice and neat. After all, that wouldn't be much fun. Like you said the reason for the second question is to keep self reflection in the fore front.
I like your creative and unique approach to the sentence (or sentences). They are both good sentences and if you want to keep them separate you should. But, this is my opinion.
I think that as teachers we can have a personal and a professional life that don't necessarily have to be separate. I think sometimes when people say they, "don't have any personal life" its more of a talking point than anything.
Your blog is looking great. I really like your use of links and graphics and your writing is good.
Keep up the good work Tyler. SS
Tyler, first, thanks for the link to Evernote! I understand about the PLN coming along slowly. It's summer, so it may be a little harder to network with people. I look forward to continuing my PLN into the fall, though.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your perspective on the two questions. I think that as motivated individuals, we feel frustrated that we cannot progress faster. Sometimes we need to remember that moving forward does not necessarily mean it's done in a straight line. I'm telling myself this more than you really.
It's taken me some days to think about my sentence. I think it may be more of a "cheat" to not write one at all than to have two! And I agree with Stephen, that "we can have a personal and a professional life that don't have to be separate."
Great thoughts. Keep it up.