Thing # 3 : Register Your Blog

Blogs can be used as great tools for brainstorming.  Keeping up with a blog while completing my degree can be a great way to reach out to others in my program.  It will be a great way to share best practices that I have found along the way, resources that are helpful, and reach out to other in a time of need.  In the professional teaching world it can do the same thing.  Instead of reading a "how to" you can read experiences from real life teachers that have gone through or are going through the same things as you are. 

Using a blog in the classroom maybe a different story.  I have never seen a blog used in the classroom, until now.  I feel as though it will be a good tool to have everyone collaborate on an idea.  For example everyone reads chapter 1 in the text book.  The teacher posts added materials such as video clips and some food for thought questions.  Then students can comment accordingly.  As the year continues maybe even having each student take the "teacher role" and find added material and pose questions for their peers.  

Thing # 2 : Creating a Blog

I have never created a blog before. I have read a few food/recipe blogs that always make me hungry.  I always admire the way there is a casual flow about those blogs.  It was interesting to see the behind the scenes of a blog.  There are so many different options and customizable options right at your fingers.  I still have a long way to go when it comes to figure out the ins and outs.  But I feel with some fiddling I will get the hang of it.

I decided on the name Ms. Nicole's 23 Things as the name for my blog.  I feel that leaving it open ended gives me creative room to go in whatever direction I deem necessary that day.  My posting name is  Ms. Nicole because that is one thing I adore about the South.  I am originally from Massachusetts and one thing I noticed is that all children call me Ms. Nicole.  I think it is a tradition that is lost in the North East.

Creating the avatar was fun.  It was great to play with all the different options.  It was interesting to pick things that I thought would represent me only to be surprised.  I ended up going with my classic look, curly hair with glasses. I am having trouble adding my avatar to my blog page.  I may have to call in some reinforcements to help me with this one.  I keep getting fun tech savvy error messages :(

Thing # 1 : 71/2 Habits of Life Long Learner

After viewing the 7 1/2 Habits of Life Long Learners, I have the warm fuzzy feeling of a new student in their first semester.  I am excited and enthusiastic to start my higher education and this presentation was a great way to keep my motivated to become a life long learner. 

Accept responsibility for your own learning really hit home with me.  I feel that one of the biggest factors in the success of your education in your own personal drive to learn.  I feel that I have that drive.  I used to refer to it as being a constant learner, but life long learner has a nice ring to it.  I feel that this drive will help me along my way to completing my goal to become a teacher. 

An area that I may need to work harder at is having confidence in yourself as competent, effective leader.  Currently I am not as confident as I need to be in my skills.  I am hoping the skills I learn in my graduate classes will help shape my confidence. 

Don't worry though I still have that war fuzzy new student feeling :)