As I briefly mentioned in my previous post, I have some experience on Blogger because we were required to have one in a class in undergrad. As far as reading blogs goes, other than reading the few posts of my other classmates during that single class in undergrad, I don't keep up with any blogs.
I find Blogger to be very user friendly but since I'm a bit of perfectionist I spent far more time setting it up than need be. I am also fairly certain that I'll go back hundreds of times and change pretty much every aspect of my blog. I'll probably in the end, if time warrants it, customize the entirety of my blog.
I'm big with personalizing things which is why I don't want to just merely use a pre designed template but would rather upload my own background and choose my own fonts and colors.
For the title of my blog I decided on "23,000 steps to learning the 23 things" because I am quickly realizing that each post requires NUMEROUS steps. We aren't just doing 23 things as the title of the learning activity suggests, but are rather being taken on a kind of technological learning journey.
After I decided upon a title I moved to creating an avatar. The perfectionist in me of course took over and I ended up spending FOREVER creating my avatar. I decided to create my avatar in as close of a resemblance to myself as possible, which isn't easy considering the limited design options I was given. Since the blog is in a way my own form of personal expression, I of course wanted my avatar to look like me. The facial expression I chose for my avatar is probably the most interesting, since I chose the bug eyed, open mouthed, surprised expression. I guess I chose this one because I am known for quirky facial expressions and I found this one to embody quirkiness the best.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Thing #1 Easiest/Hardest lifelong learning habits
Ive been in school full time since I was 5 years old and now that I am rapidly approaching my 24th birthday, that means I've without a doubt been increasing my knowledge base for the past 19 years. But what happens when I'm out of the classroom? Or to put it more it more appropriately, since as a teacher I'll forever be in a classroom, what happens when I stop being a student, will I continue to learn? I believe the answer to this question is a resounding yes.
I am confident in my ability to be a lifelong learner for two important reasons. First and foremost, it is in my nature to always question and explore the world around me. If I don't understand something I look it up, or if something interests me I frequently find myself performing a google search to learn more about it. And second, just the mere fact that I am becoming teacher will undoubtedly give me the tools/environment to foster lifelong learning. As a teacher each and everyday we enter the classroom we will learn new things about our students and ways to become better at our craft.
However, being a teacher means one must not only be willing but passionate in continuing to learn. As the world, and subsequently our children change the way they learn, we must be able to adapt and change our instructional styles as well. I believe Habit 1 "Begin with the end in mind" is one that I have mastered. I am extremely goal oriented and focused on the future and the steps needed to take me there. I sometimes find myself stressed out and overwhelmed over events that have yet to happen because I am always looking forward.
Never has there been a point in my life that I have been completely content with my achievements and thought there was nothing I needed to do/improve upon. However with that being said, although I have confidence in my ability to be a lifelong learner I do not always have confidence in my ability to learn and understand things. Therefore, out of the 7 1/2 lifelong learning habits, I struggle the most with Habit 4 "Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner"
The best way I can describe it is that I sometimes struggle with low self efficacy; I don't believe in myself as much as I should. If a teacher/professor describes a task as being difficult I immediately question my ability to adequately perform it. My lack of confidence is oftentimes why I choose the "safe" route or do not select challenging tasks.
Although I never had my own personal blog my "Teaching of Writing" class in undegrad required us to have one. We too used blogspot so I was familiar with the process of setting it up. I enjoy writing, which is probably readily apparent from the length of this first blog, so I was excited to learn that posting on a blog would account for a substantial portion of our grade.
I hope to learn anything and everything about Web 2.0 tools since students are only becoming more tech savvy and I wish to be able to foster a learning environment where I can utilize their interest in being on computers and surfing the web.
I am confident in my ability to be a lifelong learner for two important reasons. First and foremost, it is in my nature to always question and explore the world around me. If I don't understand something I look it up, or if something interests me I frequently find myself performing a google search to learn more about it. And second, just the mere fact that I am becoming teacher will undoubtedly give me the tools/environment to foster lifelong learning. As a teacher each and everyday we enter the classroom we will learn new things about our students and ways to become better at our craft.
However, being a teacher means one must not only be willing but passionate in continuing to learn. As the world, and subsequently our children change the way they learn, we must be able to adapt and change our instructional styles as well. I believe Habit 1 "Begin with the end in mind" is one that I have mastered. I am extremely goal oriented and focused on the future and the steps needed to take me there. I sometimes find myself stressed out and overwhelmed over events that have yet to happen because I am always looking forward.
Never has there been a point in my life that I have been completely content with my achievements and thought there was nothing I needed to do/improve upon. However with that being said, although I have confidence in my ability to be a lifelong learner I do not always have confidence in my ability to learn and understand things. Therefore, out of the 7 1/2 lifelong learning habits, I struggle the most with Habit 4 "Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner"
The best way I can describe it is that I sometimes struggle with low self efficacy; I don't believe in myself as much as I should. If a teacher/professor describes a task as being difficult I immediately question my ability to adequately perform it. My lack of confidence is oftentimes why I choose the "safe" route or do not select challenging tasks.
Although I never had my own personal blog my "Teaching of Writing" class in undegrad required us to have one. We too used blogspot so I was familiar with the process of setting it up. I enjoy writing, which is probably readily apparent from the length of this first blog, so I was excited to learn that posting on a blog would account for a substantial portion of our grade.
I hope to learn anything and everything about Web 2.0 tools since students are only becoming more tech savvy and I wish to be able to foster a learning environment where I can utilize their interest in being on computers and surfing the web.
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