I will be the first to admit that I am NOT an organized person! My life is many things, but organized is not one of them! =) Everyone has an area that they can improve upon, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to start changing the way I do things. I think my biggest problem was that I didn’t have just one system to keep my life organized. Instead, I had many little systems in place and ways of trying to “organize stuff.”
I first started the process of Getting Things Done by writing down everything that had to get done on one piece of paper (and yes, I had to write small!). This is the COLLECT step. Of course, every time I thought my list was complete, I would think of something else to add to it. Although my list was long, I actually felt a lot better after getting it out of my head and onto a piece of paper. I was feeling very overwhelmed before I began GTD, and once I saw it all on paper, it wasn’t as bad as it seemed in my head.
Next, I started the PROCESS step, which is where I went through each item on my list and decided if it was something I could do right away (like mail the Valentine’s Day cards I bought), or if it was something to be done at a later date (like my taxes, and making that dessert for the baby shower).
Then I had to ORGANIZE what I had processed. This step made me feel good because I felt like I was more in control of all the things I had to do! I am a big fan of making lists, and that is how I organized things before I started the GTD process. I like to make a shopping list on one piece of paper by putting the names of individual stores as headings and listing the items I need to get at each place underneath the heading. My favorite part is crossing things off the list! =) So, I went through my list and decided which group each item belonged in. I separated my tasks into three groups: 1) Home 2) Work 3) School. Anything on my list that had a specific deadline, I wrote down on my calendar. I added these things to my Google calendar, too, which I just started using at the start of this class and I love it! The problem is, I do not have a smartphone with internet, so I still write things down on a paper calendar or put them into my phone as reminders. Anything that needed to be done as soon as possible (like cook the asparagus before it goes bad) I labeled as Next Action. If it was something that I had a commitment to finish, like a school project, I labeled it as Project. At work, I am in the process of creating the “Tickler” file, which is made up of 43 folders, one for each month and one for each day of the month. I really like the idea of having the whole year planned out in one place.
The fourth step in GTD is REVIEW. Once I have the “Tickler” file in place, I am going to review what needs to be done for the day each morning, before the students arrive. I will review this file again at the end of the day before I leave work, to be sure I got everything done and to prepare for the following day. That way, I can stay one step ahead! At the end of the week, I will review my projects, calendar, and next action tasks to be sure that I am up-to-date.
Finally, the last step in the GTD process is DO. I had to prioritize and decide which things were do-able, based off of how much time I had and how much energy I had. On a Friday afternoon, after a long week at work, I can tell you that most of the things on my list had to wait! =)
I think that this process has helped me, in that I had to motivation to try something new to help me get organized. I went through my emails at work, deleted the ones I no longer need, and created separate folders to store the emails that I want to keep for reference.
I am going to try to continue with this process, but I’m not sure that I’m doing it entirely correct. I am creating a “tickler” file for myself at work, but that doesn’t help me with the things I need to do at home and for school. I need something more portable to organize and store tasks for all three contexts. That’s why I like Google calendar, but I don’t have access to that when I am not on the computer. Maybe I will eventually cave in and get a phone with the internet……….
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Social Networking: In and Out of School
HOW SOCIAL NETWORKS FIT INTO MY LIFE
The biggest social network that I am a part of is Facebook. I moved from Michigan to Florida, and I use Facebook to stay connected to my family and friends. I also use it to stay connected to new people who I meet. I enjoy using Facebook because you can see who knows who, what your friends are up to, and how their lives are changing each day. Social networking is also a form of entertainment for me, so I don’t allow myself to go on Facebook every day! It can be a huge distraction from all of the tasks I have to complete, so I only sign on if I get a message from someone and other than that I check it about once a week.
Several of my coworkers are Facebook members, and it’s nice to be able to connect with these people both professionally and personally. I enjoy sharing photos with them and engaging in conversations that may or may not be work related. If I ever have a question or need a recommendation for anything, I can post it on one of my networks and receive almost instant suggestions.
Social networking also allows me to join groups. By joining a particular group, I can connect with people who have similar interests and engage in discussions on certain topics, such as technology and education.
Now that I have explored this week’s labs and joined numerous networks, I am constantly being pointed to different web sites and applications that can aid my teaching!
HOW SOCIAL NETWORKS FIT INTO THE LIVES OF MY STUDENTS
Social networking takes student learning beyond the borders of the classroom. It serves as another way for teachers and students to communicate with each other. It also encourages discussions and promotes sharing of resources and ideas.
I think one of the most important things to acknowledge is that social networking is not going to go away. It is already very much a part of student’s lives. My students are only in first grade, but those with older siblings know all about Facebook and have even searched for me and requested to be my friend. Our district, however, does not allow teachers to “friend” any students, and most of the sites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked.
Despite the fact that many sites are blocked from school computer networks, students at the elementary level are already using computers and the internet, so it makes sense to engage them this way and teach them how to be responsible users. They can message peers and teachers regarding homework questions, be reminded of school events, projects, and due dates, and teachers can communicate with parents through the use of social networks.
In the article, Social Networking Goes to School, by Michelle R. Davis published in Digital Directions, Shelly Terrell, who is a teacher and blogger states, “If you don’t take that golden opportunity to teach students about the responsibility of using these things, you lose a teachable moment,” she says. “If schools block them, they’re preventing students from learning the skills they need to know.” I agree with this statement completely. As educators, we need to educate our students on the dos and don’ts of using the internet and promote internet safety.
The biggest social network that I am a part of is Facebook. I moved from Michigan to Florida, and I use Facebook to stay connected to my family and friends. I also use it to stay connected to new people who I meet. I enjoy using Facebook because you can see who knows who, what your friends are up to, and how their lives are changing each day. Social networking is also a form of entertainment for me, so I don’t allow myself to go on Facebook every day! It can be a huge distraction from all of the tasks I have to complete, so I only sign on if I get a message from someone and other than that I check it about once a week.
Several of my coworkers are Facebook members, and it’s nice to be able to connect with these people both professionally and personally. I enjoy sharing photos with them and engaging in conversations that may or may not be work related. If I ever have a question or need a recommendation for anything, I can post it on one of my networks and receive almost instant suggestions.
Social networking also allows me to join groups. By joining a particular group, I can connect with people who have similar interests and engage in discussions on certain topics, such as technology and education.
Now that I have explored this week’s labs and joined numerous networks, I am constantly being pointed to different web sites and applications that can aid my teaching!
HOW SOCIAL NETWORKS FIT INTO THE LIVES OF MY STUDENTS
Social networking takes student learning beyond the borders of the classroom. It serves as another way for teachers and students to communicate with each other. It also encourages discussions and promotes sharing of resources and ideas.
I think one of the most important things to acknowledge is that social networking is not going to go away. It is already very much a part of student’s lives. My students are only in first grade, but those with older siblings know all about Facebook and have even searched for me and requested to be my friend. Our district, however, does not allow teachers to “friend” any students, and most of the sites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked.
Despite the fact that many sites are blocked from school computer networks, students at the elementary level are already using computers and the internet, so it makes sense to engage them this way and teach them how to be responsible users. They can message peers and teachers regarding homework questions, be reminded of school events, projects, and due dates, and teachers can communicate with parents through the use of social networks.
In the article, Social Networking Goes to School, by Michelle R. Davis published in Digital Directions, Shelly Terrell, who is a teacher and blogger states, “If you don’t take that golden opportunity to teach students about the responsibility of using these things, you lose a teachable moment,” she says. “If schools block them, they’re preventing students from learning the skills they need to know.” I agree with this statement completely. As educators, we need to educate our students on the dos and don’ts of using the internet and promote internet safety.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My RSS Reader
The RSS reader that I chose to use is Pageflakes. I liked the look of the page, and, having no experience with this form of technology, I found it to be very user friendly! The feeds that I chose to include on my RSS Reader page are Edutopia, NEA Today, Suite 101: Teacher Tips/Training Articles & Technological Teaching Aids Articles, and Reading Writing Connection (blog).
Here is what my page looked like when I first created it:
Edutopia – I chose this feed because the site allows you to browse by grade level, so I can find lower elementary resources and connect with other teachers. I watched a video on classroom communities and starting the school day with a morning meeting. I learned that by helping students start the day sharing feelings with their peers, teachers pave the way to academic success. Students need to feel happy and safe at school in order to ask questions and take risks, and it is our job to provide this type of environment for them.
I added NEA Today because I thought it would be beneficial to be up to date with today’s news regarding education. From the NEA today feed, I browsed through the ‘Blogs We’re Reading’ section and discovered EDVOICES. I read a post that caught my eye because it was titled, 5 Places to Score FREE Classroom Supplies. Free is always good to me, and there are some great ideas listed here, like going to local banks for free pens and pencils!
I added Suite 101: Teacher Tips/Training Articles & Technological Teaching Aids Articles to my RSS Reader because I am always looking for tips that will make my life- and the life of my students- easier! I added the Technological Teaching Aids because I thought the information would be very relevant to this class.
The blog that I am following is Reading Writing Connection. On 1/22/11 I read an article on reader’s theatre and how rereading familiar text is one powerful way to increase fluency. I found this blog to be very useful and relevant to my own teaching practice. I teach first graders, and they are just learning how to read. For some of them, their reading is very choppy. I was able to download and print a reader’s theatre script from this blog called “Creepy Crawly Bugs,” and I can’t wait to use it with my non-fluent readers! I commented on this blog, thanking the creators for sharing this wonderful resource!
I also read a post on this blog about how music improves brain function. My students love to listen to quiet music while they are working. I have a couple of CDs with fun kid’s songs on them. On days when I give my students tests, we take “brain breaks” and I play a silly song for them to dance to. It really does energize them when they get up and move, and I love to watch their smiling faces as they giggle and dance to the music.
Here is what my page looked like when I first created it:
Edutopia – I chose this feed because the site allows you to browse by grade level, so I can find lower elementary resources and connect with other teachers. I watched a video on classroom communities and starting the school day with a morning meeting. I learned that by helping students start the day sharing feelings with their peers, teachers pave the way to academic success. Students need to feel happy and safe at school in order to ask questions and take risks, and it is our job to provide this type of environment for them.
I added NEA Today because I thought it would be beneficial to be up to date with today’s news regarding education. From the NEA today feed, I browsed through the ‘Blogs We’re Reading’ section and discovered EDVOICES. I read a post that caught my eye because it was titled, 5 Places to Score FREE Classroom Supplies. Free is always good to me, and there are some great ideas listed here, like going to local banks for free pens and pencils!
I added Suite 101: Teacher Tips/Training Articles & Technological Teaching Aids Articles to my RSS Reader because I am always looking for tips that will make my life- and the life of my students- easier! I added the Technological Teaching Aids because I thought the information would be very relevant to this class.
The blog that I am following is Reading Writing Connection. On 1/22/11 I read an article on reader’s theatre and how rereading familiar text is one powerful way to increase fluency. I found this blog to be very useful and relevant to my own teaching practice. I teach first graders, and they are just learning how to read. For some of them, their reading is very choppy. I was able to download and print a reader’s theatre script from this blog called “Creepy Crawly Bugs,” and I can’t wait to use it with my non-fluent readers! I commented on this blog, thanking the creators for sharing this wonderful resource!
I also read a post on this blog about how music improves brain function. My students love to listen to quiet music while they are working. I have a couple of CDs with fun kid’s songs on them. On days when I give my students tests, we take “brain breaks” and I play a silly song for them to dance to. It really does energize them when they get up and move, and I love to watch their smiling faces as they giggle and dance to the music.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Blogs vs. Web Pages
From what I understand, a blog is like an online journal or diary, commonly used to provide news about a particular subject. Anyone can create one, for free, and customize it to meet their needs. You can switch out features, add cool links and tools, change theme designs and manipulate content—all on your own with no special knowledge or fancy software! Both traditional web pages and blogs contain information and images. However, a blog is much more personal than a traditional web page. Other people can respond to your posts by leaving comments. People can share their opinions and stay connected by using blogs. Another difference is that blogs can be updated fairly easily on a daily basis (or even more frequently, if you wish!), whereas a web page generally needs to be maintained by a tech support person/team.
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