DJ Meets the Brave New World

          Middle-aged and somewhat smug in my use of word-processing, excel, power-point , email and general web-surfing, I thought that I was an above-average  "Techie."  Then one day my hairdresser (only slightly younger) was checking Facebook while listening to Pandora on her Iphone.  Facebook???  Wasn't that what kids used to say inane and sometimes obscene things to each other when they should be doing their homework?  It seems my childlessness had kept me in the dark ages of technology.  Unbeknownst to me, all the other people my age were checking their Facebook accounts for pics of the grandchildren.  Marooned all day in a primary school library with no students over the age of 8, I thought "twittering" was what kindrgarten students did when they saw a display of new books.

          It was clear that action was needed!  So, on an icy bad weather day in February, I created my own Web 2.0 inservice.  Armed with a timid Facebook page and a Twitter account (well I might want to "sound off" at CNN) I dipped my cold big toe into the rushing stream of  information.  Over a month later I still have pictures of icicles and 0 friends on my Facebook page.  Twitter on the other hand....

Honestly, I tried it out of idle curiosity.  It was only a little recreational use at first.  Then I found the librarians twittering ALA meetings.  Next I found school librarians with blogs and wiki pages of student projects.  Finally, I dared to search for elementary teachers.  My tentative trickle of information had become  a river of links, ideas and collaborative endeavors.  Is this how one becomes an information junkie?

          Now, at the end of my precious spring break, the taxes aren't finished, the floor needs vacuming and only half of the laundry is done.  Hoever, my mind is buzzing with new ideas,  I have opened a google reader account, set up a blog site, and started a wiki.  Join me if you dare. My little experiment is evolving into a plan of action!!!!

Mission:

Improve my teaching, instructional support and leadership in my school, district and community so that every student has a chance to reach full potential in the present and future change-filled information age while developing the best of our traditional human values of honesty fair-play and concern for the welfare of others.

Goals:

1. Organize my favorite new learning and production tools in one easy place.

2. Share this list with colleagues on-line and in my school district..

3. Expand the list by asking others to contribute.

4. Journal my journey to help others who want to be a part of the adventure.

5. Find a platform for creativity and self-expression which enriches the lives of others.

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