Organizing Myself Online (Extra Post)

Booooy am I ever going to have to write a lot of blog posts in the next few weeks (there are soooo many extra ones, due to the Tech Tasks). SO I will keep these extras short and sweet (highly unlike my usual style of blogging)


Topics for today:

1. Digital curation as a necessary skill in today's world
2. Some things I do to organize my life online
3. Some things I will have my students use in the classroom

1. DIGITAL CURATION AS A NECESSARY SKILL IN TODAY'S WORLD

Since there are so many digital curation tools available to us, I think we would be crazy not to spend the few minutes it would take to familiarize ourselves with a few of them. Digital curation allows us to organize ourselves in an environmentally-friendly, accessible, (physical) space-free, non-messy, low-fuss kind of way. It also provides us with a hassle-free way to continuously update our lives, and the lists that go with them. Rather than cart around physical binders, folders, and lists, we can keep track of virtually everything online! Because of this simplicity, I do believe that is an absolute necessity in the lives of both teachers and students.

2. SOME THINGS I DO TO ORGANIZE MY LIFE ONLINE

I have really enjoyed becoming familiarized with some digital curation tools through both ICT and I4Ed, although I do not use many of the tools that I acquired in these classes, simply because it would be overwhelming, and many of them have the same functions. The tools that I currently make the most use of are:

1. My Google Chrome Bookmark List (It is quick, comprehensive, and highly organizable. I have all of my websites sorted into separate folders, and subfolders and they are all right there at the top of my browser, where I need them. Because of this, I just haven't been able to get into Diigo)
2. Wunderlist (This is a quick, simple little app that allows its user to create multiple "to-do" lists with descriptions of tasks, sub-tasks, and due dates. I really, really like its ease of use)
3. Dropbox (I am new to Dropbox, but so far I am really enjoying it. It makes storing, organizing, and sharing files very easy - and it removes the issue of me forgetting my flashdrive)

Though this is a fairly limited list, there are several different digital curation tools I hope to familiarize myself with in the future (when I have more time, which will realistically be never), including Diigo (since it has really neat highlighting and clipping tools), Evernote, and Symbaloo.

3. SOME THINGS I WILL HAVE MY STUDENTS USE IN THE CLASSROOM

I can see myself encouraging my students to use Dropbox so that they, too, cannot use the excuse of a forgotten flashdrive to get out of work. Also, it would make handing their assignments (at least those done digitally) in to me very simple. I also like the idea of using Evernote to keep track of students' grades, coursework, and my own observations of their progress. Students could also use this tool, especially in gathering notes for research projects, or studying for tests. I also really liked what Kiersten (sp?) did with Symbaloo on her classroom website! Having quick links to both necessary and extra online resources for each subject available to each student in such an accessible and organized way is brilliant. I will be sure to look into that for my future classroom.

MY COMPUTER IS TOO COLD TO TYPE ABOUT FITNESS ON... (extra post, show and tell)

AGGHHH, like a bad keyboarding student, I have a habit of setting my wrists down on my keyboard (I'm sorry, Mrs. White), and right now my keyboard is INCREDIBLY COLD. -19 degrees, to be exact. And metal is QUITE a good conductor of heat. But I am a trooper, so troop I will.

Hmmm what to blog about today? I think I will blog about fitness. And try to make it relevant to this blog, which is supposed to be about technology.

On the docket for today:

1. My Insanity insanity
2. Exercise videos and at-home fitness
3. Neat fitness & healthy eating apps

1. MY INSANITY INSANITY

So, my best friend (Alanna) is getting married in June, aaaaand she chose me as her maid of honour. When one is in a wedding party, one often gets one's photo taken... numerous times. And these aren't just your run-of-the-mill-party-hardy-Facebook-photos that pop up on the newsfeed, get liked a couple times, maybe commented on (if you have ambitious friends who are up for more than just a lazy lurk and actually want to take advantage of Facebook's interactive features), then sink back into their photo album, never to be viewed again. These are pictures that will be cherished, and thus, on display, forever (dunh dunh dunh dunnnhhhh). 

And so I thought that maybe I should try to get in shape for said pictures. And so I started running at the BU gym, and bring veggies (gasp) to school to snack on. And then a friend of mine said that if I really want to get results, I had to do the Insanity workout with Shaun T. The program starts you off with a fitness test, wherein you are required to exert yourself by doing MAXIMUM INTERVAL TRAINING for 30 minutes, wherein you must do as many of each exercise presented by the tall, dark, and handsome (and ripped) Shaun T. If this was a pass/fail kind of test, I failed. No doubt. BUT I am not one to give up during a fight, so fight I shall. I will keep you posted, likely with funeral arrangements and a will that will divvy up custody of my cats, since I will mostly likely be on the verge of death by the end of the week. 

2. EXERCISE VIDEOS AND AT-HOME FITNESS

But, getting to the point, Insanity is an at-home workout in the format of a series of DVDs. And, it is not the first at-home workout program I have tried. I have got my ass kicked by Jillian Michaels, and I've partied (Turbo style) with Chalene Johnson. AND I have really liked it, in comparison with going to a gym (especially BUs - yep, I said it). I like it because it's private, because I don't have to leave my house in the freezing cold, and because I can pause, fast-forward, rewind, adjust the volume, and count down the minutes before my workout is done. Workout videos are both accessible, and engaging - and you don't have to wait for the guy across the gym to get the hell off the elliptical (he's not even using it right, anyways). I get to keep fit and have fun (a little Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod for you) all because of technology. And not only are fitness apps great for personal use, but I think they would be great for school use as well. I remember doing Turbo Jam until I wanted to drop during gym class in Boissevain, and actually liking it, because it was choreographed right in front of us! Fitness videos would be especially great to have on hand as a high school gym teacher in today's day and age, since much of Phys-Ed has become about getting fit on your own time, at your own rate, doing your own activity. The vids could be loaned out to students who aren't sporty, and are unsure of where to start fitness-wise. Workout videos could also be used in the conventional classroom as well! Students could take small fitness breaks between work periods, wherein they follow a brief routine (1-5 minutes long) to knock the bored out of them. Just a thought.

Now, I am picturing you as you read this, shaking your head and scoffing (or, saying, depending whether or not you are like me, and frequently talk to yourself - out loud): "Psssht Brittani. Are you really going to blog about DVDs as a revolutionary form of technology in 2014?" To that I say... kind of? It gives me a springboard from which to take a running dive (this blog entry is about athleticism, you know) off of into an exploration of some more modern technology surrounding healthy living. I have done some research on apps (since I now own both an iPhone and an iPad) , and here is what I have come up with:

3. FIVE NEAT FITNESS & HEALTHY EATING APPS

• Endomondo Sports Tracker
• This relatively cheap app for smartphones has a built-in GPS tracker that will track the duration, distance, and speed at which you perform your desired athletic endeavour (from ballet to boxing) and the enable you to share this information (though, God knows why anyone would want to) with your social network.
• FitBit :)
• This app does basically the same thing as Endomondo, but it also allows you to log the foods you eat so that you are able to count calories. Fun.
• Sworkit pro
• This is basically an inventory of popular, yet effective exercises that can be pieced together (like a fitness playlist) according to target outcomes of an individual's workout. The app visually shows the exercise, counts down the time you should be doing it for, then moves on to the next exercise. Comprehensive and simple.
• My Fitness Pal
• Out of all the fitness apps I have tried thus far, this is my personal favourite. It allows you to create a very holistic fitness profile for yourself, logging information about your age, height, weight, activity level of your job, average weekly workouts, and fitness goals. Using this data, the app calculates the average amount of calories you burn in a day, and the average amount of calories you should be consuming. From there, you are able to log everything you eat (it contains over 3 million foods - including brand names - and their calorie counts; in fact, you can even scan the barcodes of foods right into the app) and every exercise you do (it contains over 350 exercises to choose from). The app keeps a running total of your actions against your fitness goals in the form of a graph, so it is easy to track your progress. Best of all, it's free.
• Zombies, Run!
• I haven't actually tried this app yet, since it costs money, and I am cheap. But in addition to sounding undead, it also sounds unreal. Zombies, Run! is a fitness game (a concept that sounds contradictorily awesome) written by an award-winning novelist, in which you, as the runner, become the main character in the game. It is your job to escape, and then eventually defeat, the zombies and complete missions that are outlined to you by some sweet British guys via your ear buds. It seems highly engaging, entertaining, and motivating. Once I am done Insanity, I will be sure to give this a try!




Well, that's all (for now) folks! If you're looking for a way to warm up in this wretched weather, give one of these apps a bit of a go. Then feel free to comment about your findings on this bloggety blog!

         Bye byeeeeeee :)

Losing Steam...But Gaining PLNs

I am feeling rather down today. Rather bland. Rather blue.

Perhaps it is the weather (a snowy, blowy, bad-roads-kind-a-day), perhaps its that I have spent the entire weekend visiting with family, rather than doing homework (and the homework has accumulated to the point where it is so depressing to even think about doing it, that I would rather just sleep, but I can't actually sleep because all I think about when I try is my accumulating homework), or perhaps it is that the end really is near. The eighteenth, and final, year of my life as a student. In seven months I will be entering (eep, hopefully!) a school to do the teaching, rather than the learning (though, I suppose that teaching really is one of the best methods of learning).

I mean, it's not that I'm not excited to be graduating, and teaching, and moving on with my life. It's just scary - as any kind of change is to the simple human being. And it's the weather. It really, probably is the weather.

So I guess I need to talk about something other than my feelings. I choose...

• PLNs

From what I understand, a PLN (or, personal learning network) is made up of all the resources (and, not just the people) a learner interacts with, and reaps knowledge from. In the context of the Internet for Educators course, some examples might be Twitter, Wikis, Blogs, YouTube Videos, Websites, Weebly, Mike Nantais, etc. etc. But, even though we discussed PLNs in an online context, I don't think that all PLNs are comprised of online resources, only. 

I think that each individual has a single, ginormous PLN that encompasses the learning that occurs in their entire life. I also think that this ginormous PLN can be separated into several smaller, more specific PLNS (as evidenced by the description of my "Internet for Educator's" PLN, described above).  These smaller PLNS could be networks comprised of resources for particular courses, topics, communities, interests, skills, lifestyles, etc. If we were to roll with this definition (which I sort of just made up based on my extrapolation from what we talked about last class), some of my PLNs would be:

• The Internet for Educators Course (Twitter, Wikis, Videos, Weebly, Mike Nantais)
• Boissevain School (Teachers, Coaches, Peers, Course Matter, Sports, etc.)
• My Social PLN, meagre as it may be (Twitter, Facebook, Game Night, TV, Novels, Magazines)
• And many more.

There is a strong chance I could be wrong about some of the things I just typed out, but I do think that terms mean different things to different people, and this is simply what the term means to me.

One of our tech tasks in in our I4Ed course is to create a diagram/map/something concrete with which to reflect and keep track of our PLNs. I think this is a good idea because I have a terrible memory, need to be organized in order to be sane, and am a visual thinker. I chose MindMeister as a medium with which to express my PLN for no particular reason. I just took a shot in the dark, really. I have not played with it too much, yet, but from what I have seen so far it is...

• Visually appealing (a necessity)
• Verrrrrry easy to use
• Customizable (another necessity)
• Practical
• Flexible
• Inclusive (I can insert images, videos, links, etc.)

Here is a link to my MindMeister, thing (which is far from finished, let me assure you). This will be followed by a funny picture of my cat.

http://www.mindmeister.com/368743968/brittani-s-pln

Like. A. Boss.

                                      Hammond out. 

SMART(or not-so-smart)watches?!

I am not sure if this topic meets the conditions of our class blog, or not - but I am going for it anyways, since it is actually a topic I have a high level of interest in right now, and I was not able to attend Thursday's class (therefore there are no new class topics for me to talk about.

SO, there isn't really a need for a blog-post summary, but I am a sucker for routine, so here it is:

1. SMARTwatches

SMARTwatches

I am sure that you are sitting back in your chair (or laying back in your bed, as I am doing right now after a long night's work at The Dock) wondering to yourself, "Why SMARTwatches, Brittani?" - well, the answer to this most pressing question, is that I am considering buying Trent one for his birthday (I am relying heavily on the hope that he is not following my blog as an example to model his after). Now, I guess these technological time-tellers are the next BIG thing, according to Trent and several online sources. I hadn't even HEARD about them until November, when Trent introduced me to the Pebble SMARTwatch - shows how up to speed I am.

Pebble SMARTwatch

I think that if I did end up buying the big bum a watch, it would be a Pebble. The Samsung version only works with Samsung phones (naturally) and the others I've read up on aren't very popular. It would seem that Pebble is the front-runner. BUT I am nervous that since SMARTwatches are fairly new, the kinks might not be quite worked out of them. I am also worried that Apple will release their version of the watch (undoubtedly to be called the iWatch) soon after I purchase the Pebble (Trent and I are Apple people now), since there is many a rumour floating around the interweb about such possibilities...

I am also wondering... are they worth it? I mean, the "old" Pebble is $150 dollars, which I think is reasonable, since if I am looking at buying a Nixon or Guess watch it's gonna be the same price or more, but the Pebble I am interested in is the new, sleek, higher quality one - that retails for almost twice as much... EEP. This begs the question - is it worth it (and, more importantly, can I reeeeeallllly afford this PLUS my eating-at-restaurants addiction?) 

I will now present you with a list of Pros and Cons, which I will try to make relevant to education:

PROS of Getting a Pebble:

• Largely customizable (bands, faces)
• Has apps to allow for increased life functionality (email, calendar, organizer, run-tracker, etc.)
• Makes for a great timer, or weight-loss tracker (think pedometer/calorie-counter) which would be handily worn at all times.
• This could be a good tool to use for coaching, or gym class (to track students' fitness)
• Sends discreet notifications that are accessible at all times
• Which is why I think this would be a great device for a teacher to have. This way, he/she would not have his/her phone out all the time (which could be distracting), but would still be notified when an important text/email/phone call was incoming. This could be done without interrupting class, as the watch vibrates to inform its wearer of any new notifications

CONS of getting a Pebble:

• Expensive
• Not well-branded yet (like Nixon or Guess)
• Not a lot of apps/software available yet, since they are quite a new concept
• Not necessarily necessary - I mean, isn't this why we have phones?
• Cannot text/email off the screen
• Apple will, inevitably, come out with something better - its only a matter of time

I would say this is a pretty even list. I am really, really curious to know what other people think about this topic, so any comments on this particular post are welcomed (though I will likely also just ask everyone what they think about this in class on... Tuesday [or do we have a guest speaker?]).

Are SMARTwatches a useful tool right now?

Oh, definitely.

Not. At. All.

Not yet - they need to iron out the kinks, and create more apps!

Poll Maker

I think that's all for now, folks!

Until next time...

Digital Identity... What, When and Where to Share?

I am going to try an experiment, and this experiment requires me to take a relatively large step out of my comfort zone, by sharing with you the actual (not-so-funny) goings-on in my life. My cat is ill. I realize that this may seem comical, being that I am a critically-acclaimed crazy cat lady, but alas, it is not. He (Jax) has just recently had an operation, re-enabling him to urinate. Approximately 2 weeks since, he has taken to vomiting profusely in all areas of the house. This is worrisome. Also, my grandfather has unexpectedly passed away today. I guess it just feels nice to tell someone who is sitting outside the situation, and who literally cannot reach over and give me an awkward hug. What a strange thing to say to people I hardly know - that is, if anyone chooses to read this particular post, - especially given my current mindset on digital identity (spoiler alert!).

Jax, Post-Operation-"Pee-like-a-Champ"

Alright, enough of that. Now, allow me to begin again, on a more light-hearted note, but forgive me if I am not as light-hearted as usual:



Well hello, semester four of four of my Brandon University Education degree. What a terrifying statement to be making... I simply cannot believe that in EIGHT months (fingers, toes, legs-like-a-proper-lady crossed) I will be heading my own classroom! Oh how I digress. The real topic on today's agenda is the formation of one's digital identity, not Ms. Britt's upcoming classroom shenanigans.

SO, topics for tonight:

1. Defining digital identity
2. My current opinion on digital identity
3. My digital identity's future

DEFINING DIGITAL IDENTITY

During our most recent Internet for Educators (IFE) class, we discussed a few key definitions, one of which was Digital Identity. According to Techopedia (I am not sure what its all about but it seemed legit) this is what it is:

A digital identity is an online or networked identity adopted or claimed in cyberspace by an individual, organization or electronic device. These users may also project more than one digital identity through multiple communities. In terms of digital identity management, key areas of concern are security and privacy.

My understanding of one's digital identity is:

All of the things one (knowingly or not, but for this post I would like to focus on the knowingly since the not is not something that can be controlled, therefore it is not something that is worth discussing) tosses out into cyberspace. These things could be in the form of an inebriated image on Instagram, a lascivious love letter on Facebook, or a shameful shout-out on Twitter.

MY CURRENT OPINION ON DIGITAL IDENTITY
Yes, I am aware that all three of the examples I have provided are not-so-awesome ones. Perhaps this tone is reflective of my current (yet, slowly altering) stance on forming a digital identity. Presently, I am of the mind that when it comes to forming a digital identity, less is more. I DO have Facebook, but the privacy settings are maxed out. I DO have Twitter, but I must approve you before you can read my tweets. I DO blog, but I make sure that there is nothing offensive (or more than mildly offensive) or too personal within my posts.

I am going to come right out and say it: I am generally afraid to broadcast information about my personality, interests, thoughts, feelings and opinions out there on the interweb for all to see. Why? Because once one tosses these things out there, one cannot simply take them back. They are out there, somewhere, FOREVER (dunh dunh dunh duuuuuuunh). What if what I think is fine to broadcast now, at 22 years of age, turns out not to be so fine in 2-3-4-5 years?? What if a potential employer finds it off-putting? What if what I said is boring, pretentious, irrelevant, or stupid? What if my MOM sees it (this is a joke, since my mom is technologically handicapped and will actually never see it, as she cannot even identify the "browser").

What if I am just a private person?

MY DIGITAL IDENTITY'S FUTURE
Nantais (who I will have to begin referring to by name, rather than my one and only fan, since this semester it is a requirement that others read my blog) believes that having a public digital identity is a good thing. And deep down, I must admit that this seems to be the direction the world is going in. I really got to thinking about this over the past few days, and here is where I am trying to be, mentally:

• By putting myself out there, I would be inviting others to learn about me, and therefore (if they like what they see), opening myself up to forming new and interesting connections
• There are many functions (including those which I have named earlier in my post) that allow the private to be separated from the public, so different digital identities can be created for different digital audiences (the same way in which we present ourselves differently to different audiences in "real life") 
• I find all of the new social networking possibilities interesting, and time-saving. I can share the goings-on in my life with my family and friends with the click of a (several) button(s) (on my keyboard which will spell the name of both the URL I am seeking and the message I wish to type into it). Sometimes it just makes sense. 
• It feels sort of nice to just toss things out there into the abyss 

As you could see in the second section of my blog post, I have not fully embraced this kumbaya mentality surrounding my digital identity. But, as you can also tell by the intro, I am giving it a trial run.

Until next week, (I mean, assuming that you do not think that what I have to say is boring, pretentious, irrelevant, or stupid, of course),

Britt

Back into the Swing of Things (...and already feeling the vertigo)

Well, hello! I hope you (my one and only fan) have had an excellent summer, just as I did. I must say that writing a new entry in my bloggety blog is rather bittersweet, as it signals the end of summer, but also the beginning of the final year of my "formal" education. That's right - one more summer 'til it's all about learning on the job (aka flying by the seat of my pants).

Although I do not technically continue my ICT education until next semester, I came across a tidbit that I just HAD to share. I can hear the snickers and feel the sneers (eager beaver, brown-noser, overachiever) from anyone who accidentally stumbles across this blog. In my defence, I feel academically obligated to share my newfound information since it actually has to do with technology AND education, thereby compensating for the large quantity of irrelevant cat photos and anecdotes that can be found in previous posts (though I can guarantee there are more to come).

You'd think I would come back from my summer rested and all rambled out...
apparently not so.

Okay, what I logged on to blog about is this:

1. Rivers Collegiate Institute's BYOD program

In five weeks I will be student teaching grade 7 and 8 at RCI under two delightfully different teachers, which, in itself, is exciting since my first week there was wonderful (it's nice to be back in a small-town school for a change). However, what is just as exciting (and far more relevant to the nature of this blog), is that I heard about Rivers' new BYOD (bring your own device) program. 

In this particular program, each grade nine student entering the school will be equipped with an electronic device of their choosing (either a laptop or tablet) that they will be responsible for throughout the entirety of their high school years. During this time they will be able to take it both to their classes AND to their homes. What is especially awesome about this program is that the device will be paid for by the school/division (?), and what is even more awesome is that each student gets to keep their device after they graduate. 

When I heard about Rivers' BYOD program, I got really excited for two reasons:

1. I got to see something I learned about in my classes occur in a real-life setting.
2. I think it's great that a small school like Rivers is not only embracing technology, but is also sending its students out into the world prepared to live in a society that is becoming increasingly advanced in this area.

I look forward to learning more about  BYOD programs and policies in the upcoming months during my time at Rivers, and also seeing a program put into action. 

And now I leave you with this:

Throwback 2011 :)

... I couldn't resist.

Oh the finality...

Can you believe that this is where we part ways? This is my last blog posting. Ever. Okay, well, maybe not ever - but for a while. Though I enjoyed writing in this blog, I just can't see myself keeping it up on a regular basis. Maybe if something really cool or hilarious happens in the near future, I will blog about it... but until then, I am leaving my bloggety blog behind.

So what should I talk about in my final blog posting? What a whole lot of pressure. Hmmm. How about:

1. Our ICT movie
2. My Present Lack of Time Management Skills
3. Etsy.com
4. A super sappy, emotional, and profound reflection on learning...           

OUR ICT MOVIE

As promised, I will be embedding my group's ICT movie in this blog post:

I actually feel a little bad about how we forced Mirissa into the main role (and by main role, I mean really the only role) in the movie... when she wasn't even in class to defend herself... Talk about a one-woman show. Oh well, she was an absolute star. I am really happy with the finished product ("Time Crunch"), since the editing was super high quality, considering it was done by some amateurs on a laptop. However, this fact only reinforces my desire to purchase a MacBook (the movie was edited using iMovie).
TIME OUT! 

AN IDEA: 

First, some context. My dad is guilting me into going on a trip to Mississippi with him over spring break. There are several reasons why I don't want to go (more of which will come to me during the trip, I'm sure): 

1. I'm 21
2. It's during spring break
3. My stepmother is coming 
4. We are going to Mississippi
5. The trip's purpose is to visit my 75 year old great aunt (who I hardly know)
6. We are driving. Yes, actually. Two days there and two days back. On the road. With my dad. And his wife. Who likes to talk. A lot. 

Okay, now here is where the IDEA part comes in: Since, if I agree to go on this trip, there are several factors which impede my ability to have a fabulous spring break - I will, therefore, give conditional agreement. I will sacrifice nine days of my freedom (and, quite possibly, my sanity) in exchange for half a MacBook. That will be bought in Mississippi. This way, we both get what we want. It's a pretty stellar deal, so I can definitely see this working in my favor. 

MY PRESENT LACK OF TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Generally, I am a fairly organized person. I get my work done as soon as it is assigned, because I don't see a point in letting it pile up over the weeks (since I am still going to have to do it anyways) so that when the due dates hit, I will lose my mind. Presently, however, I am losing my mind, since I let all my work pile up over the weeks... Hmm... So how am I dealing with this? Well, I feel that the best thing to do in a situation like this, really, is to put all my efforts into doing anything but my school work. Tonight, I am going to The Keg for appetizers, and then to Morgan's house for a little soiree. Tomorrow, I have volunteered to lead the Big Brothers and Sisters sleepover party. Saturday, I have volunteered to work (at my job, which is at Mum's Restaurant at the golf course). This leaves me with Sunday (before Monday, when the big sh*tstorm hits)... when I will most likely watch Dateline, play with my cats, and wash my walls in an attempt to avoid facing my impending doom. I definitely think that, at this point, this is the winning strategy. 

ETSY.COM

I have no money. I have no time. What I do have, however, is an addiction to online shopping. It started with eBay. Then Amazon. Now Etsy. And it is all Mirissa's fault. Etsy.com is a wonderful little website where lazy and unmotivated people (like me) can browse, and then purchase several useful, wonderful, and beautiful little items (shirts, shoes, phone cases, hair pins, etc.) that have been made and advertised by active, motivated people. The other night I spent an hour browsing  iPhone cases (I still don't have one), only to have the fruits of my labour carelessly snatched from me by PayPal. Stupid PayPal. Apparently, my living address has to match the address Mastercard has on file for me. I have no idea what address Mastercard has on file for me right now, since I have lived in four different houses in the past year (I'm not kidding). SO I completely wasted an hour of my life. BUT the point of this blurb was not to spread negativity. It was to describe what an excellent little website Etsy is. So check it out.

A SUPER SAPPY, EMOTIONAL, AND PROFOUND REFLECTION ON LEARNING

I'm not big on long goodbyes, so I think I will try to keep this short and to the point (said no English Major ever).... But really. I'll try. ICT was my favorite course this semester. This is really surprising to me, since I came into it being really intimidated by technology. But as the course progressed, I became familiar with a ton of resources, some of which I had known of before, and most of which I had not. I came to see technology as more of a friend, rather than a foe. I actually found myself enjoying class assignments. Not only does technology provide faster, more efficient ways of doing things, it also lets its user customize everything he/she does. I can't think of anything I did in this class that did not allow me to be creative, and to inject a little bit of myself into it. I really like my ePortfolio and website, since, as I said before, not only are they functional, but they are visually appealing and reflective of my interests and personality. These two tasks were probably my favorite of the course. However, I also enjoyed making a little digital story, making a movie, and learning how to use Prezis and Google docs. Everything we did in ICT was relevant, and meaningful. I also liked that the structure of the course wasn't rigid - if Mike came across interesting things, he would take time out of the tech tasks to share them with us, which was very helpful. There are so many resources I gained from the course because of this. A list:

• Slideshare
• Wallwisher
• iTalk
• SonicPics
• Creative Commons
• Symbaloo
• Blogger
• Weebly
• Wordle
• Archive
• Diigo
• Animoto
• Audacity
• Photostory
• Storybird
• Blabberize
• Xtranormal
• Boredshorts
• Faceswapper
• Poll Everywhere

This space up there, where I put my list... well, it looked a little bare, so I thought I better throw a cat pic in, for the sake of aesthetics. Yes, this is actually my cat. Yes, he is hanging from the top of a door. Yes, he did get there all on his own. Yes, I did have to rescue him.

And finally, the blog experience. I was quite hesitant to take on this experience, not because I don't like to write, but because I don't know if other people really care about what I have to write. I also find it difficult to write and reflect on a weekly basis (though I know I should) - and not just in a blog. I have tried to keep a journal three times this year (January-present), and have failed miserably. I just have a hard time getting myself to sit down and write. However, when I do finally do assume typing position, I find that I enjoy posting in my blog. I feel like I take sort of a stream-of-consciousness approach, and its sort of refreshing to get everything I am thinking out into words. I can't guarantee that I will keep posting in this blog after today, especially on a regular basis, but I have a funny little feeling that I will... maybe not next week, but someday. 

Until then, you will just have to recycle my old blog posts if you need a fix.