There is nothing like a brick and mortar registration...to make one appreciate an online school. While I am excited for my daughter to experience her first brick and mortar college...and I am even trying to talk my mother in returning to college and take advantage of the free courses for senior citizens, I can honestly say I will never attend a residential college again. My mother attended this event with us and told my daughter of the long lines we stood in as I was registering for my first college experience at UoF 20+ years ago. I appreciate the opportunity to complete some of the tasks online before attending the residential orientation.
I like having choices and options. I prefer the option to finish a course within four to twelve weeks depending on my work and volunteer schedule. I prefer to produce products used in the online learning environment, incorporate rubrics, and interact with others in an online environment.
I have thrived in the online educational environment and can only imagine where I would be today had virtual schools existed when I was younger. I love reading the blogs of teachers who incorporate technology, the educational technologists that are bridging the digital divide, and the students of today who can share their work and interact with other students growing up digital. I can only imagine the places they will go with technology tools that our generation can only imagine will exist.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Wii Fit
Wii Fit - Gotta love the gadget generation. While the articles are posted about the benefits of Wii Fit for seniors and our wounded warriors, but very few articles about the Wii Fit helping our students. How great would be to have a PE/PT class where the students had fun and moved. If the Wii Fit is good enough for our wounded warriors and senior citizens for physical therapy and social interaction, then incorporating the Wii Fit where our students are supports the mind body spirit interaction.
I live in the sandwich generation. Caring for a parent and a child and living in a true technical digital divide but the Wii Fit allows us to sweat, compete, keep track of our progress and enjoy a few laughs.
I support Wii Fit activities for all age groups, regardless of the institution being public or private. I can see more participation from the students and do away with those failing grades when a student refuses to "dress out." Does anyone have those horrible memories of unfashionable gym suits?
My mother and I tend to knock out our workouts in the morning and participate in at least one activity from the Yoga (great stretching exercises even if yoga isn't your thing), strength training, aerobics, and balance games. The activities bring attention to breathing and balance (or lack of) to the participant's attention. The side effect definitely incorporates "Laughter is the best medicine." My daughter does some activities with us...when she is the winner or in 1st place. She does other activities when no one is watching. But it is the same way in a gym and for many middle and high school students who are not comfortable in "dressing out" for gym class.
Another opportunity to incorporate technology into the classroom and counteract the inactivity of everyone who grew up playing outside until the street lights came on.
Is anyone incorporating the Wii Fit for students? Share your links, pictures, and stories.
I live in the sandwich generation. Caring for a parent and a child and living in a true technical digital divide but the Wii Fit allows us to sweat, compete, keep track of our progress and enjoy a few laughs.
I support Wii Fit activities for all age groups, regardless of the institution being public or private. I can see more participation from the students and do away with those failing grades when a student refuses to "dress out." Does anyone have those horrible memories of unfashionable gym suits?
My mother and I tend to knock out our workouts in the morning and participate in at least one activity from the Yoga (great stretching exercises even if yoga isn't your thing), strength training, aerobics, and balance games. The activities bring attention to breathing and balance (or lack of) to the participant's attention. The side effect definitely incorporates "Laughter is the best medicine." My daughter does some activities with us...when she is the winner or in 1st place. She does other activities when no one is watching. But it is the same way in a gym and for many middle and high school students who are not comfortable in "dressing out" for gym class.
Another opportunity to incorporate technology into the classroom and counteract the inactivity of everyone who grew up playing outside until the street lights came on.
Is anyone incorporating the Wii Fit for students? Share your links, pictures, and stories.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
One week until Freshman orientation
One week until Freshman orientation for my child. Like her high school graduation, I am probably more excited about my daughter beginning her second college experience. Her first experience was with Lead America (http://www.lead-america.org) at George Washington University in the CSI Program. She experienced dorm life with other high school students and she knew when she was coming home. I like that students today have options from attending computer programming camps, fitness camps, and pre-college opportunities.
This one is a little different. Her first day of school is her 18th birthday. The college is a local 4 year college, she will use the HOPE Scholarship, and she will meet a diverse group of adult learners in a very different format from high school.
I am glad she has options. She is still considering the Air Force and of course there are the multiple apprenticeships, internships, cooperatives, fellowships, grants, and scholarships available through eScholar, OPM's student site (http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp). The Air Force is still another option but so is an internship with Google, MoMA, Publix, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, opportunities with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps...so many options and no requirement to pick a career and stick with it for 20+ years for a pocket watch and a send off dinner.
While we are preparing her for her journey, I just completed my fourth course with multiple reading, researching, and writing assignments. I am enjoying a 2 week break before starting on a class titled, "The Connected Classroom - Curriculum and Technology". I love the courses where we develop products in support of online courses. I will keep up with the blog since the homework assignments and job interviews are on a two week hiatus.
This one is a little different. Her first day of school is her 18th birthday. The college is a local 4 year college, she will use the HOPE Scholarship, and she will meet a diverse group of adult learners in a very different format from high school.
I am glad she has options. She is still considering the Air Force and of course there are the multiple apprenticeships, internships, cooperatives, fellowships, grants, and scholarships available through eScholar, OPM's student site (http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp). The Air Force is still another option but so is an internship with Google, MoMA, Publix, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, opportunities with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps...so many options and no requirement to pick a career and stick with it for 20+ years for a pocket watch and a send off dinner.
While we are preparing her for her journey, I just completed my fourth course with multiple reading, researching, and writing assignments. I am enjoying a 2 week break before starting on a class titled, "The Connected Classroom - Curriculum and Technology". I love the courses where we develop products in support of online courses. I will keep up with the blog since the homework assignments and job interviews are on a two week hiatus.
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