The Blogging Experience

Last Thursday I had to speak in front of about 40 people about the afterschool program I am currently participating in. I'm standing in front of my laptop that is projected on a large screen, pointing out the various projects we are accomplishing in our afterschool. I'm just rambling on and on. Then the moderator asks, "Could you explain what the term blogging means?"

So in that split second from her asking that question to my response, my mind is racing and turning gears from an audience that is familiar with blogging to an audience that is unfamiliar. Wow. It took me by surprise; although, I know that it shouldn't have surprised me. After all, I'm pretty new at this too.

The first time I blogged was last August in the Globaloria workshop. But then again, when Globaloria introduced it to me, I felt it was one of those tools that the world was already involved in, and I needed to get up to speed. In my Globaloria audience, I feel I'm often running to catch up just to keep up (blogging, learning Flash, wiki-ing). I am a learner in Globaloria; every day is a new application to learn and apply. But in another audience (as I found), I was a leader in this new application. Being a person of knowledge about blogging (at that very moment) stunned me.

So, being a bit of a perfectionist at heart, as well as a life-long learner, I decided to tackle the world of blogging, understand it to the best of my ability, and be prepared if I was ever asked again in front of an audience, "What is blogging?" At 7:00 a.m. on this Sunday morning, armed with my Google site, I sat exploring blogging. I explored by searching blogs from every subject that came to mind. I learned about peoples' opinions on movie reviews to companies' stand on political issues.

Then I turned to education. I clicked into Fred's blog titled Hacking Education. He intrigued me because he talks about "we need to completely reinvent the way we educate ..." Then he started talking about games in education, and I immediately thought about Globaloria. He writes: "In fact, I think games can play a big role in a new better form of education. The first time I really thought about this was when I read my friend Steven Johnson's book Everything Bad Is Good For You. Steven points out that game play is teaching our children skills they could never get in school. Another friend, Bing Gordon, formerly Chief Creative Officer of Electronic Arts, points out that math geeks, economists, and statisticians used to get their first taste of math as kids reading baseball cards, they now get it playing Madden Football. And the amount of math they can get to is at least an order of magnitude more challenging." I'm thinking: if math geeks, economists, and statisticians got their first taste of math reading baseball cards, can you imagine what our Globaloria students will rise to accomplish.

As I've written before, I'm often grateful to Globaloria for challenging me personally and professionally. But today, in reading Fred's blog, he has reminded me that Globaloria is lifting our students to a much higher level of learning than we could ever imagine. They are not just playing the games, but they are creating the games! I think our 14 year-olds in the Globaloria classroom would blow Fred away! We're not just talking about it. We are living, breathing, and providing our students 21st century learning in our Globaloria classroom.

Halloween

We're moving along. Group 1 and 2 have completed their flashing stars. They are now reading about action script. It has left them a little insecure and confused this week. Then yesterday, Tyler yelled out that he "got it!" He was so excited that I asked if he wanted to film a short tutorial for the rest of the class. He was thrilled. I thought it would be a good tool for the other groups, especially the groups with only one period. Unfortunately, there was another class in our computer lab, so we decided to postpone our filming.

The second groups with only one class period are moving along as well. They are reading and starting to create their stars. Karri has figured it out, and ran from student to student giving a mini tutorial. The tutorials are a little challenging for the students whom do not like to read. A couple of students have become computer buddies reading through the tutorial. I thought this was a good modification strategy.

Me, I'm feeling the students are beginning to go beyond my understanding of flash. This leaves me a bit uncomfortable in class, because I want to be able to answer their questions. I have to remind myself that this is a good PBL, and they are going to learn by exploring and doing it for themselves.

Refocusing

Ms. Barker and I discussed, prior to class today, that we need to focus on the second group. We found ourselves so involved with the first group, that by the time the second group comes in, it has been difficult to change course and focus on the second group coming in. Today we devoted our attention to the second group. I didn't realize how much they needed our guidance. It was a good day. They stayed on task. They checked out RTC's projects. They were impressed with their progress. I think it was inspiring for them to pay attention to their own work.

Reflecting

I have spent a couple of hours tonight (Sunday) catching up on my class, and those of others in Globaloria. I just finished reading Patrick Smith's progress note tonight. There were a couple of points he made that left me reflecting about my own experiences. Patrick talked about this being his second year in Globaloria, and how, with that prior knowledge, he finds it easier this year in starting up class. I look forward to knowing the complete process of putting together a game! I sometimes find myself insecure about the unknown stages. It's not a bad thing, mind you. It is being insecure that drives me to learn more and want to know more.

In another section of Patrick's progress note, he mentions giving a presentation about wikis. This, again, left me reflecting of my own experience. I introduced wikis in a presentation for the students in the math department a couple of weeks ago. I set up a wiki for their project. If it weren't for Globaloria, I wouldn't have the strong foundation and understanding of wikis. I could feel it from the Globaloria students, as well. The math teachers asked me to explain our project to three class at one time. I was in the commons area explaining to a room of about 70 math students about working with a wiki. Every single Globaloria student in my presentation gave out a "Yay," or some kind of positive recognition of the use of wikis.

My first impression of Globaloria was that it was all about creating games. But I think Globaloria's objectives are much more. It definitely bridges the old classroom to 21st Century learning and the use of technology integration.

Finally!!

Finally, finally, finally! After three attempts at trying to upload, then download The Guitar Heroes' paper prototype, I was finally able to do it at 11:00 p.m. tonight! The internet at our school has become sporadic, which has made uploading/downloading nearly impossible.

We're a bit stressed at our school, because we have so many grants going on at the same time. We're a model school, which means lots of training and implementation of new technology, PBLs, teaching strategies and techniques. We have the state EETT grant that I am associated with; the Globaloria; and an Afterschool grant running at this time. Our equipment is beginning to flow in, which is exciting. I tested our chalkboard tonight. It is an AMAZING tool! It easily replaces the Smartboard. Anyway, I 'm rambling on because the other grants have affected some of my time in Globaloria. I missed the webinar tonight because I was at the grocery store buying food for our Afterschool program that will be launched to the parents tomorrow. I'm feeling absolutely terrible about missing the webinar. But I am also thankful and absolutely grateful for the technology of today, because I will have the opportunity to log into the wiki and really not miss any information discussed.

Today in Globaloria we filmed the Gamevision group's paper prototype. I tried, again, to upload/download The Guitar Heroes paper prototype with no success at school. I was able to transfer their presentation from the flip camera to my computer while at school; then used my internet connection at home to upload/download the video onto Teachertube and then the wiki. I know they will be happy to see the outcome of their work. In class, Tyler is thrilled because he took a bouncing ball and had it ricochet off an imaginary wall into a black hole. It was terrific. The whole class gathered around to see it. Phyllis is also excited because she is mastering the layering on Flash. She gave a mini-tutorial to Tyler and Chelsea. We wanted to get the Fourth Column's new group picture since we lost Chris from the group, and picked up Cody. Unfortunately, Dillon was absent so we'll need to postpone. Cody is catching on quickly, and fits right in the class. He navigates easily in the wiki and blogging. He is currently filling out his community issues.

Monday morning

I was not in Globaloria Friday because I was helping the math department present a project-based lesson all day. We're reading electric meters, calculating the price per Kwh. We're excited about the project. Unfortunately, missing Friday's Globaloria, I did not know about Tyler breaking his wrist. I was ... need to run and film Guitar Heroes paper prototype.

Getting in Touch Again

Our school had been turned upside down the last couple of weeks. We unexpectedly lost one of our teachers. We also have had quite a bit of teachers out sick. I've been here in the building, but administration has utilized my flexible schedule to help cover these classes and positions. Yesterday, I got away and came into Globaloria. How I missed this group!!! Globaloria was the best part of my day yesterday!
The Alliances practiced their paper prototype for me. Ms. Barker then filmed the Alliances and the Fourth Column's paper prototype. I took the recording and uploaded it to Teachertube and then to their group page. They were excited today to see their work on their page. I was pleased that they were happy to see their progress!
The 2nd group continued working on their paper prototyping. I sat with Shane to help him upload his Flash text and publish. They are coming along.

Progress Report Time

So, today was the due date for progress reports, and I finished it up and sent it in! I have to thank Denise for reading over my report and providing input! Working on the report helped me realize more of my personal progress in Globaloria. It helped me identify my weaknesses - filling out my progress notes and contributing to my blog ... or lack of doing so. I am reflective today, thinking about what steps I need to take in order to perform better at these tasks. I think my charting in progress notes will be easier now that the startup stage of waiting on uploads is over. I will probably have more time the last five minutes of class to jot something down. I also have to overcome the blogging experience. I'm used to tackling my challenges, taking the necessary steps to overcome my challenges, and then arriving at an acceptable state of accomplishment all in the privacy of my own mind and space!!
So, here I am. I feel that it's New Year's eve (actually, it is Rosh Hashana today!), and I have set the resolution that I will blog more frequently!!

There is not a day that I am not learning something in Globaloria! I never thought I would have a need for RSS feeds, but here I am going to my Reader to pull up what my students have written in their blog, or I'm looking at what they've done on their wiki. I added Steward to my RSS today because I noticed that he had written a tip sheet for record-keeping. I'm always open for all tips! I also found myself playing games and getting to know more of what my students are learning. We're getting to know our students and learning a little about their strengths and weaknesses. This information will be helpful when we put them into groups. We thought Denise had a great idea (info we got from her blog!) to create a survey for the students. We're putting one together for next week so that we can better place them. I'm pleased with our progress!

Information Sharing

Yesterday I had an opportunity to explain Globaloria to a new teacher. The students are moving along nicely. They are beginning to get in the habit of visiting their blogs and making notations on their progress notes. We have told them that they do not have to blog every day, but that we would like to see them either blog in their own account or look at another's blog and make a comment at least five times a week. They have adapted well. The students' blogs are beginning to reflect that they are more at ease with the process. They are playing games and talking about their thoughts and comments on the games they play.

Getting Started

Globaloria has incredibly enhanced my teaching in technology!! And it's only been two weeks of school!! I am amazed at how comfortable I am feeling at navigating the wiki. And in showing the students how to set up their blogs, I am feeling more at ease with its use! When the RSS feed was introduced to us this past seminar, I thought I wouldn't have a need to use this tool, but I was wrong. I have my students on my g-reader, and I am constantly going in to look at what they're doing. The repetitiveness is wonderful for me! I look forward to learning more!!

What are my thoughts for Globaloria?

I am excited about Globaloria. I think it has the potential to be the most desirable class in our school! My concerns are minute. They involve technical problems and application holdups. The technical problems would be out of my control. What would we do with the students' time if the computers were down? Also, if we come to a stopping point, will we be able to solve our problems in a timely manner. I wouldn't want to lose the students' enthusiasm and interest. Those are the small issues I anticipate.

Starting Globaloria

Sooo much information!! Wow! I am looking forward to fully digesting all the tools and features offered in Flash that were introduced today. The leaders: Idit, Itay, Lee, Shannon, Steward, Daniel, and Brian were a wealth of information.

My wonderful group (Denise, Inga, Lisa, and Richard) came up with a game idea. The fun part was getting instructions on how to put it on paper and then onto Flash. I look forward to adding layers to the program we started.