This can't be it!

When I set up my blog a mere five weeks ago, I had no idea how much learning would be packed into one small space! What an adventure it has been! A steep learning curve coupled with tight deadlines kept things very exciting!

I admit, I had a rough start in this course. I seriously considered dropping the course after the first full week. I can remember one beautiful sunny afternoon at the beginning of July sitting outside on our deck trying to read and write on the laptop while my three year old son played in the backyard with my husband and our (not even five month old) baby swung in her swing. I was so frustrated. I felt like giving up -- what was the point of missing the summer with my family if I was just going to struggle and do poorly?

So, what did I do? This is the part of the story you are expecting to hear that I had some kind of epiphany or became determined, but no, sorry, that is not my style! I looked up how much money I would lose by dropping the course at that point, plus the money I had invested into our mobile modem and data plan and, honestly, I am just too cheap! That was way too much money to just walk away from. So half-heartedly, I decided to stick it out! Wow, not exactly what dreams are made of!

However, if I could have seen/heard/read myself now I would never have made that decision with such a heavy heart! I know that I still have so much to learn and the journey really has just begun, but I am amazed by what I have (we all have) accomplished in this short time in EDES 501.

I started to discuss some of our learnings with my friends and family and realized how knowledgeable and passionate I'd become in these past six weeks. I am excited to share my new interests and information -- It seems I'll share it whether people want to listen or not!

Without a doubt, Animoto was my favourite find from our course. I had a lot of fun creating my short videos and look forward to creating more, especially with an educators account that provides access to longer videos and more features. (I will wait to apply for one, until I am closer to returning to work.)

My least favourite was Twitter. (Sorry Joanne!) I do feel that my thoughts are in line with Doug Johnson's. (As he recently explained why he "killed" his Twitter account.) I will, however, revisit it before giving up! There are many people who find it is worth while, so I must be overlooking something!


Wow! What's Next?

In my blog posts I had included a "what's next" because I felt like I was only scratching the surface of the intricacies and potential within our Web 2.0 tools, not to mention others that weren't covered!

When I look back over the things that I want to explore further or "re-explore" it is a little overwhelming! So, here is my "to do" list...

• Photo sharing - I would like to explore more photosharing sites. While I really enjoyed Smilebox as a fun, easy to use vehicle to share my photos, it is missing a lot of what makes photo sharing a popular web 2.0 tool, like tagging and on-line storage. There is likely a tool or an application that would allow me to create a "scrapbook", but also utilize the functions of a web 2.0.


• Video sharing - I would like to experiment with creating a video aimed at covering content, such as the slowmation videos for science concepts. Before I could expect my students to create a video, I would need to be more knowledgeable!


• Social bookmarking - When I explored social bookmarking I had said that I would like to explore "Webnotes", but I have to say that I love Delicious! I had never even heard of social bookmarking, but it has become one of my "can't live withouts". I know I should continue to explore new tools, but maybe for now I will just focus on reading everything I have marked "TOREAD" in Delicious!


• Podcasting - Well, I have a lot to do here! My podcasting experiment did not go very well and I need to explore how that process could have been smoother for me! What I will likely do is revisit my wonderful classmates' podcast blogs for ideas or starting places since I had read about many tools and sites that sounded much better than my fumble in podcasting! I also would like to push myself to become more accustomed to listening to podcasts. There are so many great podcasts that caught my eye (or ear?), but I haven't made them a part of my routine.


• Virtual Library - Waaaaayyyyyy down the road, I would like to develop a virtual library for our school. I feel like I still have a lot to learn about technology and the library, and, well, land a TL job before I tackle that one!


• Wikis- I will develop my PMS wiki in much greater depth and I look forward to utilizing it with my friends. (Since my Wiki blog post my friends have joined and have started to contribute! I am excited.) I also look forward to creating a "Book Buddy Review" wiki with our reading buddies similar to one I found created by Grade Four and One students. This is an exciting project!


• Multimedia Sites- Well, we all know I love Animoto! I'll continue to play with this tool and, hopefully, I'll have found a photo sharing site that I like that is compatible with Animoto. I also know that I have to learn so much more about VoiceThreads. The potential for this Web 2.0 tool is amazing!


• Social Networking - I will continue to use Facebook for my own entertainment and social connections, but am excited by the Nings I have joined for professional development. I am impressed by what I have found on the Classroom 2.0 Ning, but I know I have only scratched the surface and it requires more attention.


• Twitter - Joanne has persuaded me that I should continue to give Twitter a try despite my misgivings. So, I need to "recommit" to Twitter and become a more active follower and utilize Twitter for my own professional development... well, I'll try!
  


• Blogs & RSS - While I have considered using igoogle for management, I really just need to continue to make utilizing the RSS feed (currently using Google Reader) part of my daily routine and continue to add fabulous sites (and fun, frivolous ones too) to my subscriptions. The professional development opportunities are endless!


• Class discussions & blogs - I would like to reread many of our posts (WebCT and blogs) and make sure I have added our great finds to Delicious and recorded the significant points made by my esteemed classmates.



• Buy an iTouch. I HAVE to have an iTouch to continue my own Web 2.0 growth and professional development. An iTouch would play an integral role... Kidding! Sorry, that point was a bit of a wish list included just for my husband! :)

I have developed some great personal learning networks that I hope to maintain. I will continue to follow my classamtes' blogs for further developments and hope to continue the supportive relationships that have developed over the past six weeks. I would have no hesitation bouncing an idea off them in the future as we all continue to push ourselves. I am also starting to develop new relationships through the nings that are an exciting addition to my professional learning community.

I am excited to read Curtis Bonk's book "The World Is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education". I have flipped through it and read bits and pieces, but am excited to truly dive into this great resource! There are also other books that have been recommended through this course and I hope to peruse them as well.


Thank you!

I would like to extend a big thank you to all of my EDES 501 classmates and to Joanne for sharing this fantastic learning adventure with me! I almost feel that we've all been through a war together! We've shared our highs (wedding and lacrosse tournaments), our lows (computer glitches and late nights) and everything in between with each other.

I am honoured to have worked with all of you and to have gotten to know you over this course and I would be thrilled to work with you all again. I hope our journeys continue to overlap and never end!

My first blog post was titled "Here I am!", but I really feel like I am here NOW! Thank you for following me on (the beginning of) my journey!