I just created my first personal learning network (PLN). This was created from the site Pearltrees. It allows me to connect all of the websites I visit on a regular basis into one area. This is supposed to make it simple to find and follow websites and people quickly. So far a couple websites that I have connected with my PLN are AAPHERD, Surfline, and ESPN. These three website are ones that I frequently look to for news and info. Hopefully it will guide and introduce me to many other useful information both recreationally and professionally.
The internet has made it possible to access information easier than ever. It has give us the opportunity to find and research anything we can think of. You want to know about something, type it into one of the many search engines and you'll find what your looking for. Vacations, recipes, how-to videos, news, it can all be found on the internet in a matter of seconds. Personally, I use the internet to find information with what is happening around me daily. Yahoo news gives me a quick view of the news all over the country. Surfline and the weather give me information on possible outdoor activities. Before I drive out of town I am able to find traffic info and alerts. It is easy to get caught up when looking on the internet though. If I am looking up something on you tube I always find other clips that are interesting and seem to get off-track too often. Staying focused can be a difficult thing to do. Now that I am using the internet to continue my education I have to make sure I stay focused on the topic at hand. Keep educational learning and recreational learning apart. I am excited and encouraged with regards to using technology to enhance my teaching but their are frustrating times as well. Too often right now I have no clue if I am doing something correctly. I get frustrated because it takes a long time to get it right. And then I still am not 100% sure. I am treating this like I am one of my own students. When students tell me its too hard and cant do it, I respond by saying if you can already do it then there wouldn't be any learning happening. There are strengths that I have as well as weaknesses. I like to think that I chose physical education as my career because of my love to be outdoors. I am not someone that likes to be inside reading a book or sitting in a coffee shop all afternoon. I want to be riding my bike, playing catch, basketball, surfing, skiing. These are in my "sweet spot". Being a physical education teacher allows me the chance to play at work and at the same time introduce all of these thing to students. Being active is where I look for personal satisfaction. If I could, I would wear shorts and flip flops everyday. I wore a tuxedo during my wedding ceremony but as soon as the pictures were taken it was shorts and flip flops. My wife and I were married outside. I feel if we rented some big hall and had everything catered it wouldn't fit our personality. A weakness is formal events with suit and ties. Another weakness is computers. Of course I am learning but it is a slow process. Working on a computer makes me feel I am relying on someone else to complete the job, in this case the internet and weebly. The video talked about working your on your strenghts, which is what I do everyday. Starting this week I have began to work on a area I am unfamililar with and unsure about. I'm hoping to be a much more complete educated person I have never been someone that is dependent on my computer or even my cell phone. If I'm at home my cell phone is laying on my counter. I always have friends that tell me they sent me a text or called me but never got an answer. My response is because I was busy, Ill call you back when I check my messages. Many times I feel that people get offended that I don't carry my phone 24/7. But I don't want to hear that their going to the gym or just had pancakes for breakfast. It is too easy for anyone to post a tweet or blog sitting behind a screen. Your brain to mouth filter is turned off. Inappropriate things are said that sure wouldn't be said face to face. Athletes can be the worst. Did you read the news about the tweets sent out after Michael Sam was drafted into the NFL? Its a new kind of bullying. Now That I have a blog and twitter I'm hoping to find positive useful information to help me in my education. I don't want to read all those useless comments but want to find a new way to gain experiences for myself and my family. I want to feel a little more informed, not like I As an educator I want my PWP to represent me in a way that will allow my students to connect with what I am teaching them at school. I want to show students that I practice what I preach. This PWP will give students the opportunity so connect with me outside of school. They will be able to get ideas through my experiences, and be able to comment/ respond in a way that they may not feel comfortable expressing in a regular classroom setting. This is an opportunity for each of us to learn and grow. |