My Very First Blog

Wow – my own blog! I have now officially one-upped my kids. Actually, I remember the first time someone commented on one of my pictures on Flickr – I was absolutely hooked. The idea that people I don’t even know would be interested in something I had done was startling. If it weren’t for being extremely busy with my family and my job, I hate to think of how much time I might “waste” on the internet. I guess that’s what makes me a true digital immigrant – the fact that deep down I still feel that time spent on the “internet” is a waste.
I plan to use this space to further my thinking about IDT – specifically in K12 teacher training. It will be exciting to post my own thoughts on what makes good curriculum. In the event that an experienced professional stumbles across my blog and happens to think enough of it to comment, I may fall off my chair.
My philosophy? During an intro to education class (when I was considering teaching HS math) I discovered that I am an idealist of the truest form. I see the best in people and I follow the belief that everyone can be taught. Of course that job is easier when the subjects are willing participants. When they aren’t, my job becomes to discover what motivates them.
The constructivist approach of connective writing is an ideal way to bring a classroom full of varied students to the same beginning point. An assessment of connective writing is progressed-based and would not have to be compared to peers. Students at any level of learning can delight in coming to their own realizations about a research topic. For all people, writing blogs brings thoughts into reality. Connecting those thoughts to other people’s insights solidifies their meaning. When a person knows that what he writes will be available to the world, he is likely to be more careful about what he says. That in itself is enough motivation to research the topic more carefully. This is when connective writing occurs. When you can back up your opinions with concrete evidence, others are more likely to believe, and be convinced, by you. What power!