Happy 1st Anniversary to my Blog!
(My First Blog Bost)
I just passed my one year anniversary of blogging. Hard to believe just over a year ago I barely knew what a blog was let alone a wiki, ning, Twitter or the words web2.0 and PLN.
I had a crash course in learning all these terms at NYSCATE during a day long session with David Jakes. I had actually signed up to take a class on video conferencing. When it was canceled I had to sign up for a second choice. I’ve been thankful ever since for having to do that. I walked into that session with no idea who David Jakes was or what I was about to get myself into! By the end of the day I had signed onto Twitter, Google and Delicious. I had made my first blog post, Google reader was up and running and I had been introduced to wikis, nings, Google maps and Google Earth. As you can imagine my head was spinning by the end of the day. I had taken a bag of papers to grade and a book and magazines to read in the evening while at the conference. Those went untouched as I began my journey into this strange new world.
How has that one workshop had an impact on my life?
- Well, I’m pretty much addicted to my computer. I don’t have internet on my phone because I’m afraid I’ll become addicted to that too and I think my family would draw the line at that!
- I learned to do what we tell our young students to do all the time-SHARE. I no longer find myself in the mode of this is mine and I don’t want anyone else getting credit for it.
- I started on Twitter. Like many others I didn’t get it at first but it didn’t take long to see its value. When Twitter was having some technical difficulties during NECC I tried Plurk. For the summer I was on both but once school started I couldn’t keep up with both so now I spend my time on Plurk.
- I joined Delicious but before I became hooked on that Diigo came along and I joined that as well. I like Diigo but I’m not using it as the social network that it is.
- I belong to way too many nings. Many of them have ended up not having much activity. But three of my favorites are Artsnacks by Kevin Honeycutt, Projects by Jen by Jen Wagner and Setting the Standard by Melanie Holtsman. I just signed up to be a mentor on Artsnacks so I actually put it on my Google calendar to go there every Sat. to comment on at least 3 pieces of work.
- In April I started a ning for elementary tech teachers. Three people told me they thought it was a good idea. Now, 8 months later it has grown to include middle school teachers and has over 200 members. I’m so pleased with the great group of dedicated teachers that have made it successful.
- I have flickr pro account and have joined a few groups but am most active in Photo Fridays.
- I applied for the Inspired Teacher award from Inspiration and won.
- I applied for a NYSCATE grant and won. I was very happy with my beginner’s luck on those two.
- I am a very quiet/shy person. I attended NECC in San Antonio and worked on being a little more outgoing by speaking to the people near me in presentations and hanging out on the fringes of the Blogger Café.
- I have also joined facebook. That I use mainly for keeping track of my family including nieces and nephews.
- I have started over 10 wikis. I’m getting ready to start using my first one with the students actually adding and editing work.
- I completed my first truly collaborative project, Scary Spuds with Amber Coggin’s class in Alabama.
- I’m working on another wiki project, Winter Wonderland, with Amber Coggin in Alabama and Vicky Sedgwick in California.
- I learn new things on a daily basis because of my PLN.
What I’m hoping the next year brings:
- I just bought a microphone. I haven’t tried Skype yet but that is one of my goals. I’m hoping to try it out with my sister tomorrow.
- I put in a proposal for a Best Buy grant. I’m guessing my beginner’s luck is wearing off. But I’m hoping to find other grants to apply for. Grants for new equipment will be important as NY faces tough economic times.
- I hope to do more collaborative projects.
- I hope to slowly get more classroom teachers using some of the new tools with their students and for themselves.
- I’m looking forward to attending my second NECC and rooming with 3 of my online PLN friends!
- I want to get back to reading blogs for 15 minutes a day again. I should set that as my goal before clicking on Plurk!
My blog continues to be a place for my rambling thoughts. I’ve never considered myself a writer but I have learned to enjoy putting my thoughts down in this blog. I’ve come a long way in a year and I know with the help of my PLN I’ll continue to grow. Thank you!
Please share your accomplishments from the last year and what you’re hoping the next year will bring. I’d love to hear from you.
Filed under: Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged: Amber Coggin, David Jakes, Jen Wagner, Kevin Honeycutt, Melanie Holtsman, NECC, Ning, NYSCATE, Plurk, Vicky Sedgwick
Happy first birthday and what a great journey. Looking forward to hearing how you go with Skype.
Comment Challenge and involvement with the Student Blogging Competition are high on my accomplishments for the year because it was great to see others grow.
Here’s to the next 12 months.
I am inspired at the renaissance in personal learning that you share here and will share it with other would-be reinvigorated learners. The journey you share has obviously been healthy for you but I can only imagine what dividends it has paid for your learners. I bask in the glow of your enthusiasm!
Sue and Kevin-Thanks for stopping by!
Sue, I forgot to mention the challenges- your Comment Challenge and Steve Dembo’s 30D2BBB. I haven’t finished Steve’s yet but they are definitely a help. Open PD with Darren Draper was another great resource. I met you through Twitter and Open PD. Thanks for all that you do. You are an inspiration.
Kevin, you’re right I am a reinvigorated learner. It’s a good feeling. I am constantly amazed at all that you do and how you always keep your focus on the kids. Thanks for being a great role model.
Long live your blog! If you could achieve all of this in a year, just imagine what next year could bring!
Hey, Nedra! When I checked here I discovered you are a celebrating a one year blogging aniversary, too. I enjoyed reading what you wrote – in many ways your journey has been like mine. I am a quiet person too, but being involved online has helped me to have more courage to have a “voice.” Congratulations on one year and all your many accomplishments!
I am so happy that you started this journey, because it introduce me to you. It is so amazing to see all you’ve accomplished in a year. That must have been some session with David Jakes. You did more in one day than many do in one year.
The ning you started has really become my favorite ning because it is specifically what I do day to day. I share your “fear” of a real addiction if I had Internet access on a cell phone (or worse an iPhone which I truly want).
Here’s to a wonderful next year on your blog and elsewhere.
Happy Blog birthday Nedra!
I’m proud to be a part of your PLN and am glad you’re benefitting from Setting the Standard. I feel the same way about nings at times, so we try to keep it fresh.
Congratulations on your accomplishments this year! I like the way you set goals for yourself for the next year and I hope to connect up with you at NECC this summer!
Melanie
Happy Blogiversary!
(I am almost at the one-year mark with my blog, too, but not quite.)
I agree with Ann about the ning you started. I, too, belong to several nings (truthfully, I am not sure how many or which ones anymore) but the Elementary Tech Teacher’s ning is the only one I try to check regularly. It’s so useful to me, and I feel that there is a very active core group of teachers there. It is great.
I do miss you on twitter (plurk never caught on for me), but there are so many places online to connect and see what people are doing…it’s all good.
I look forward to seeing all that you achieve in the next year, too! And I don’t believe that it was just beginner’s luck either that helped you win those grants.