Nothing more interesting than a classroom full of excited learners!

The second day of  my “Distance Education Tools” class was full of so much energy you could just feel it in the air. We had mini-workshops on Twitter from John Vasas, Wiki’s from Tina Smith, and Podcasting from Joey Mittelman. I love listening to the questions and watching everyone get excited about seeing something for the first time that they had just heard about before.  I have tried really hard to create a reason for the students to continue to use the tools throughout the week so that they can solidify some of their skills.  I think that too often in a class like this you just see it done, but then you can’t remember how to use it later, so you never do. The continued use will hopefully allow them to ask questions while the experts are still there.  I love to hear how the students are already planning how to use some of the tools in their own teaching and job applications.

When you really think about it, a class like this can be very transformative.  We are now giving our students skills and tools to use, that will change the way they use their acquired knowledge. We (and I include myself in this since I am learning as much as anyone) are gaining power.  Power to make changes for others that will enrich lives.  Very exciting! Can’t wait for tomorrow.  I am sure it will be just as good.

I’m still swimming!

Well, swimming instead of drowning is a good thing I guess.  The TTIX conference has been incredible for me.  There have just been too many things that I wanted to learn about but didn’t quite dare to get into.  For one thing non-users seem to like to feed you stories about how technology will take over your life if you let it. As if technology only takes away from your quality of life! What about all the things it adds. Collaborating and learning from people who share my same interests is so exciting to me.  Now if I can just get over my online shyness phobia. I guess that will just have to be one blog, Twitter, Facebook post at a time. Wahoo, I like swimming even if I am just treading water right now!