Donna's Blog Account

2004-04-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Time flies. I thought about last week's blog, and considered it done. Only it wasn't.
However, I am progressing with my final project. I had planned for a 3 day project: one day for simple research, 2 days for powerpoint preparation, but it has taken 5 class days in the lab. We could go on, but I have to stop now. I've learned many things, and if I had to do it again, which I will, I would be better prepared. But the students have enjoyed the time in the lab, and I am happy to say that I did too. I did have the benefit of having the computer instructor in the lab from time to time, and had to ask him for help twice today.
The students answered questions about the lab today and saved them with their presentations; now I get to read their answers. That should be interesting

2004-03-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

I've decided to do a Web Quest in the computer lab at school for our computer project (and thus the subject of my paper). There are so many projects that I'd rather do, but since I don't know their capabilities on the computer, and they need to study some French cities, we'll do a quest of cities in France. Each student has chosen a major city and all the information will be new to the students, so maybe that will keep their interest. The fact that we get to go to the lab and have a new experience will be energizing. I must come up with a set of instructions and guidelines for content. I think the presentation to class will be in a simple power point form, so that we can use the computers a little more.
I had to get permission to either displace a class that meets in the computer lab or join that class while my students work quietly on their projects. I'm waiting for the teacher's answer. I hope to get the students to the lab this week. Like tomorrow. I want to get started on this paper, but we have to do the project first. I need a title too. (I wonder if I should request that my French classes always meet in the computer lab in future years...) That way, we'd have access to computers for the many projects that are available....hmmm.
I'm liking the computer these days....

2004-03-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Haven't blogged in a while, although I really like the blogging thing. I've been checking out the syllabus for 1120 and I think the online material is very good. It would take a student far beyond the 30 minutes per week to go through everything there. I wonder how many actually take advantage of all there is to offer there...I found so many links that I could go on for hours and hours just visiting those sites...there's even a "Learn Creole" site, with the grammar rules, etc. This is so good, I think, and I enjoy doing the exercises myself for practice.
I did find 2 typos, which I reported to the company using the comments and suggestions link...I'm sure they'll thank me:).

2004-02-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

Well, challenges never cease...after a great, busy evening I find out that just before my daughter's performance last night, someone had stolen her bag out of (her dressing room) while she was warming up onstage...She was in a preview of Les Miserables, the musical our high school is performing...she's Cosette...quite an incredible feat for kids their ages...I wondered why she had changed her hairstyle...but everything was in the bag, her ID, keys, makeup, cell, various things that were special to her, plus her dinner. She was getting ready to go onstage to sing "One More Day", among other things, and had no shoes, no way to makeup for stage...it was a trying time for her...but she composed herself, and I certainly didn't know anything was wrong by watching the performance..somehow they found more dancing shoes, etc....someone called us using her cell phone at 11:00, but wouldn't talk...it's a little weird knowing that someone out there has all her personal info as well as keys to our house and her car. So instead of working on my personal essay or my reading for this class, we spent the evening dealing with this...But I was inspired by her determination to "go on with the show"...as she and 2 others that it happened to overcame this obstacle and we are thankful...

I'm working on my personal essay for grad school. Actually, I'm reading up on it as well as writing thoughts to organize later...not much later, I've got to get this out. I love to write, but it causes me a lot of stress; mostly it's the not knowing how to do something that causes the stress...so I educate myself...I'm in that process now.

This has been my first year to teach French at a junior high level. They have one semester...really very basic. The first semester group was ok...they learned quickly, we played alot, did alot of board work, games, etc. and I learned alot about
the age group...but this semester, I am not really enjoying it even though I just had to start all over with the plans I made first semester. I understand that each class has it's own personality, but honestly, this group is so different...it's a very small class; the disadvantage to that is that each person's effect on the class atmosphere seems magnified. There is one boy... just turned 13, angry at his dad, taking out on his mom coupled with trying to be silly as boys his age can do...and guess what, in class I get to take her place, so guess where his attitude is aimed (altho he does like me and seems to want to learn French)? Sometimes...actually it's like dealing with two different people. On his good days, it's bearable, but he came back Friday after a 3 day suspension...I had to "kick him out of class"...I'm finding that even the language is a battle between his parents, his Dad speaks Spanish, his mom loves French...and I'm caught in the middle...I guess he's caught in the middle...I spent an hour talking with the dean, , and talking with his mom...I guess ultimately whether he stays in the class or goes will be up to him; he will decide that by his behavior. At least I have support and do not have to put up with being abused by students (for very long, not that they don't do it).

Then there's "Miss I'm in here for an easy A cause we speak French at home"...an enthusiastic young lady who has never written French, but constantly wants to know everyone else's grade so she can assure herself that she did the best...I want to challenge her...and use her to help the others..but with her remarks about how easy everything is, and "why can't you other students do this as quickly as I can" makes it
un-fun, let's say. Of course, beginning English would be easy for any of us too, I'd say, but she couldn't be placed in a higher level, because she cannot write beyond what we have covered...or un-covered.
Am I complaining?
Actually, this group has come a long way. All of them are from other countries, and were somewhat embarrassed to admit their nationalities when we discussed that. It has been encouraging to watch them go from teasing each other about their ethnic background, to being proud to say, Je suis de Haiti, or Je suis russe, or Je suis de Cuba....etc.
Ok...we've come a long way...I'm evaluating the age levels that I seem to have the most success with...I wonder what university level is like? hmmm...

2004-02-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

I think I just erased my blog entry...Great.

2004-02-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Time flies...so do thoughts...I have so many that I want to catch in print before they drift away...even one day away from the blog finds the course of thought changed....I had some really good stuff the other night...
I'm going to open a private blog, because I find that writing my thoughts really is cathartic ...and I have music and poetry as well as other creative, spiritual thoughts that need to be uncensored...just allowed to flow. I have not been too successful in handwritten journaling, but I find that I can type faster than I write and I really enjoy blogging. I think my blog is chatty, but hey,...in the altered words of that old song... it's my blog, and I can chat if I want to...besides, it's fun.

As far as this class: my home computer monitor went out Thursday night...I hope that's all it is b/c I've got stuff on there that 's important. Wasn't someone just talking about how important backup is? I've got the lap top, so that's good.
I haven't been able to record my music for my pp presentation yet. And I noticed yesterday that part of the presentation is missing...I know I typed it in, because I printed it out, but when I was checking my site, some of the words are not there. I also have to change the green color, and I am not finished with the animation.

Actually, I'm not finished with anything...I've only got a good start on each thing. I can see the possibilities...I want to insert some more pictures on the websearch... I have so many pictures, thanks to the digital camera...no longer rolls and rolls of undeveloped film... back to the websearch, I'm not even sure if I did it correctly, but it's there. I'd like more color and detail. I also know that my site is blocked from other people, but haven't been able to fix that yet.I have asked for help and it is forthcoming.
I'm beginning to really enjoy using the tools now. It doesn't seem as impersonal as it used to. I love to read, but I just couldn't get used to the idea of "curling up with a good computer" ...
and I love to be with people....but I'm glad to say that I'm becoming more comfortable being on the computer so much..things aren't quite as "out of sight, out of mind" especially since I can print out what I really want to read. And with the laptop I'm not limited to just one area of the house...I like variety and mobility...I think I thought that I was expected to replace everything with technology...no...it's a tool...nothing can ever replace personal interaction. Should i say, nothing SHOULD ever replace personal interaction...b/c i do have to watch it... I guess it's like everything else...a good balance is what's necessary. Even as i speak, or should I say, write, my children are in there interacting with each other...I hear their voices...and since we have to go out again tonight...all great stuff...performing, singing, etc...and even though i haven't even said what i logged on to say, I'm going to go now, and interact with those precious people in there.
TTYL

2004-02-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

I thought that once I got my BA I could stop the juggling...but I'm still at it...altho I must say that I enjoy every one of the things I'm doing...maybe it's not juggling; right now it seems like I'm one of those plate spinners that runs from stick to stick keeping the plate going...Oh well, a person can't just sit around.
I'll be back...

2004-02-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I spent a bit of time in the lab today, re-doing, among other things, my intro page. I revamped the title, removed that ugly clipart,
put in a new, fresher background, etc. It looked a little classier. Problem, I don't have the saving process down, so guess what. You can't see anything I did...I learned, though, right? Gotta learn how to save properly....it's really not that hard.

2004-02-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

I wanted to mention that I checked into getting my cassette song onto CD. It looks like I can do it myself so I'm going to try. I have to record it, burn in to CD, then record it again. And then make it match my PP. Hmmm...I'll try.

2004-02-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about so many things. My site, evaluating my classes, my purpose in giving homework, the readings.
My site: I want something more artistic for my homepage that really reflects who I am and what I do. That clipart just won't do.
I'd like to see more "output"(?) from the classes that I teach. I know that the curriculum has something to do with it; I know it's too simplistic, but I want an expert's opinion of the curriculums' weaknesses as in, "why is it so bad"? Any comments, Dr. Dubravac? I really want to know.
I attended a professional development conference Friday so I could not go to FAU. But the workshops were interesting: Fallacies Concerning Learning (which, in effect, called in to question some of the traditional methodologies...reminds me of this class! I also sat in on "Technology for the 21st Century Classroom" to see what is new. We discussed CrazyTalk, Panorama, Photo Object and Classroom Performance System. I didn't feel overwhelmed at all, thanks to the plunge I took in here...I really liked the CPS b/c all the students can use the pads at once. We have that available at our school (this workshop for PB County was held at our school). I can use it any time I want. The problem: time to generate activities. That seems to be the drawback to all of these things...time. But I'm sure once I get really comfortable using them, it'll be a piece of cake, right? I also sat in on "The Teaching Methods of the Master Teacher". It was good. In reference to future classes, it looks like I'm in for a sampling of many opinions; in the end I guess I will still have to decide.
I'm also evaluating homework, and why I give it. It seems to reinforce what we did in class, and it helps me see what they are thinking, right? I mean, isn't being able to write what you're saying important?
The readings really do speak to where I am, except for the terminology. They are obviously graduate level writings...maybe after I've had exposure to the vocabulary and style of the grad level courses I won't have to read it as many times to fully comprehend.
Oh yes, and I told my son tonight about my website and this course. He was proud of me. He thought I was still just doing email. His reaction when I mentioned my blog: "YOU'RE BLOGGING?!"
Yep, I'm movin' on.

2004-02-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, The first couple of weeks was spent learning to navigate these sites...and figure out what was expected of me for the class. I came to class the first night very excited...and expected a challenge...but had to seriously re-consider whether I should stay at this time, because it didn't seem that I was fast enough. But I'm here now, and I know I can learn...in fact, I have already learned...I want to build a very creative site, but have stayed simple at this point as I took some 'baby steps'...the steps are beginning to get a little bigger. This blog may be long. I'm catching up.
I do question why my cloze didn't include the word bank I had typed in the instructions...it was the right format, and stayed in other versions of the exercise. Without the word bank, students wouldn't know what verb belongs and it would be a big guessing game. I have to fix that.
I chose technology theme since this is where I'm learning to expand the use of technology... I may change that as time goes on, but for now, it works...not exciting, but it's ok for now...I think I'll put a picture of the night that my family gave me the laptop for a graduation gift...they were so proud...and hey, so am I. I also bought a portable scanner; it has come in so handy for pictures and documents...Now with the digital cameras, laptop, scanner, etc. I really want to be at home with these tools....My son will be so proud...He's a systems admin/web designer computer person, but I haven't asked him for help yet. Maybe I should.
Ideas...For a powerpoint presentation, I have a verb song that would be so cute (and useful) with the words coming up on PP at the right time. I would love to try to make that happen. I wonder if I could use the song recorded on the pp...it's on a cassette made for classroom use...would there be copyright issues?
Also, I surveyed the computer lab at school (where I work)...there are 21 computers and all of them work! Except the one on the teacher's desk!!! But I think the sub just didn't know how to turn it on!! Anyway, I got permission to trade places with one of the classes for a day or so. I need to come up with an activity that would warrant throwing the other classes out of the lab... hmmm. Any ideas? I don't think I'm ready to show them my web page just yet. We could do something with activities such as the cloze or whatever else I come up with.
The research paper also keeps coming to mind...I keep envisioning something in the computer lab...I want a subject...is it too soon for that?
Ok, that's enough for now.

2004-02-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Oh Finally!!! Blogging has never been so much fun! I really mean it. I'm so glad to find this again...that may seem silly, but to one who has never blogged, the new experience of locating everything was a little daunting, especially since previous entries never made it to the page...why, I don't know. But here I am again...hopefully this time to make some meaningful entries. I'm going to post this to see if it "takes" this time. Somehow it seems much simpler now...

2004-01-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

Finally ! I haven't been able to post, because, on my own I couldn't get back here. But after a little time in the FLL, voila. Donna's back to blogging.
I'm really glad...I've been trying to do things on my own so I could learn, but sometimes you need the help of a friend.

2004-01-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

This is my research journal. I will enter my thoughts. amd observations here.