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Archive for the ‘Observations on Life’ Category
ECI831 – Introduction to Learning Networks
Sunday, September 27th, 2009
(Side note: I find it absolutely ironic that the week I learn the OSI Model in grad school, I learn about Learning Networks in an open course – so many networks!)
Well, that YouTube video never came to fruition. Life got more hectic than planned, drama happened, and the cool recording snippets I made were lost or deleted off my camera. For someone who is so invested in technology, I sure do fail a lot at it sometimes.
On a happier note, I was able to attend my first synchronous session ever with the class through Elluminate last Tuesday, and it was pretty interesting. So many students were logged in to participate in both listening to a lecturer and discussing different points on the side. While I have attended webinars and board meetings via Elluminate, I have never attended a class. Some of the students were complaining that the side chat function was too confusing. Others were having side conversations that didn’t seem to have much to do with what was being talked about. Others of us “lurked” and contributed every once in awhile. I even managed to embarrass myself by cracking a joke at an inopportune time on what I was about to find out was a terribly sad topic. *slaps self* As I mentioned before, I really need to read more Canadian news if I am to participate effectively in this class…
Anyways, the question of the week is:
So we know that social learning matters. We know that people form communities in formal and informal environments. How far should we go, as educators, to support non-formal and informal learning? How do we deal with the fact that we are part of a formal system when we know that a heck of a lot of learning (many say, most) happens outside of our formal learning systems? Where do we fit into this? Or in summary, the key question to consider is “what is our role in non-formal learning?”
To be quite honest, if you were not paying even a bit of attention during the amazing lecture or if you were not there at all, the above questions may make no sense. I was moderately paying attention, and I’m still a bit confused. I think I may ignore the side conversations next time…
To break it down:
How far should we go, as educators, to support non-formal and informal learning?
- Non-formal learning was defined to happened in a “prescribed but unfettered learning environment” where the “learner” is in “control” and “personal intentions outweigh externally defined intentions”. I think it was described as the middle ground between formal and informal learning.
- Informal learning is…well…I think as informal as it gets.
- How far should we go to support both? I would say that depends on the students you are dealing with. There are pros and cons to all three learning environments.
How do we deal with the fact that we are part of a formal system when we know that a heck of a lot of learning (many say, most) happens outside of our formal learning systems?
- Well, I think we should better ourselves as teachers so a heck of a lot of learning happens in the formal environment as well! Whether that be utilizing the tech tools out there or ensuring we pursue some sort of personal development, I think we owe it to the students to be the best teachers we can be in any environment.
“What is our role in non-formal learning?”
- There was a saying on one of the slides that read, “Engagement matters more than interaction”. Maybe that’s it – to engage. Not to watch from the sidelines, not to put down, and not to become a fanatic, but to engage others and be a teacher/participant that fosters that engagement. Wrestle with new ideas. Try new means of communication. Learn to be discerning. Work on trust.
It is interesting to me to be considering what my role is in non-formal learning considering I’m a “not-for-credit” student in this open course, and I got a sense that some of the for-credit students resented our presence in the class. I do tend to be a bystander because I have no binding responsibility to the course. I can watch, I can listen, I can process, but I am not required to complete assignments, participate, etc. I have to motivate myself to move beyond the bystander role and into one of engagement.
But, I’ll admit, that seems hard when nothing tangible is at stake (unlike my grad school classes or the classes I teach).
Well, next week again. We’ll see how it goes…
Suggested Readings from the class wiki:
- Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age (by George Siemens, the next guest presenter)
- (on teenagers who are) Living and Learning with Social Media (video by danah boyd)
Tags: eci831
Posted in Observations on Life, Technology | 1 Comment »
From consumption to contribution (maybe)
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Despite my amazingly hectic schedule, I decided to attempt to “attend” an open course on Social Media and Open Education through the University of Regina in Canada. Really, it was the trailer that roped me in – how can any resist such creativity? (Apparently, I can’t) While I’m at it, I’m going to insert a shameless plug for Free Technology for Teachers, the blog through which I found the class in the first place.
Non-Credit students got to meet with the class for the first time this evening, and since I’m a dork (and generally lazy to boot) and apparently cannot convert Saskatchewan Time into California Time (even though the prof gave us a handy-dandy converter), I missed the Elluminate session. (Dang it!) Thankfully, the materials are available for viewing/contemplation through the class’ wiki.
One of the optional (“but highly recommended”) assignments is to create an introductory video of oneself and post it to YouTube. It’s not that long – only 2-3 minutes (shorter than what I require my Spoken COM students to complete with their podcasts), and I have all the tools needed to make the video. Still, I hesitate…
…and I ask myself why…
…and I realized why it was.
- It’s not that I’m shy (heavens, no!). I’m a proven extrovert by nature. (Albeit, I have become a bit more withdrawn over time)
- It’s not that I don’t have the “skillz” to make such a video.
- It’s not that I lack the tools to make said video.
- It’s that I have never viewed myself as a contributor to any online community in this way.
I’m a online consumer by nature. I read others’ posts on Twitter, Facebook, etc. that I find interesting. I subscribe to blogs that educate or entertain me. I subscribe to newsfeeds, cooking blogs, tech reports, photo blogs, and so much more, but the common feature they have is generally a one-way communication. I read them, and they never know who I am (unless I actually talk/tweet/post back).
I take, I read, and I rarely give back.
I think that is why this class is challenging for me. Not only are the different tools of the Internet discussed; we are encouraged to use them to contribute something to the Internet that is actually meaningful.
Now that is a true challenge, and I will attempt to meet the task…
I now have a YouTube account. Oh, dear. I can promise you I won’t be posting videos of me dancing in tights or drooling as someone shaves my eyebrows off. Hopefully, I’ll be posting something more substantial.
Like that intro video. Now to get to work…
Tags: eci831
Posted in Observations on Life, Technology | No Comments »
Corinne’s Book Bag
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
Inspired by the article Barack’s Book Bag published on Slate.
The president of the United States is on vacation. Apparently, like most people on vacation, most of the U.S. presidents bring a stack (or mini-stack) of books with them for personal edification and enjoyment. According to the article above, ever since John F. Kennedy confessed to reading the 007 series, the media has speculated on what exactly a president’s reading list says about him. I wasn’t quite sure what was meant by that – says about him as a what? A person? A leader? A curious mind who happens to like reading?
The article got me thinking about what I have been reading (or attempting to read) or have read this past summer. It also reminded me of the stack of textbooks waiting for my attention next week when I return to grad school.
Should we judge a person by what they read? Or, for that matter, should we judge a person by what they haven’t read? I know if I were to plop myself down on a lawn at my place of employment with certain books in hand, I would definitely receive some curious stares, miniscule applause, or maybe even some chastisement. Were I to do the same at my local Starbucks, I may get a few stares and nothing more (maybe a few free samples?). I sometimes feel embarrassed checking out books from my local library (especially the day I checked out She’s Not the Man I Married, which I found quite by accident and discovered to be truly fascinating. Unfortunately, I did not finish…I shall return to it next summer), where some of the teenage clerks give me odd looks as I smile at them in an effort to hurry my checkout process.
Either way, here are the books I am currently reading/will be reading in the months to come. Judge me as you will.
For Grad School:
- Ethernet: The Definitive Guide – Charles E. Spurgeon (O’Reily)
- Beginning Web Programming with HTML, XHTML, and CSS – Jon Duckett
- PC Hardware in a Nutshell – Robert B. Thompson & Barbara F. Thompson (O’Reily)
- Managing and Troubleshooting Networks – Mike Meyers (no, not the comedian nor the murderer – different spelling, too)
For Teaching:
- Principles of Public Speaking – Monroe, Gronbeck, Ehninger, German
- A Rulebook for Arguments – A. Weston
- Intercultural Competence – Lustig & Koester
- Intercultural Communication in Contexts – Martin & Nakayama
- Teaching Culture – H. N. Seelye
- American Cultural Patterns – Stewart & Bennett
And a few other books I can’t remember or don’t have nearby at the moment.
For Personal Interests:
- The Holy Bible – You know, this is the book I should be reading the most of. I am praying that will be the case this coming semester.
- The New Kings of Nonfiction – Ira Glass (amazing, so far)
- In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto – Michael Pollan
- Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife – Mary Roach
- How to Break a Terrorist: the U.S interrogators who used brains, not brutality, to take down the deadliest man in Iraq – Matthew Alexander (looking forward to this one)
I guess my lists are slightly ambitious (*laugh to self*), but I’m hoping to get through all the books. I really am.
What do my lists say about me? I’m not sure, actually. The only thing it shows for sure is that I will be mind-blowingly busy next semester.
Good luck on your reading list, President Obama. Wish me luck on mine. Let me know how the judging goes!
Related Articles on Obama’s Vacation Reading:
- Obama’s vacation reading picks: How do they stack up? (EW.com)
- Obama’s Vacation Reading List (Newsweek)
- Just In: Obama’s Vacation Reading List (ABC News)
- Scandal over Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard Reading List (Baltimore Sun) – Scandal? Really?! Just because he’s potentially reading a book he’s already read?
Posted in Books, In the News, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Status update as of August 20, 2009
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
I was reminded of my blog this morning when I was asked to take care of an IT issue at work having to do with WordPress. My last post was from the “beginning” of summer in May. What happened to all the time in between?!?!
Well, a lot has happened since then, so…as not to overwhelm the 3 of you who actually read this (hi, Mom!), here is a summary of what I can remember from this summer:
(Sadly, I am opening up my Outlook calendar to jog my failing memory)
May
- I used to blog more
- I read a ton of books, including Lord of the Flies, The Devil Wears Prada, and some others I just can’t remember at the moment. Scratch “ton” out of the previous sentence.
- Vacation! I completely forgot about this (sadly), but Mike and I were able to drive up through Oregon and Washington…all the way up to Victoria, Canada. So much fun!
June
- Vacation, still! Ah, fun memories. Seems like years ago already. Pictures can be found here.
- Back to work. Thankfully, we do like work…
- We went to a cabin with some friends. Fun times!
- I vaguely remember a lot of sushi…
July
- Birthdays, weddings, and work. Not necessarily in that order.
- Some of our dearest friends moved to Texas (*sniffle*), but I think that might have been at the beginning of August…
August
- In progress, but I think I’m ready for next semester. I think…
- Lots more reading, but most of it was lesson prep. Except for the Mass Effect novels. Good stuff! I hate Saren that much more…
- Mike’s birthday is on the 31st (which happens to be the first day of classes). I am going to attempt to get him something he will never forget. That’s right, babe. You’ve got it comin’…
Next semester, I’m teaching 4 undergrad classes, taking 2 grad classes (and one “open course” on Social Media and Open Education for good measure!), working part-time for IT, attempting to get my website up and running, and some other things, so I’ll be busy and mostly out of trouble. God is good. :)
I better get back to reading as much as I can before the semester really starts. Icanhazcheezburger, I’m looking at you…
Posted in Observations on Life | 2 Comments »
It’s Question Time!
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Awhile back, I found a fascinating little app on Facebook called “Your Interview”. Fun little app, it is. Every week, I’m going to take one of those questions and answer it here…just for fun, and because I am too lazy to write my review of The Devil Wears Prada.
Q: Do you believe that the cup is half empty or half full?
A: Personally, I’m wondering what you’re doing with my cup, but to answer your question, I generally believe the cup/glass is very full. The question is – what’s in it?
Tags: interview, question
Posted in Fun Stuff, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Swim – #1
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
Mike and I went for our first swim of the summer tonight at around 7:00 pm. I thought it was great; he thought it was cold. Ah, differences in opinion. :)
Anyways, it was fun being able to splash around in the water. It was just the two of us, so that made it extra fun. I felt like a kid again. Okay, so I’m not terribly ancient or anything, but there’s something terribly fun about being the only people in the pool and being able to splash around/swim around/try to take the other person down without actually hurting them, etc. We might need to get some pool noodles or something to add to the excitement.
It was also fun to be able to spend some time alone doing something fun with my husband. There’s something especially fun and romantic about having a pool to yourselves. We swapped hilarious swim stories from when we were younger, discussed the finer points of why swimming was a great workout compared with other options, raced each other (pathetically, but give us a summer…we’ll be so fast…), and got tons of water up our noses.
More importantly, we got to be together.
..and in less than a week, we’re going to have all the time in the world to do whatever we want for 2 whole weeks.
Yes, swimming will be included.
Tags: pool, romantic, summer, swimming
Posted in Fun Stuff, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Haunted
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Something exciting needs to happen.
Something amazing needs to happen.
I finally finished Chuck Palahniuk’s Haunted last night. Again, it was one of those books that left me sitting on our couch, thinking. I believe I enjoyed it far more than I enjoyed Fight Club.
The basic summary is this – 17 people all respond to an invitation to participate in a “writer’s retreat” to create their “masterpiece”. It will last for three months; no contact with the outside world. Food and lodging provided. They are picked up by a Mr. Whittier and a Mrs. Clark, driven to the location of the retreat, and then pretty much locked in for the three months. Things are alright at first, but as time progresses, human depravity takes over in ways one generally only reads about.
The book really resonated with me, and…I must warn you…I am going to air my views on a potentially touchy subject for some in the following paragraph(s).
Artists – writers – poets – novelists – etc. Some succeed; some don’t. Some are truly what they claim to be while others claim the title and don’t actually produce anything in their given domain. I have friends who are artists, and I do love them. There are a few that I have personally known, however, who don’t go a day looking for drama…looking for adventure…and if not looking, then creating the drama, adventure, angst, conflict, etc. that they long for in order to be a “better” writer, poet, etc. To be honest, that annoys me greatly, and I will be honest and state that I am still trying to figure out why it really irritates me. By the way, you don’t have to be an artist to be like the above.
The characters in Haunted reminded me of those types of artists. Some of them had gone through harrowing life experiences; others had not, but they each had a story to tell, and they wrote them down. As you read their stories, you become disgusted, feel compassion for them, mourn their losses, empathize, etc. However, their stories are not enough; in fact, none of them view their stories as “masterpieces” in the making. Instead, they end up creating a “masterpiece” out of them all, locked in this abandoned theatre. Each one starts to sabotage their peaceful, rather comfortable existence in order to create a drama of unprecedented magnitude. They abuse themselves and others; they delve into the depths of depravity…all for this masterpiece they can sell once they are released/rescued from the locked theatre. Each one tries to outdo the others – whether it be mutilating themselves, claiming abuse from other members of the group that never happened, claiming “ghosts” are haunting them all to hider their own devious actions, etc. – all for this story. Yet, as you read their stories, it becomes apparent that reality is brutal enough without having to go out of one’s way to create it.
What I am trying to say is this: open your eyes to what is going on inside you and around you. Life is hard enough as it is. You don’t need to create drama to get a good experience or a “better story” than the person next to you. In fact, why don’t you create something beautiful? Help someone?
It really all boils down to how selfish we are…
…and I thank God that He is more powerful than my selfish ambitions and keeps me in check; by His grace, keeping me from becoming one of those who is Haunted.
Tags: chuck palahniuk, haunted, opinion
Posted in Books, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Ugly duckling(s)…I think
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Mike and I found this pretty cool place in Santa Clarita awhile back called the Bridgeport Marketplace. Located across the street from Bridgeport itself, this place boasts its own Kabuki, Red Mango (awesome), Bristol Farms, future CPK, and a cesspool of dark water that would make the liquid in Dark Water look like it had been through a Britta filter (more awesome).
A few days ago, however, the water was sparkling blue (Clean? Dyed, perhaps? Just kidding) and various water fowl were floating/walking around. That’s when I spotted them:
I’m not sure if it was a family of Canadian geese with a random female duck tagging along or whether it was the duck who had the Canadian geese following her and her ducklings (baby geese?). Either way, they all stayed close to each other and eyed us suspiciously. I couldn’t blame them. Most living beings eye us suspiciously… ;)
They may look a bit strange now, but they’ll grow up to be some good looking birds someday, whatever they may be. Maybe next time, I’ll bring them some food. Then, maybe, we could be friends…maybe. If these are baby geese, they’ll grow up to be good looking…and greedy…and snappy. Kind of like when children grow into adults, huh? Just kidding…maybe.
Tags: bridgeport, bridgeport marketplace, bristol farms, canadian geese, cpk, dirty water, ducks, kabuki, red mango, santa clarita, valencia
Posted in Fun Stuff, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Book Arrangement Fail…or Win?
Monday, April 27th, 2009
Over the weekend, I found this fascinating arrangement of books at our local Barnes & Noble bookstore:
Tags: barnes and noble, bipolar, books, depression, happiness, psychiatry
Posted in Books, Observations on Life | No Comments »
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
I had known this day was coming ever since I flipped our wall calendar to “April”. There was the announcement – April 22 : Earth Day or Tag der Erde. To be honest, I was actually kind of excited. I’m no environmentalist, per se, but I am willing to do my part to keep my “carbon footprint” down while I tread on this planet (once I get to Mars, all bets are off).
Yesterday, I received a funny e-mail from Tech Support at my place of work, stating that they would be turning off all lab computers in honor of Earth Day. I thought that was pretty cool (save energy, why not?), but then the rest of the e-mail stated that they would be turning off all network switches, servers, etc. “Ah, a joke!” I realized. I just smiled to myself and thought nothing more of it.
At Bible study later that night, someone mentioned “Earth Day” with a snort. I was confused. Either the lady had something stuck up her nose, or she did not think too highly of Earth Day. A couple other ladies were nodding in agreement to whatever she said, and at that moment, I figured I should probably find out a bit more about this Earth Day.
Well, today has come, and the e-mails have also come – forwards of funny pictures and stories that held slightly anti-Earth Day sentiments. “God is going to destroy the earth anyway” was the vibe I was getting, and that is true. God will indeed destroy this Earth someday, but I don’t think He needs our help. Stop and hear me out here…
The Earth Day Network has this to say on the history of Earth Day:
On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values…click here to read the full history
Oil spills? Pollution? Raw sewage? Okay, freeways do seem a bit much, but what I gathered about this group’s message was this: It is not okay to blatantly continue to use or contaminate Earth’s resources. Stop and think about what you are doing to the environment. What are the consequences of your actions?
Indeed, what are the consequences of our actions? And what if we could do something to lessen them? Whether it be recycling, using energy efficient lights, less water, etc., each little bit helps. Few Christians would argue against the idea that God has called us to be good stewards; I believe the Earth is one of those gifts He has left for us. Heaven is an even bigger gift, but are we going to abuse the gift we have right now?
Of course, anything can be turned into an idol. I am not obsessed with saving the Earth, but I do not think we should cite the example of those who are as reason for why we can make fun of times set aside to remind others about doing their part or even as an excuse for us not to do our part. I think it would be an amazing witness to the world to take care of the creation we claim our God has made. Finding a balance key – don’t go to either extreme of saying nature is supreme or who cares about nature? Creation is groaning like we are and waiting for the day of the Lord, we don’t need to add reasons for that groaning.
Cut the normal environmentalists a little slack and instead, go outside and marvel at the wonders God has given us in creation. They may not be here for long.
Tags: balance, Christians, earth, earth day, environment
Posted in Observations on Life | 3 Comments »