Thing #2

After reading the article "A Day in the Life of Web 2.0", I was both reassured and distraught. I was reassured in the sense that mankind if need be, could carry on with the world from home without fear of the morning commute. I was distraught, because the same technology that brings us all together, is the same that will keep us all apart. Recently I was chatting with my sister while she was on Facebook. We held an entire conversation only to end with her asking me what we had talked about. I'm curious as to how this Web 2.0 will play out in the end. Will it be the tool that enables man to be more productive and better off, or will it just enable man?

One way that I feel Web 2.0 will allow me to teach digital learners is by allowing me to post podcasts on the web available to my students. It seems Apple has created an interesting little toy known as the i-pod, i-phone, and the i-i-i!!! With this device a person is able to plot in a GPS location, plan a business meeting, and order flowers for his mother all while jogging down a country road. I don't see why students couldn't download podcasts to listen to while waiting to see a movie. Technology is what drives the children of today. Whereas I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 24, most of my 15-year old students have mastered texting by their side without looking. Recently I decided it was time to get my Masters degree and decided to get the GRE study book. The book comes with a CD/DVD which you place in your computer and study while on the computer, and the test itself is on the computer. I feel it is time I catch up with the times.

Thing #1

After viewing the "7 &1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners", I initially didn't feel that any of the habits were going to be hard for me to adapt. Later I discovered that the 3rd habit "Viewing problems as challenges", was one that I would have to reconsider. Being a teacher I sometimes find that my income does not always exceed my "outgoing" if you will; which I discovered this Summer when my A/C went out. It was 104 degrees the day my condenser stopped working and my girlfriend and I had been to New York the week before and had spent mucho dinero. I wasn't worried because I had money saved up and would be able to pay no problem. Then another big financial boom came down upon me and forced me to spend even more of my hard saved money. I was growing very weary and becoming quite negative, but because of my frustration I realized it was time to go on a budget because I had spent my entire month's salary 2 weeks before payday and was emptying my savings just as quickly. It was time to change ME!!!

The habit I felt I would be most able to follow was the 1st which is: "Begin with the end in mind". I rarely begin a project without first knowing my end goal.

The habit I may have the most trouble following will more than likely be the habit 6: "Using technology to your advantage". I feel I use technology to help me somewhat, but know I could be using it to better benefit my place in the world as well. That shall be my goal this week budgeting on a spreadsheet.