Pushing Myself to a New Limit...

I am currently participating in class #2 of the Innovative Leadership certification program through Winona State University.  This class is titled Connected Educator, Connected Classroom.  During this short time I have found myself as an active participant in Twitter chats.  Myself and two of my classmates will be facilitating a Twitter chat through #WSUCohort1.  I am very nervous because this is something I have never done before.  I struggle with not having enough characters so I can fully express myself.  Although I am nervous about this, I am excited!

With that being said, that is not the only way I am stretching myself.  During this class, we have the assignment involving playing BINGO.  There is an option for points for a blackout.  I felt confident that I could do this until I noticed that one of the options was to "go off the grid for a day".  This has me assessing my dependance on my phone and social media.  I check my Facebook page and Twitter feeds more frequently than I should.   Pinterest has great ideas for lesson plans, travel plans or meal planning.  I'm forced to think for myself in those areas for a 24 hour period.   I guess you could say that I am addicted to my technology and social media.  Although I am an addict, I refuse to fail.  I can disconnect for a 24 hour period and still survive.  I will have to watch the news on tv and read the newspaper.  It may not be the most up to date information or immediate but it is news.  I also want to mention I intentionally chose Sunday because that is going to be my biggest challenge.  The workweek would be less "painful".

So, with that being said.  Come midnight tonight you will not hear from me.  I am anxious to see how much work around the house I get done.  And I may even get caught up on my paperwork. Tune in Monday to hear the results.

And The Learning Continues...

The 2015-2016 school finds me continuing my hobby as a life long learner.  This fall I became a member of the Innovative Instructional Leadership certificate program through Winona State University.  I feel very fortunate to be in a classroom (both face-to-face and online) with a great group of fellow students while the learning is being lead by Jen Hegna, who also serves as the leader in the technology department with the Byron Public Schools.

This is not my first experience as an online student.  I graduated from Hamline University in 2014 with a Masters degree in Literacy Administration.  I did not step foot on campus (beyond a visit to the campus bookstore) until I attended my graduation ceremony.

As an experienced online learner, I understand the value of technology along with innovated opportunities it brings to the classroom.  I imagine in the not so far away future, snow days in the public school system will not longer exist.  Rather, students will remain safely at home accessing their learning through the ever evolving technology opportunities.

Blogging is a very new experience for me.  As I write this I think to myself, "Is this how I am supposed to do this?"  But I also reassure myself that of course this is how it is done. Afterall, blogs serve as a way of reflecting on what has been learned and has yet to come, right?

Although this is "short and sweet", it is sincere.  Look for more blogs to come. I look forward to reflecting and sharing with you all that I have learned along the way.  This is an amazing journey that I am on.

Welcome!

Hello everyone.  Welcome to my newest experience in innovation, my blog.  I am looking forward to learning how to blog and be an activate member of the blogging community.