This picture is SO symbolic for me. As I sat here thinking about my topic for the very FIRST personal blog post I would write for a global audience, I KNEW that THIS photo would have to be the FIRST. Why, you ask yourselves? Well … this was the beginning of my introduction to blogging. You see, this year I had the honour of piloting the very first classroom blog for my school board. Global Grade Three: Connecting and Learning Beyond Classroom Walls began as a way of sharing our Grade Three Global Citizenship journey, helping Mosqoy and Q’ente build a library in Q’enqo Peru. Although this project is in its second year, the learning that both my students and I have done, through blogging and interacting with a global audience, has been so unbelievably rewarding. So, while one door is closing … it is summer now and students are on vacation … our classroom blog is taking a “break”. On the other hand, ANOTHER door is being opened.
I have decided that I am TAKING the CHALLENGE that @gcouros has set before us all! The Summer Blogging Challenge came to me just at the RIGHT time. It is only 6 days into my summer vacation and I am already mourning the loss of blogging each week with my students. I find myself revisiting our site HOPING to see more “hits” on the revolver globe … and checking for new flags like many of my students did over the 6 months we blogged together. Ahhh … the true confessions of a learning nerd, (LERD for short … an affectionate label my husband has bestowed upon me).
Let me begin by sharing my “Twitter Love”. This year has been filled with SO many “firsts”! Up until November, I must confess that I thought Twitter was “fluff”. Another SHOCKING confession, I know. Honestly, though, between teaching and life with two very active teenage boys, housework, yard work … and staying “sane” … I have to admit that I had NO desire to join Twitter to hear the latest celebrity gossip or discover what my friends had eaten for breakfast. Boy was I WRONG. Twitter has provided me with some of the most INCREDIBLE professional development that I have ever taken part in … and I’ve TAUGHT for 25 years! Once you’ve signed up, lurked for a bit, found inspiring people to “follow”, figured out how to express yourself coherently in 140 characters, or less, and joined a few of the many incredible chats available, you QUICKLY discover that Twitter is NOT fluff. It is TRULY personalized and available whenever YOU are. Trust me … you will NEVER look back!
Thank you for the Summer Blogging Challenge, George! You’ve helped to open ANOTHER door! I look forward to sharing my learning journey with others along the way.
I am looking forward to seeing what you write over the next couple of months and selfishly, this little challenge I have put out has put me on to some great blogs which only helps my learning!
Thank you for sharing!
I am looking forward to continued blogging! Blogging with my students over the past few months has really made a huge impression on me as a teacher and a learner. There is nothing like connecting with a global audience to deepen one’s learning! Thank you for inspiring me and for putting your challenge out there!
Laurie 🙂
Love that you’ve taken the challenge, Laurie. I love sharing through blogs, but the writing process also really helps me “think aloud,” so to speak. Getting feedback from others is such a huge part of that process for me. Looking forward to learning along with you. 🙂
Michelle avenue4learning.com
Yup – I love that I’ve taken the challenge too, Michelle! I have always loved writing … but this year, while blogging with my students, I TRULY saw the power of writing “beyond” myself. You are so right … the writing process really does help me to “clarify” my thoughts, to reflect, to grow … such a powerful process! Sometimes … it is something I just HAVE to do … hard to explain to people who don’t embrace writing! Thanks for your feedback, Michelle – I look forward to learning from you TOO!
Laurie 🙂