Ekoloko Podcast

Below is my first podcast that describes how to get started with the virtual world, Ekoloko:

My Relationship with the Internet

I believe my first experiences with the internet were in grade school.  However, I can't remember any of the specific games or activities that we did.  At home, I was lucky enough to have a computer and internet quite early.  I would log onto AOL, using dial-up of course, and chat with kids from all over the world that were my age.  I can remember my mom sitting next me and getting frustrated because I was typing too slowly.  At that time, we were charged based on minutes spent online.  I cringe at the thought of using dial-up now.

My first educational experiences that I remember were in sixth grade.  We had to do a report on a famous person and used the internet to do research.  We also played many educational games and used an online version of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.  At that time, the internet was still a novelty.

As I began college, I was consumed with the internet and all its possibilities.  I had a Smart phone with internet access and carried a laptop with me to class.  I used the internet to answer all my questions.  I used it for social networking, research, and downloading music (when it was still legal and free).  The thought of going to a library to find an article in an academic journal was overwhelming.  I would much rather find the information needed in the comfort of my own home.

The internet has been around since I was born.  Today, I spend close to ten hours on it throughout the day.  I am constantly checking emails and status updates, watching and showing YouTube clips, reading online books, and posting on my blog and other forums.  My teaching and classroom and management techniques come from an online source called wholebrainteaching.com.  Here I spend hours each week watching webcasts and collaborating with other teachers.  I couldn't imagine my life without the internet at my fingertips.

The Basics of Blogging

I should start by saying that this is going to be my third attempted blog.  I say attempted because only one is still up and running.  I created my first blog last year on a whim after finding so many great educational blogging sites on Pinterest.  I thought that I would love to record my successes (and failures) so that I, and the occasional follower, could learn and use it as a resource.  Well, things got busy and I quite blogging.

Then, this summer, I started another blog about my Whole Brain Teaching adventure.  I am still trying to keep up with this one because it is such a passion of mine.  Even though I have not blogged since early September, I consider it still to be up-and-running.

This brings me to this current blog.  I have always been interested in integrating technology into the classroom and thought KSP 689 would be a great start.

In my limited experience, I have not found blogging to be much different that traditional writing.  What I particularly like about blogging is that it seems less formal. Emoticons, short-hand, and "text talk" are more accepted.  To me, blogging is more personal, much like an online journal.  Feelings and opinions are at the forefront.  I love the format Blogger has created.  It is very user-friendly and is part of the Google family.  I am able to sign in with my Gmail account, leaving me one less username and password to remember. :)

Blogging has infinite possibilities in the realm of teaching.  My current blog, The Whole Brain Teaching Adventure, allows me to collaborate with fellow WBTers (or Webiteers, as we like to call them).  I connect with teachers from all over the world.  I also find myself following many different educational blogs.  I get lesson plans, classroom management ideas, art projects, and holiday activities from these sites.  While I am little overwhelmed with keeping up with two blogs, I believe the time spent will be well worth it.

Happy Blogging!