I NEVER thought I would find myself saying this, but I am really, REALLY enjoying this unit.  

When I wrote my first blog, all I could think to myself was - "just pass, that is all you have to do and then it will be over".  They stranger things do happen, and let me tell you - yes, yes they do!!  I, the "older statesman from the paper generation", is not only enjoying the unit, but learning soooo much about myself, the internet, and developing quite an amicable relationship with my computer as time goes along.

There are still a few little hiccups that happen along the way, but, all in all it has been a very enjoyable experience to date.  I am absolutely beside myself to be saying that, but it is 100% the truth.

I still have a few days left until the task is due, so there is still a bit of refining to go, but for now I am off to do some exercise and hopefully beat this storm before it pours rain on me mid way through the run!!

Ciao for now

HLJ

One of the biggest things that struck me in the first few weeks, was the photo that Jan put up of her Dad's classroom from when he was in school.  Although there are obvious differences between the modern classroom and the one in the photo, the similarities that exist really got me thinking.  Now, I am not someone who is comfortable, or confident, working with technology, however, it is astounding how much this medium has really taken over the world in recent years.  Sadly, my grandfather passed away recently having lived a very full 90 years of life.  During my research for his eulogy, this photo that Jan showed us in the very first lecture struck my thoughts again.  In writing my grandfathers final address, I gained a much deeper respect for the enormous amount of technological change he would have seen in his lifetime.  From telegraphs, and writing love letters to my Gran during world war II; to emails, text messages and facetime...how different a world my grandfather departed from to the one he was born into all those years ago.  

Chapter one of the text book talks about "meaningful learning".  For students to learn, they must engage in meaningful tasks.  I am sure it is often difficult to convince teenagers that anything they learn in school is going to be "meaningful" (actually, I am positive of this, I have a teenage daughter!), so choosing tasks appropriate to their learning, that they will view as meaningful is the challenge.  I really like the passage that explains technology can not teach students, but students learn by using techology.

As I hinted to in my earlier blog, this is my first website, my first blog and my first attempt at using technology to learn.  I am not sure how much detail I should go into (or more to the point how much you can read before I lose your attention!!), so I will leave it here for now.  I am finding this unit very interesting, although, nothing like I initially expected.

Three weeks in, and I am still here!!  I wonder what I will think when I read back on this post in 9 weeks time.

Ciao for now

HLM

Welcome to my EDN113 journey.  

I expect this unit will present more than one challenge for me, as I am a person from the "paper generation" who is still learning how to use fancy technology!!  I have never created a website before, and after many hours of screaming at my computer because it wasn't doing what I wanted it to do, I came to the realisation that it wasn't necessarily the computers fault....... not entirely anyway! 

So, here we go.  There will be up's and there will be down's, but I am really looking forward to developing my learning throughout the semester.  It is sure to be one very, VERY, interesting ride.....

Task 1, create a website that will showcase all my work for the semester. Having never done anything remotely close to this, I was very overwhelmed when I read the task.  Hours passed, and about all I had managed to do was create an account with Webnode.  I chose Webnode, because it was the first one I clicked on, and it appeared to be quite simple to navigate through.  At this stage, simple is what I need!!  I am a person who likes to do everything perfectly, so one of the biggest challenges for me (away from the technical stuff) will be redefining my goals for the unit to match my present ability.

In the end, I have a Homepage, I have an "About me" page, and I have a blog.  I haven't thrown too many temper tantrums, and my computer is still in one piece.  Whilst I am resigned to the fact my hidden talent is not in web design, I am happy with what I have achieved so far, and I am looking forward to seeing how much improvement I can, or should I say, I WILL, make.

Our new blog has been launched today. Stay focused on it and we will try to keep you informed. You can read new posts on this blog via the RSS feed.