I really enjoy reading the comments of thought on our blog
posts. However, due to finding time to
work on all that is required of us at the moment I have not taken the time to
reply to very many of the posts. This is
somewhat different from our discussion boards where we are replying in a thread
to a much shorter entry. Just my observation
as I am comparing the two different ways we have been commenting and thinking
about what others have said in our groups.
After attending the library state conference with past weekend
there was information galore! I had
mentioned choice before, and it is very clear when so many choices are placed
before me at these conference that I must really choose what type of information
I need or would like to learn more about.
There were so many great sessions it was really hard to choose. I believe that is the reality we face every
day in choosing what information we are going to seek after. We cannot consume it all at one time. We must make choices and some information is
better for us than others. (ok just took
a 10 min pause to check social media!)
I’m back….. ahhhh to find balance. One of the comments I had made me with about
my own use as data. Like being able to
monitor everything we eat. Have you ever
been on a diet were you were to right everything down or check on its
points. While it is a bit exhausting it
really does make one aware. I wonder in
the modeling for our students that we could all participate in monitoring where
we are going for information. I will
start reading my book and more times than I can say. – I fall asleep. But if I am listening to a podcast or
watching a video I am a bit more engaged.
Well, I think I would stay away more if the book I was reading was my
own choice. While I find our assigned
reading very interesting, I cannot stay away!!
(true confessions here)
While we are integrating more and more technology use into
our lessons I feel that I am more mindful to be aware of what I am asking our
students to be doing especially at home if they have no model or only the model
that is on their phone all the time. The
tools we use are wonderful for accessing all the information we could ever want
or need but we also need to be aware of how much time we are spending on either
pleasure information or school information.
To distinguish a difference and to monitor and balance so that we maintain
a healthy balance on what we put into our brains.
Angie, I hope this conference was more productive than the one on copyright. I hope we can assume you didn't feel as attacked as in the previous one. I think it's safe to say that all of us are a lot more aware of our information diets as a result of this class. So yay! But that balance part is hard. I took a first step yesterday as a matter of fact. I was feeling very disconnected from my own children and chose to turn it all off and to bond with games and cleaning up the kitchen and living room together. It felt SO good and SO calming. Yes, of course this meant I couldn't stay awake either to do the reading I needed to do, but priorities are also a consideration when deciding our information diet.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I need to say sorry to everyone too about not posting comments on their blogs. I got so wrapped up in the synthesis of my own blog, I quite honestly forgot to comment on others. Mea Culpa!
Conference was great and always so informative. What a great example of checking on your balance. I think that is the key to be more aware. I found it interesting you said it was so calming. It is a thoughtful choice for sure. I worked so hard after conference to catch up on homework so I could spend the holiday Monday with my husband and son who is visiting. We went on a 20 mile bike ride!! I am trying to be more healthy in all aspects of my life and it takes thought and planning.
DeletePS no need to apologize :)
Time is always something we need more of as teachers. If only I had ten more minutes before the students come in the door I could... (fill in the blank) I am sure you can with no problem. I, too have tried to fit in exercising more which does help with the balance of life. I have learned to spend time on the weekend prepping meals so I can go to the gym and get rid of stress. I always tell the new teachers there is always tomorrow to get it done. I think we try to fit too much in each day and sometimes need to just take that mental health day to catch up. Teaching is very challenging these days and having a great team to share ideas is half the battle. My team this year is awesome which helps me keep up with it all! Keep swimming and practicing that mindfulness for yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis comment doesn't have too much to do with your synthesis...oops. But I wanted to comment on your comparison between the blog posts and comments and the discussion board we have used in the past. I too sometimes struggle to find time to comment on everyone's posts. It is much easier to fit in a two or three sentence comment on a discussion board rather than reading through blog posts and then connecting and commenting at length and with real content. I am liking to get to know what goes on in other people's "classrooms" through these blogs. It is definitely more personal!
ReplyDelete