Stirring Up the Dust

Although this is not my first blog, it is a first in terms of its purpose. I plan to use this blog to educate myself and others, especially those in my school and district, about the endless uses of technology and their application in the classroom. I have so much to learn, but have learned so much I’d like to share.

One year ago, I had never heard of blogs and wikis. Now I have blogs and wikis of my own. Thank you Dr. Frank Buck for showing me how to set up a blog in ten minutes. Your workshop at the Alabama Technology Conference in June of 2006 set me on the road to blogging. Since then I’ve roped two other teachers at my school into starting a blog. My goal for this year is to have all the media specialists in the system blogging by May. I even ventured WAY out on a limb and presented a blogs and wikis workshop at the Delta Kappa Gamma Southeast Regional Convention in New Orleans in June. My co-presenter for the workshop was fellow teacher and blogger Kim Smithwick.

I also need to thank Catherine Nelson for her inspiration. I stumbled across Cathy on the internet and began an email friendship. She has given me advice as I have worked toward National Board Certification and continues to educate me through her TechnoTuesday Blog. She inspired me to use blogs in my media center, write more grants, read more blogs, and put myself out there making presentations. As I follow in her footsteps, I add more links to my bloglines, make plans to attend more conferences, and truly grow technologically each day.

While still just a baby in the things I know about Web 2.0 tools, I feel like I am stirring up the dust from those who have already journeyed down this road. I am so far behind that the dust from the pioneers has settled. Too, by bringing this knowledge of technology into my school, I am stirring up the dust from the way things have always been. Tools such as Smartboards, blogs, wikis, podcasts, Skype, Elluminate, Twitter are foreign words. We’re too set in our ways from the good old days. The dust has settled on us and many times we cannot see it. I’m hoping to stir up that dust by introducing some new tools for our teaching repertoire.

It’s a long road, with much to learn along the way. Won’t you come stir up the dust with me?