Final Reflection

I found this course to be challenging and rewarding, but most of all relevant. I have looked at many blogs as resources and I really like the format for information. But the low-tech web template I was currently using didn't allow me to publish information in consistent or user-friendly way. So this course was very timely. I want to use the things I've learned as a way to connect with both students and parents in a better, more current platform.
The challenging part initially, was the format. I'm used to attending a class where the instructor walks you through a process step by step and you "learn" it. Being asked to figure things out on my own, or with just a little video prompt...   was new/different/intimidating at first. The most frustrating point of this was the Prezi project. I just couldn't find specific enough tutorial for some of the things I wanted to do. But as I continued to work through the format, I was amazed at the things I could create! I kept showing my husband and my kids...    look at this! It became easier and I even researched directions for a few other things I now knew I could find and learn online. I even experimented with Google sites a bit prior to the in-service we have next week, because I knew that I could learn how to get started and then go to the lab with my specific questions. So in the end, I am grateful for the format of the course. I found the structure of the open-lab to be superb as well. I could go when it worked for me. A couple times, I went with questions, and once I went as a way to schedule time to work because I wasn't fitting it in at home.
I do plan to link a blog to my webpage. I want parents to go to my web resources and I think you need to post often so they learn to look there for updates. I am also anxious to use the screencasting. I think this will be great for my K. students.