As a true newbie to this brave new world, I forgot to post a link to my twitter account.
It may be like the blind leading the blind but please follow me
@lynndvoss
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40lynndvoss&src=typd

Professional Learning Networks (10/14)

I didn't really think about PLNS or  realize that I was part of PLNs before taking this class.  I belong to many PLNs and I get weekly and daily updates from several educational groups (Disability Scoop, SmartBrief on EdTech, SmartBrief on Leadership, ASCD SmartBrief, Autism Speaks to name a few).  I would imagine that my classmates have been involved in PLNs for years but may not have had a name for them.  As teachers, we love to find new ideas for helping our students and PLNs provide us the ideas as well as the support and motivation we need.  Twitter has given me the opportunity to bring all these organizations into one place as it acts as my educational magnet.

I have to admit that I never thought I would be a fan of twitter and now I'm encouraging other people to try it.  I love it!  I'm following some great educational organizations, teachers, and news organizations.  I've found some relevant and interesting articles on regular education and special education and I'm enjoying reviewing my twitter feed every day.  I used to unwind by reviewing my Facebook feed and would skip over most of the content as it did not interest me.  Twitter is like my FB newsfeed but with content that I am interested in seeing instead of what someone ate for dinner.

While researching my flash mob/smart mob presentation, I found this image and article so I just had to share!  I was attracted to the image and giggled when I first saw it. But the article is about the powerful use of Twitter in social movements and revolutions, no laughing matter. 

Who's afraid of twitter?

Blog post #2  Stages of Technology Integration:
I found the Stages of Technology Integration to reflect my personal experience with technology.  I think I am in the adaption phase but fall back into the adoption phase when learning a new tech tool.  The Entry and Adoption phases were easy as I was not challenged or frustrated.  

The current phase of adaption is rewarding yet frustrating, a true learning phase.  I love mastering a new tool and sharing it with my colleagues and friends, but the process can be painful.  This class is a perfect example of the joys and frustrations of this phase.  The new tools are great and fun, but I lack the foundational skills to navigate them with ease.  So I am often frustrated by trying to figure out how to learn those foundational skills in order to use the cool tool presented in class.  I am not native to technology and feel my age and lack of experience when I attempt to perform a task that is easy for others but aggravating for me. I've tried to keep up with technology and I'm not afraid or averse to learning but I do get lost along the way.  I tend to learn only what is necessary at the moment and want everything to be user friendly and easy.  A good example is my television.  I don't watch TV but use Netflix on my computer.  I have to ask my son to set up the cable on the television, not because I can't do it but I don't want to take the time to learn.  Instead of learning how to use Netflix on my television, I just watch the movies on my laptop. 

I took this class to push myself to move beyond my comfort zone and really explore new tools to use in the classroom.  Before embarking on my new tech adventure, I learned only what I needed  and while I was not resistant to employ technology, I didn't spend enough time dedicated to learning new tools or using them enough to become tech savvy.  For example, when the district gave every classroom a smart board, I was in the Entry phase and unhappy as it took up space and I was afraid my students might break it.  I was annoyed that it was placed in the way of my white board and didn't want it.  I started to use it to show educational videos and slowly tried it for interactive lessons.  I still need to learn more but the smart board saved me on many occasions. I realized I was moving from adoption to adaption when I started encouraging my co-workers to use google docs, created google docs of each teacher's schedule, and even became annoyed when one therapist refused to use a google doc to plan therapy times with the group. 

I hope that I can be solidly in the Adaption phase and start the Appropriation phase by the end of our technology class. I am still learning shortcuts in pages and need to learn so many foundational skills so it may take a while.  I am more excited and motivated since starting this class. When my computer was stolen this summer, I had not set up find my mac so I could not track it.  Luckily, the pawn shop ran the serial number and we were able to retrieve it but it took a month and everything was wiped off my computer.  So I tell everyone to set up find my mac and find my iPhone and I feel like a former smoker as I 'preach' to anyone that will listen about the benefits of technology. 

Hello or Hey (as they say where I grew up) 

I am a special education teacher and this is my 17th year teaching. As you can tell from this photo, I enjoy my job and like having fun with my students and fellow teachers and co-workers.  

Halloween 

I wish I that meant I was 39 but I took some time off to be with my two boys when they were young.  Alas, Max is a junior in college and Liam is a senior in high school.  

My boys in Aruba

I'll be an empty nester soon so I'm trying to prepare for this big transition by taking up old and new hobbies.  
As part of this plan, I'm taking a tech class and blogging is part of the class and may become a new hobby. I  love creating art but don't spend enough time doing what I love.  I once was a good potter but have spent my creative energy fixing up my last three houses instead.  I enjoy DIY projects and will soon paint my kitchen cabinets as I find painting very relaxing.  I just took a fused glass class and it was a blast so I'd like to pursue it.  If I could I would have a glass blowing/ pottery studio and be a full time artist.  

My pottery and glasswork

I love to travel and would love to teach abroad for a few years.  I've visited most of the states in the US, many countries in Europe, a few in South America, a few in Central America, and many Caribbean Islands. We lived in Turkey when I was seven (my father was a Fulbright Scholar). The experience was quite difficult for my parents but I just remember it as a grand adventure.  

View from hotel room in Aruba

I love spending time with my family and travel to Kentucky often to be with them.  My mother is almost 83 and has mild cognitive impairment (precursor to Alzheimers).  My mother's best friend is twenty years younger and helps take care of my mom.  Her name sums her up, Jewell.  She is like the sister I never had and I love spending time with her.  In addition, I have three brothers and we enjoy boating and jet skiing on Lake Cumberland.  

My mother and 'sister'

I love my friends!

My friends, Jen and Lori

I love my co-workers!

My EC team

Life has thrown me some curveballs but I've bounced back and I'm grateful to be alive.  It's all a learning process and now I've learned how to blog. Hope you enjoyed my introduction. 
Lynn