Journal Week 1

Group moderation of discussions will be interesting, and I think that it will allow us to verbalize our thoughts and ideas in a better way. We sometimes hold back if the instructor moderates, but knowing that it is a class member will, hopefully, open the doors of communication wide. This will be the first class that I have taken that will use this and I am interested to see how it will work.


I haven't yet started our concept map and am intrigued to see how it will come together. I have never attempted one of these and hope that I am able to complete it with some resemblance of what it should look like.
I enjoy online learning, although I find that I am easily distracted from my learning when working at home. Barnes and Noble or Starbucks become my learning centers with fewer distractions! That sounds like a oxymoron, more people equals less distractions!

I am intrigued by the graphic notes taken by some at conferences, often called sketch notes,, (http://mindmapswitch.com/techniques/sketch-notes-quick-mind-mapping/) and would love to be able to blog on paper then upload to Blogger, I'll look into the possibility through iGoogle.


I'm not sure about using blogs in the classroom; I am not a K-12 teacher so am not familiar with how or why you might want to use them. I teach a class in listening skills and so listen to others by my own teaching standards. Often when listening to someone there is always one that tries to one up the speaker. By using blogs with adult learners, we allow them to offer an opinion without anyone one-upping them, but others can listen by reading, digest, mull over, and then offer their opinion. They are in a safe place to offer opinions. I'd love to know if this happens in the classroom.