Get the Picture?
Well, I have been absent from the world as we know it for several weeks now. I want to thank all of my well-wishers who recognize that I have a medically fragile (wow, is that a term of the times!) child and the roller coaster ride involved in such circumstances.
This absence is not to say that I have not been thinking about my final project. For some reason, I had this grand picture in my mind from the first day of my EC&I class what this project would look like. It has taken me two months to realize that creating this enormous monstrosity of a project goes against everything that I believe about technology and how it should be infused with education. To jam pack a bunch of stuff into a final project will not showcase my learning throughout the course. I will not benefit long term. It is like a crash diet, yes you will lose a lot of weight initially but in the end it will all come back and usually with a few more pounds. I need the smart, sensible lifestyle change that will benefit me for a lifetime. So, that puts me back to the very beginning. I am comfortable being where I am after reading and listening to what others in the class are doing as their final projects. I was even more convinced that I was on the right track after reading Weblogg-ed current blog which talks about Chris Jordan and the work titled, ” American Self-Portrait”. If you haven’t seen these photos, they are a must see. To me it captures how we tend to do so much without even thinking of the cause and effect of doing so. I brought this in to my own life and how I often see the big picture when I really should be focusing on the basics as well. It is so easy to get caught up in greatness of it all. The excitement sometimes gets the best of me!
Connie Cossar replied:
I agree, Angie. We are being fed so much new and exciting information about technology in our class, that it is hard not to want to dive in and do it all. I think you are reasonable in thinking that focusing on the basics might be best for now. Good luck on your project
March 2, 2008 at 8:05 pm. Permalink.
Rosanne replied:
Glad to see you’re back. Hope everything is going well with your family. Last time we spoke we were at the Divisional Office. How was your session? Should get more information this week regarding the next step. I, like you, will be focusing on the basics. I have enough information from this class to keep me going the next six months or longer! Good luck in your project.
March 2, 2008 at 9:20 pm. Permalink.
Kimberly Brown replied:
You’re right. You need to start small and add as you’re comfortable and have time. The technology can be overwhelming if you try to do everything at the same time. Take care of yourself and family.
March 3, 2008 at 3:31 am. Permalink.
Shaun Loeppky replied:
Angie said, “It has taken me two months to realize that creating this enormous monstrosity of a project goes against everything that I believe about technology and how it should be infused with education. To jam pack a bunch of stuff into a final project will not showcase my learning throughout the course. I will not benefit long term.” You have taken the words right from my thoughts Angie. Well put. I could have whipped up a project as well for the “short term” but the reality is I may be working on this (actually I will) long after the class is over..adding resources, tutorials, etc. It has to have meaning for the long term, doesn’t it? Learning means change, change takes time, and worthwhile change is demonstrated over long periods of time. Other than that, it becomes just a fad.
March 4, 2008 at 4:19 pm. Permalink.