Week 2: Technology with Tea

After spending a decent amount of time trying to figure out how to follow a fellow classmate's blog, I now have some fodder for this week's posting.  My initial reaction to blogging was that I was surprised at how easy it had seemed. And indeed, I still feel that the personal posting process is quite user friendly.  I have, however, come upon a challenge in trying to officially follow another blog that uses a different service (e.g. WordPress vs. Blogger).  It was quite easy to begin following John's blog because we share the same service.  Unfortunately, my attempts to find a spot for following Jeremy on Word Press was unsuccessful.  I'm sure this problem has a easy solution, it will just require more time digging around (a common attribute shared by most technological difficulties, in my experience). 

I found the TPI exercise to be quite useful and a good jumping board for facilitating discussions about teaching styles and perceptions.  A fellow biologist and I were discussing the results and Pratt's interpretations of the different styles.  Both of us had scored high in the Apprenticeship category and we found this natural based upon our field.  However, neither of us had approached the interpretation of the Apprenticeship category in the way that Pratt had discussed.  We had both approached this teaching perspective for the view of working with individuals rather than Pratt's interpretation of the collective group.  I had a secondary dominant category of Nurturing, which did not come as a surprise to me.  I feel that creating a comfortable environment and focusing on the students can lead to a wonderfully productive class experience. 

My last thought for the day: Most challenges in life, including those that involve technology, are best approached with a calming cup of Chai tea in hand....