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....

Let's kick-off the semester!

Hard to believe that 2012 has already arrived!  Along with that date comes the realization that my time at UGA is down to the year and a half mark.  Along with my dissertation research, I've been enjoying my involvement with the Interdisciplinary Certificate in University Teaching.  The courses that I've had up until this point have been very interesting and useful.  I'm looking forward to enhancing my teaching experience through active participation in this course (EDHI 9040).  I feel that a course focused on technology in the classroom will provide students with knowledge that is sure to be needed as a professor in this age of technological advances.  My past experiences with technology in the classroom has been rather limited (both as a student and as an instructor).  One area in which I've had experience as a student and am currently trying to utilize as an instructor is the use of a Wiki.  One of my previous education courses used a Wiki, which I felt enhanced the class experience.  This semester, one of my lab mates and I are assisting our professor with a course on Freshwater Mussel Biology.  We have set up a Wiki for this course, which I hope will assist in increasing active learning and student participation.  One thing I would like to accomplish in this course is exploring the possiblities of SoTL research with Wikis and learning how to effectively evaluate student use and satisfaction. 

Looking forward to a great semester!