EDLD 5397-Week 4 Web Conference

I am excited and also saddened after attending the Saturday morning web conference from my iPhone. Adobe Connect has a free app to allow you to connect from your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. I was happy to find this app since I am gone on Saturdays often to places that do not have wifi--or at least not open access. This web conference was a bit of trial and error. While I was unable to see the chat log--I am still trying to diagnose that problem--I was able to add to it, and both my audio and video worked fine. I chose to forgo the use of video because I was moving around a lot and dealing with children, but having audio and the ability to speak when I needed was rather useful. I am excited to have an app that was both free and applicable to my needs.

Overall, I still feel a little lost in my reflections. I often feel that I am meeting the requirements of the reflections, but since I do not outright reference the guiding questions I think I am loosing points. I mentioned in my comp exam this week about my struggle with academic writing, but it is specifically an issue with reflective writing. I feel like I am repetitive and wordy writing the reflections. I also find it hard to re-reflect on courses from over a year ago...especially when some courses fell in emotionally stressful times due to the loss of two family members this year from cancer. I am happy to say though that Dr. Abernathy as well as the other professors in the program have all been very reassuring during the various struggles I have had during the course of graduate school.

EDLD 5370 Web Conference Week 3

I don't know if some of us are simply tired and ready to get through, or if there truly are no new questions to ask. However, tonight's web conference was short as there were only a couple of key concerns related to the course. The first concern was not about this week's assignment, but rather about our field-based hours. I asked if the monthly report was the only one required, but once again we are being asked to reflect on our reflections which has become redundant. I am finding it harder and harder to find something new to say. The second major question was concerning organization of our comprehensive exam paper. I am less worried about this as it seems to be more organic in style, where as the reflections were organic the first time.

At least I have some ideas of where to go while I am in Beaumont. I did appreciate knowing about the reception, and i am glad that Dr. Abernathy seriously answered my question about restaurants. Now if only I can get past the fact that there is too much on my plate right now.

Web Conference Week 2

After this evenings web conference, I am certain that I am not the only one struggling with the amount of work that has been left for this last course. I don't think any of us, at least in my Skype group, are intentionally being whiny. I think if you look at all of our groups lives you would see that we are all busy, all the time. I think you would also see that we up to this point have felt confident in our time management. If anything, there are courses that we felt left us wondering what next. Instead in this course it feels like there are some things, like the course-embedded assignments that could have been addressed with the expectation giving in this course at the beginning of the program. I would have felt better about the expected level of writing if had been throughout. I do admit that like I stated in the web conference, I would much rather give a speech than have to type the reflections. I have never been a journalistic type of person.

On a more assignment focused note, I am glad to know that the comprehensive exam may not flow the way I am used to writing flow. I keep looking at my comprehensive exam thinking that it is missing transitions. Unfortunately, how do you transition from leadership goals to the Horizon Report? I am glad that both Dawn and Dr. Abernathy mentioned that it may sound choppy now, but will come together by week five. I suppose that this is just the place that I am in as a speech teacher and writer. Sometimes the transition back and forth has been challenging, but I am excited by all that I have learned. The information from my graduate school courses has helped me to make an impact in my teacher organization, my classroom, and my school.

Web Conference Week 1 Part 2

This web conference was short, but provided some very helpful insight on the reflections for our field-experiences. I am not so worried now about the inconsistency of my reflections since I will be able to connect some of the reflections for continuity.

It was also nice to hear that there will be a study of teachers using e-portfolios in their classrooms. I am hopeful that through some of the discussion in Dr. Abernathy's research, I can learn to introduce and use e-portfolios in a more successful manner in my classroom. It has been a rather rocky start.

Internship Web Conference-Week 1

This week's web conference was a great start to this final course before graduation. EDLD 5370 will be not only my internship capstone course, but also my final course through Lamar University. Dr. Abernathy was very helpful in answering questions regarding course completion before graduation (we need to have everything in no later than 11/13) as well as helping us understand the expectations for our comprehensive exam.

After this evenings discussion, I a particularly thankful that I have completed many of the internship documents to place on my wiki to this point. While I don't expect this course to be hard since I have kept up with everything, I know it will be a useful time for reflection.