Hindsight 20/20?

It is very difficult for me to look back and remember what the dark looked like.

What I mean by that is, this program has changed my world and my work so much that I don't remember how I did it before. Everytime I plan for a lesson now, there are so many sites and resources available to check my facts and display the material that it gets overwhelming.

I heard a colleague ask another colleague about the new kindle fire and if they knew anything about it. I fired off an email giving a link to CNET and their review of a couple products including the new kindle fire. Before this program, I would have just sat in the dark and not offered any input. It's not that I have an informed opinion on any of those products, but that I know where to find informed opinions.

This program has also changed the opportunities available to me as well. I am teaching 5 F2F and 1 online course. The online course is something I would never have dreamed of doing a few years ago. I was also afforded the opportunity to go to the Virtual School Symposium this past week and I do see the change is on the horizon. One statement made at VSS that I shared with my colleagues, I can't seem to get out of my head. One of the keynote speakers said, "by 2020, it is projected that 1/2 of all learning in this country will be online".

It is my obligation to share all of the information I have learned in this program and the VSS to everyone who will listen. There are a great deal of nay sayers. I used to be one of them. I liken this new age / revolution and teachers roles in it to workers such as the pipe fitters who worked with galvanized and iron pipe and were replaced by the plumbers and other tradesmen (people) who learned to work with PVC. A great many lost their jobs from a new technology that they did not learn. One can also look at our local mall - not much business at all. Online shopping has taken its toll. A new age is upon us!

CED0599

Overwhelming is a word that describes my current situation. I just returned from the 2011 Virtual School Symposium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wow! It was an event I would recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to go. The problem is, with all of the ideas it has given me to work on and all of the new websites to try, I have little time to do so.

Specifically, I must finish this Culminating Experience for 599, which I keep changing, altering or tweaking, if you will. It is entirely my fault. This past summer, I was given the opportunity to take on an extra class, online Algebra 2, for this year and now find myself with even less time. I will get through this. How do you eat an elephant (if you chose to)? Answer - One bite at a time.

Translation: At times in one's life the challenges can seem limitless and consequently overwhelming. The way to survive is by knocking out each task one at a time.

Perseverance is the word that I need to concentrate on.