Stormie eats everything

Hi all:

I think that you know that my dog Stormie is a puppy and she chews on everything just like a newborn. First, last week, she ate a packing peanut. Well, luckily it was one of the new ones that dissolves in water. I saw no adverse effects from that one. Tonight, I broke a glass and swept up the broken pieces, then I saw one little piece hanging from her mouth. I just have to watch her closer.

Quantitative is not that bad yet. I have worked 50 problems so far. We will see if it gets harder soon. I feel certain that it will. Keep me and Stormie in your prayers so that she will quite eating stuff she shouldn't.

Ready for a new adventure

Well, I have seen the new syllabus for 8438 (Quantitative Analysis). I am a little scared of the course but it is just 12 weeks. Surly I can do it for 12 weeks. I look forward to the learning and the challenge. Please pray for me as I work to make it through this class. Good luck to everyone as they work to finish their programs.

Week Twelve

Well, the end is near. I have learned so much by blogging with ya'll. I think knowing that you would read my blog made it so much more meaningful to me. I can see using blogging in class to complete reflections about lessons that the class has learned. Blogging will also be useful in hearing from the silent student. You know the ones that are reluctant to speak in class but really have much to offer.

One of my teachers is trying a blog this semester as they read The Great Gatsby. I am anxiously awaiting how the students feel about it as well as the lessons that the teacher has learned.

On MSN Messenger, I feel that I have learned as well. I have shared files with Yolanda and a picture with Lisa, chatted with Dr. Powley, Carlos, Lisa, David, Karen and Phyllis. David and I used the whiteboard as well. I hope that I did not forget anyone. Everyone was so patient with me and my screwy wireless. I think that I have gotten it fixed.

I see students using this tool every day. I think that this tool is useful as students can communicate with others. I see communicating with college admission offices, peers, parents, teachers, etc as just some of the uses for MSN.

I wish for all of you a happy holiday season and I hope to be in class with you again or maybe we can meet at a residency. I know that I am attending NECC in Atlanta this summer. Maybe we can meet then. See ya Dianne

Near the end

As this class winds down, I feel sad. I like this blogging and will continue but I wonder if anyone will read it. I know that my classmates are required to read it now. I look forward to reading their comments as well. I have learned so much this term. It is so much fun to blog and work with the other students in MSN. I know now what everyone looks like. I hope to one day meet you at a residency.

I like the simulation, simulation-game, simulation from this week. It is very interesting to me. I think that any teacher can make a game a learning experience depending on what they are trying to learn. For instance, why do you think that Windows came with solitaire? I always say that the Microsoft people were trying to allow the new user to become familiar with the mouse. Solitaire is a non-threatening way to accomplish that.

I have MSNed with David, Marilyn, Phyllis, and Dr. Powley and others. My wireless Internet has been messed us and my connectivity is spotty. One moment, it is good with 54. mbps and then it shoots to low with 1.0 mbps. I am working on it but I must apologize to all the people that I have been speaking with and then been dropped. Sorry. Dianne

Acronyms

There are too many letters to remember. I am not talking about spelling. I am talking about the differnet type of Learning Objects and the way that they are housed. Just when I think that I understand LCS and LMCS then comes LO and CO. I did get LOs more easily than LCS. When things are explained using libraries, and visual pictures that I am used to seeing, things become so much more clear.

I have had so much fun on MSN this week. I have voice chatted with Phyllis and used the whiteboard with David. I have chatted with Karen, David, Dr. Powley and others. I even tried to share a file with Dr. Powley. I feel so close to ya'll because I can see your pictures. When I see you at a residency, I may run up and hug you. This class is such fun. I think I will miss chatting with you.

Projects

I am not very creative. I have to work on it and bounce ideas off of people in an effort to come up with anything the least bit creative. I say this because I have been so impressed with the variety and creativity of my classmates with their projects and the feedback. Karen's podcast was near and dear to my heart, because I have done a podcast and know how much fun they can be. Carlos' web site was good and had really good content. I can't wait to see David's. He is always so helpful when I am MSNing. I could go on and on. But I loved Nia's feedback. I never even thought of doing a rubric even though I use them at school. I never thought about using one here. Ya'll are the brightest and I am learning every day from being around you.

I have talked with several friends this week via MSN. I spoke with Marilyn, David, Karen, and Dr. Powley just to name a few. David and I used the whiteboard which seemed a lot like paint. I am not an artist but I drew a house. I will try this again. I feel really close to all of ya'll. Dianne

Homework constantly

I think that people do not understand how much homework a student has when they are working on their Ph.D. I spend at least two to three hours every night working on different assignments. Sometimes I concentrate on one class for a little while and then I change to a different class. But I truly love the work. I am learning so much.

On top of that I have met friends that I know would help me no matter what. These friends live far away but I can still count on them. I am very happy with Walden University and the way that the system works. I love the residencies, the classes and the knowledge. I look forward to finishing a KAM. I think that it will help me to have one under my belt. I hope everyone is having this experience.

Another football saturday.

Today, I went to a football game. At least it was at home this week. My son caught one pass for a first down. He plays tight end for a running team--passes are few and far between. He spends most of his time blocking.

I am trying to figure out RSS. Anyone got any experience with making an RSS feed? If so, email me and I can pick your brain. Thanks. Dianne

Podcast is success

Hi gang!!! This week, I made my podcast. My guidance counselor has a night every year in the fall where she explains to juniors and seniors what the next couple of years holds for them. Well, for the students that had to work, I put it on the website so that they could listen to the hour long program. I used audacity and lame and it was really easier than I thought. The web link is http://www.mckenziehighschool.org/mhs/College_Night.mp3

Today, I took the day off to go watch another football game. The season is half over and I am excited to watch Clint play but also looking forward to hanging out at the house on Saturdays and doing homework and housework. (I rather do homework!!) I hope that you are having a great week.

Weekend of football

I am getting to like this blog thing. It is such fun. This week, I get to see 3 football games in less than 24 hours. I am going to watch the school that I teach at tonight, and then tomorrow, I am going to watch my son play football at 1:30 and my other son cheer at 6:00. It will be a fun filled day of Go offense!!!

As far as last week, I did not take Stormie to the ballgame. It rained for the entire game. I know that she was glad to stay at home. This weekend with the weather looking good, I am planning on letting her see what happens when I leave her at home. Football, Football and more football.

This week I am going to attempt a podcast of a night meeting. The guidance counselor has a parent's night for juniors and seniors and I am going to make it downloadable from our website. Wish me luck. Have a great weekend.

New Puppy

Well, this week in addition to teaching school, attending graduate school, and watching my son play football, I have added a puppy to my mix. It has been a fun filled week as this little 2 lb. wonder keeps me on my toes. I do homework now with a puppy in my lap. It is harder to type with one hand but I am coping.

I am going to a football game on Saturday. Luckily it is home which is only an hour away. I love home games. The question is: Do I take the new puppy? I am still thinking on it. I am adding a picture of my new baby--Stormie.

Weekend football

Hi! Well I am in Missouri this weekend. (I live in Tennessee). I have travled for 7 hours to watch my youngest son play football. I am in a hotel on Friday night and will see him play tomorrow. I work hard to have most of my work done before Friday and Saturday because I want to see him play. So finding a hotel with internet access is very important. Have a great night. Dianne

Hi: This is me at work. I look forward to meeting and seeing all of you. Dianne

Hi people. This is my blog for my class at Walden University. I am an Educational Technology PhD candidate there. I have always loved school and the Internet is making it possible for me to achieve my advanced degree even though I live in a small town in rural Tennessee. I have made many friends at Walden and I hope to make more. D.