My Experience of 23 Things...

     Remember this guy!  I knew I could do it even though I have to say there where some late nights when I did not think I would EVER get to this post and yet now that I am finally here I know it will not be my last...I have really enjoyed blogging and I know that I will continue to do it.  I have learned so much that it is very difficult to say what exactly was my favorite "Things".  However, I guess if I had to choose it would be creating my avatar and live binders.  I loved creating my avatar and I remember how excited I was and well it began this journey.  I also loved the live binders because they seem extremely useful for a quick reference while I'm in college and I believe that they will help me to create great lesson plans.  
     This blogging journey has helped a non-traditional student like me to see that technology is not nearly as scary and intimidating as I had once believed.  I now feel comfortable using new tools and I even feel assured enough to recommend them to others.  This outcome surprises me because I was terrified at the beginning of this process and I just knew I would struggle along and poke my way through and yet I really didn't.  I did okay!  I even had fun! 
    I don't feel like this program needs any improvement at all because like I have said before, "If I can do it anyone can!"  The tutorials made the process painless...I promise and it's all extremely useful in our lives and future careers!  I love taking a class and saying that!  In addition, Dr. Wall explains everything in class and is very approachable.  That makes all the difference!
     Everything I learned in Education 3040 and while working on the 23 Things assignment will definitely help me in my future classroom.  I have said before that I was intimidated by technology and I had convinced myself that as an English teacher I would have little need for it.  This idea was quite comforting.  However, I was wrong!   My eyes have been opened and now I see!  I can use blogs to help my students feel more comfortable expressing themselves, I can set up blogs about the books we are reading in class, I can even set up blogs to discuss other books that maybe we don't have time to read in class but I would like to encourage my students to read,  I can use technology to introduce new information, organize my day and lessons, and save myself time while staying up to date on the most current information! 
     I plan to do all the things I just listed and keep myself current on technology and new concepts in education.  I will blog and incorporate a blog into my classroom.  I will use power points, (but not too many), just enought to add to my introduction of a new topic or to reiterate an important idea.  I will definitely use google calendars and templates to organize and make my life a bit easier.  I will also use RSS feeds to stay current on the latest news and reviews of literature.  I do not always have time to watch the news so I will more than likely rely heavily upon any easy way to get quick information. 
    I just want to give a special thanks to Dr. Wall all my blog friends/followers, as well as Anne and Sara...Thanks for all your help in class!!! :)