Blogging in the classroom to make connections...

I'm really starting to think that my students might benefit from blogging. My reasoning is because they love to write, often have too much that they want to say, and they don't know each other too well. All but one of my students comes from another school as part of the Gifted Center program. I'm used to 1-2 weeks of transition for my former students (students who have been here at their home school for several years and already know each other). It really does take quite a bit of time for students to become familiar with the school, program,me, and each other. I feel that blogging could help them to build relationships and make connections with each other.

My problem is that after they have some time to do that... how do I steer them into more content driven blogging? How do I incorporate this into my weekly schedule?

Moderating an Online Class is Like Working in an Air Traffic Control Tower...

Last week's class on Eluminate reminded me of being in a busy airport hub. It was sometimes noisy, crowded, participants took off and landed with their ideas, and we stuck to our flight plan. The moderators were well organized (as any airline should be) , asked thorough questions (thankfully no security checkpoints screenings were needed), and they called on people to share in a democratic matter (first plane on the runway takes off with others waiting behind).

If you've been on a recent flight, especially on United, you would know that passengers have the opportunity to listen to the air traffic transmissions. The moderators from last week reminded me very much of these air traffic controllers. They were swift with the take offs and smooth with the landings. They maintained the flight schedules and made sure that every passenger had a chance to share. Even those that were quietly observing. When you think about it... teaching is considered one of the most stressful jobs. It usually ends up on every top 25 most stress induced job list. Air traffic controlling is no stranger to the list as well. So I have to say that I applaud the ladies from last week with their efforts for a stress-free flight and I hope that they sit back, recline their seats, and enjoy the rest of the flight in the upcoming online classes!

So What's in a Name Anyway?

My name is pretty simple if you ask me... M-A-R-L-O right? It's a five letter word, not very common I'll admit, but... you can even sound it out phonetically if you need to. Well you wouldn't think that it could be easy to screw it up but I will soon prove you wrong.

I ordered some ink from Dell and it arrived today addressed to MARLL. Now COME ON!!!

It all started when I was a little girl. I must not have pronounced my name loud enough because everyone always assumed that my name was MARLA because I'm a female and female names end in an "a" not an "o". Whenever someone hadn't seen me in a while they would call me any one of the following, Margo, Margot or Marla.

It's really my dad's fault. He had a massive crush on Marlo Thomas (you know.. That Girl?- for those of you who weren't alive during that TV series, you might know her better as Rachel's mom on Friends.) When my parents found out that they were having a baby, they came up with several names but picked two top choices if I was to be a girl: Brandy and Marlo. They got into a huge fight and my dad won. (Thanks Dad!)

Now that I'm older, I've run into many people with IQs less than a potato. For some reason, these people either can't hear or simply don't care. I've been called the following: Merlot, Melba, Marelot, Marlow, Marlowe, Mr. Marlo, Margot, Marla, Marls, and of course, today's favorite: Marll.

Despite all of this silliness with my name, I have to say that I really do like it. It's different, it's unique and who else can say that they're named after a furniture store?

I am making a public oath that when I name my child... I till try my best to brainstorm a list of every possible way to screw the name up so my child can avoid this name funny business... or maybe I won't. It does make for an interesting blog...

I've heard about blogging and have even read some of my friends' blogs however I'm a little weary of starting my own. I'm hoping this blog will serve as a sounding board for my thoughts as well as entertain those who read it. At this point in time, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the start of another school year: being a teacher to 28 students and as well as a student myself. Therefore... I'm going to leave this blog with a giant "MORE TO COME..." sign.