WEEK ONE

This is the first week of my third class in the educational technology program.  I took two classes in the spring and then took the summer off to complete major work projects at my institution.  I work at a community college in the retention department.  Summer is a very busy time for us!  But it did not keep me from becoming excited about my fall class schedule in this program.  That was until I had to get an etext.

It really is ironic.  I am the one who has been encouraging students to try etexts for the last five years.  Especially those students in my age bracket who have vision issues, as I do.  It is so easy to adjust the font size on an etext.  It is so easy to highlight a passage and send it to a search vehicle for more information or to a document to build into notes or a paper.  But actually using one for my own use; I have not had the pleasure - or pain! 

This week has been a struggle for me.  What is that old expression about teaching old dogs?  Well, I guess I am one.  But as my grandma always tells me "This too shall pass!"  I will get used to reading online and I bet I will love it eventually.  I will never replace the feeling of turning a page or the weight of a book in your hand, but the other things I have been telling my students, really are true!

I have been reading my classmates blogs and postings.  I am so glad that I am not the only non traditional age student in the class and yet I am so glad that we have so many young students.  They have so many more hands on experiences than I.  Sure, I had a computer class in high school.  There was one room that had computers; one.  My first computer got me through my undergraduate degree and it was a COMPAQ Presario with a 3 inch floppy drive.  Sill have my first Master's papers on them if anyone wants to read them. 

The largest thing I have gotten out of reading this week is that I will be reading a great deal outside of the book.  I will need to make sure that I complement what we are doing in the texts with what I need to know in my educational field or I will not be using my time wisely.  So I will be reading articles in educational journals and online blog by higher education professionals to see how and what they are doing what we are learning in this class.