Lifelong Learning 2.0

I am a goal-setting girl.

When it comes to project completion, I operate best if I take a few moments to set goals for myself in writing.  It puts things in perspective and holds me accountable to completion.

I thought I’d share the post that I have on the blog that I use with my students and their families.  It may be helpful to some teacher out there who has been on a similar journey as I have these past 10 months of taking a good look at pedagogy for best teaching practices and discovering how technology and tools can fit in.  It can put one in the state of being overwhelmed.  Unless….  you take time to narrow in on just a few things to apply, and set goals to that means.

It is only the beginning of May, you ask?  True.  Yet in the past 18 years of teaching, I’ve found that if I take time to do goal-setting and planning in May, then I’ll be more reflective than I’ll be in August, when the whirlwind of meetings, and set-up and expectations begin.

Here’s the post, written to my families, taken right from my other blog:

In the previous post, I’ve shared the mission and core values of Visions in Education. Our mission is to prepare each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world. An important part of this mission is a focus on helping students become familiar with the technology tools that are available. These tools can help students communicate, collaborate and contribute now, as a student; in their future education; and later, in the workforce.

I’ve taken the opportunity this year to learn more about educational technology, research how teachers are integrating it into their curriculum, and investigate some of the web 2.0 technology tools available. I am learning so much that I’m almost overwhelmed. (Okay, I’m already overwhelmed.) To help, I am choosing to focus in on just a few things for next year the next several years. I will be sharing more about these in the future. For now, here’s a brief description of the goals I’ve set to address our school’s mission statement.

1. Blogging: I will be using this blog to communicate and keep you informed. Additionally, I want to provide a place on the blog for student blogging. Students tend to write better when they have a purpose and an authentic audience. I will provide a “publishing place” on my blog for posting student-writing projects next year. There will also be a “student spotlight” which I’ll share more about later.
2. Social Networking: The Visions Homeschool Network will be used to facilitate community and connections for you and about 800 other parents. I have it just about ready to launch so you’ll have a chance to join before summer.
3. Technology Instruction: I’m not sure how this will take shape yet. This is in addition to regular tech instruction.  I hope to create a “Tech Club” for interested students. Let me know if you are interested in this or have ideas.
4. Project 2.0: This is a self-directed learning program that I am putting together for 7th-12th graders or Parent Educators who want to learn more about Web2.0. I hope to have it completed for the fall semester.  I’m really excited about this one!!
5. Online Portfolio Projects: Colleges are seeking out potential student candidates through online networks. I will be available to help your high school student create an online portfolio that they can add to throughout their high school years, and later present, as they apply for colleges and scholarships.  Let me know if you are interested.

If you have any thoughts about any of these, I would love to hear it. Post a comment below.

Creative Commons Photo Attribution:

Web2.0, by Tyler Howarth

Determination, by Pixleposition