I had the pleasure of taking an online course with Dr. Couros during the winter term. In previous reflections, I blogged about how valuable the course was. Not only did I really think about appropriate use of technology in my classroom, but implemented a variety of projects with the students I work with.

Dr. Couros used the words personal and professional often as he talked about the course and the use of technology. These words have stuck with me and I use them often as I speak to my colleagues and the next level of system administration in our system. I am pleased to be presenting tomorrow to my colleagues about an online forum where we will discuss the book “New Principal’s Fieldguide”. As I speak to my colleagues in the morning, I will once again discuss the value of becoming familiar with using these tools ourselves. As we model and discuss web 2.0 tools at our building level, people begin to ask questions and want help.

Perhaps one of the most exciting things that happened today was my meeting with Dr. LeDrew. She is my instructor for the last of my course work in my graduate program and her passion is healthy, active living. It is somewhat natural for teachers to integrate language arts and social studies with technology but less common to integrate physical education, technology and reading and writing. My last class involves a project in this area.

One of the components of this course is a reflective component. When Dr. LeDrew suggested I keep a journal about the activities I am doing with the students I work with, it didn’t take me long to show her this blog. I suggested that I use my blog as my journal and she agreed. I love this idea because it feels like it fits right into my professional life. I found blogging in my last course helped me to clarify my thoughts and I know that this will continue throughout this project. I am thankful that Dr. LeDrew saw my excitement about this and agreed to let me use my blog as my reflective journal.

The second part of the course is to create an online resource for teachers. If you were in my course last winter, you know the value of a wiki. Stay tuned. Shortly I’ll be creating an Active Minds, Active Bodies wiki. Online resources regarding active living and health literacy will be available (free) for teachers.

When Dr. Couros offered this course last winter, I wonder if he thought his students would be encouraging other professors at the University of Regina to utilize Web 2.0!