Parent Meeting

Today at a parent meeting, I mentioned that they will be able to check out what is happening in class as of 12:01 AM. They laughed and remembered that I am in my Master's program. She asked if she could email me questions about her student's work and she can help her. It was so nice to be able to give her three different ways she will be able to communicate with me; my homework voicemail, my email and my web page. Ultimately, this project has challenged me to reach out of my comfort zone in asking for help. As a result of that help, I was able to accomplish more.

Uploading the Grades

I have accomplished another major milestone today. I learned how to upload my grades to my web page. I had to make passwords for the students. At first, I used their names, but then I changed them to their eight-digit birth date. I also learned about another feature of the program. I am able to set up an email system where parents are sent their student's grade report. I was so excited to see this feature because this will allow me the opportunity to bring my product (the grades) to the parents which will then hopefully bring them back to the web page. When it is all done, I am planning on sending home a packet of information including how to use the grade page. Also, I want to gather email addresses for the grade reports. I am getting more excited about all of the functions. January holds so much excitement in providing more communication with the parents and students.

Meaning of Community

Tonight's TI was quite meaningful for me. As I paired up with Dwight and Jon, I realized once again the importance of community. Dwight's laptop was stolen with a completed portfolio and all of his other work in the bag. Just learning this information for the first time made me really sad because he wanted to walk away from everything he had done thus far. Feeling frustrated by due dates and projects, he shared that he wasn't sure whether or not he would be able to complete anything of worth. This was when Jon and I were able to remind him of the importance of making the program work for you, not the other way around. In education, we often fixate yourself on the end, the test, the results, and don't stop often enough to see where we've been and where we are now. Being able to learn how to reflect has been a very powerful experience for me. Through my reflection, I see the learning and am reminded of the importance of the process. Due dates have their place and projects do as well, but the essence of both of these things to highlight the accomplishment of what you have learned. I just wish I knew how to take this into my practice. I feel so stuck in our system of standards and objectives. My heart and soul pull me in one direction, but my mind brings me back to the reality of what I am fighting against.