Post-Partom Depression

In September 2011, I was diagnosed with Post-Partom Depression. This was terrifying to me, but also made me somewhat realived; maybe all the crazy I was feeling was not me, but a disease that had taken over my being. I began reading and learning everything I could about this, trying desperately to learn how to manage this condition. As I read, I connected with the symptoms and what other mother's wrote about the way PPD made them feel. But I also felt crazy! How could I, someone who has no history of mental health problems, loves their child immensely, and has a wonderful support system, be dealt this card? Why? I became very angry with God and angry with myself.

Six months later, I still feel this way. Why? I have struggled with this question my whole life (i.e. why are kids abused? why does divorce exist? why do we hurt one another? why is there mental illness?). Friends have told me I need to let go. Accept this diagnosis, deal with it, and move on. How? How do I do this? Not having the answer drives me nuts. I am the person that wants the answer to everything. To the point that I will read the manual to learn more about an appliance! (Nerdy! I know!).

I have no answer. I simply now I have this disease and don't know what to do. I do not want my family to suffer. I do not want to suffer. I pray that God takes over and heals me and my family.

Survey/Technology/E. Brabec

I am not surprised by the survey and its findings. I think that most parents are unaware of what goes on at school and of the amount of technology already being used in the classroom. But some of the data presented here wasn't very compelling. The "disconnect" between parents and educators was less than 20% -33% of parents thinking we are preparing our students well,versus 51% (possibly) of principals.
I think the most telling result was that 40% of students admitted to thinking we're doing a good job. To get a teenager to admit that schools are doing a good job - that's huge! And they're the ones who should really know! I agree with the blogger who asked, "What kind of technology are the students supposed to be learning anyway?" It seems to me, too, that most kids already have technology skills.
If I wanted to find out what parents might be expecting their child to be learning in my French class, I'd send out a survey. Should they be memorizing vocabulary? Presenting power points? Making spread sheets? Checking out cool French web sites? Speaking French? Learning behaviors acceptable in French culture? The results would be interesting to analyze.

What Do Parents Want?

Before Nov 23, Please read the article "Parents: Focus more on 21st-century skills Schools must do more to prepare students for information-age careers, say respondents to a national ed-tech survey"   at http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=61504

In your blog comment address the following questions.
Were you surprised with the survey and article?
What is one way you can learn what your students' parents are expecting?
Of course you can add anything else you wish and you are encouraged to read and comment on your colleagues' comments.

Review and investigate the following wiki
http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/About+This+Wiki

This wiki was created for school library media specialists by Dr. Donna Baumbach and Dr. Judy Lee, University of Central Florida. The purpose is to provide information about some of the new web-based tools (Web 2.0) and how they can be used and are being used by school library media specialists and their students and teachers.

Direct your comments to two areas:
1) Did the information on this wiki help you learn about Web 2.o?
2) After investigating this wiki and with your experience with Web 2.0, give one example of how you might use a Web 2.0 application in your classroom.

Using the internet is engaging and fun but here is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet. Sifting through it con be very time consuming. Knowing how to limit findings on a search engine is very helpful.
Switching from using pc to a mac has been a problem for me, sort of like going from using a stick shift to an automatic transmission in a car.
Making a html requires knowing and following all the steps.

Session 6

Please watch the video "Why We Need To Teach Technology in School." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VnHdqpE4RMWhat is your reaction? In your opinion, is the video correct or incorrect or biased?In what specific ways should the content of this video impact education?

Skills for the 21st Century

Schools should be changing but are they? Check out this article http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1568480,00.html.