As I have been working through the on-line instructor coursework, I have most defnintely been challenged to learn the new material.  I am finding it interesting and I am excited that when I hear others talking "technology" I have somewhat of a clue now as to what they are talking about.  I have always enjoyed a challenge and am glad that I have been able to experience this new learning through the eyes of a student.  This will help me to remember that all students are coming to my class at different technology awareness levels and that I will not only need to differentiate my content, but also my technology instruction. 

I have found that Skyping will be extremely important for the students I work with.  Many have stated that our classroom works with their school age parent status because we are like a family and the students have a part of the day when everyone in the room understands where they are coming from.  They feel a part of something.  If someone is taking our coursework at home, I will need to work extra hard to be sure they are involed in forums, collaborative projects, live presentations, skping and journaling. 

iPad class

This past week I spent a day in our school district iPad full-day training.  I have to admit that I was excited because so much of what was being talked about I had already experienced either in this on-line instructor class or in other work that I had been involved in throughout the past year.  Working with technology has defnitely been a "step outside the box" situation for me and I am so glad that I have chosen to do so!  I am really looking forward to working with my students in new and exciting ways.

 On a funny side note, I was with my own four girls the other day and they were talking about skype.  One of my little sweeties (ok not so little anymore...they are all college and high school age) said in a very surprised tone, "Did you guys know Mom can do Skype all on her own now and doesn't even ask for my help to set it up!"

Skyping has become such an amazing tool for personal and professional use.  I have used Skype for personal reasons to communicate with my college-age children and family that lives out of town.  I also Skype with friends who live both near and far!  I am really excited to dabble into the Skype world for professional use.  I am planning on using for Skype mentors, epals, and reading buddies.  Since my students are School Age Parents, they can communicate with their mentors via Skpe, have epals who are in a similar situation, and reading buddies with a younger child to practice for use with their own child(ren).  I would also like to use Skype for guest speakers and with students who are on maternity or paternity leave or bed rest to feel a part of our classroom community.

I was able to do some reflection after today's on line instructor class.  So much of this is new to me and I am truly enjoying all of the new learning that I am involved in.  It made me think about my high school students who will be working on laptops and iPads this year.  All will enter my classroom at different levels and I will need to differentiate all the instruction so that my students who are not familiar with technology do not become frustrated with that piece and then never get to my moodle course content.  We are developing an introduction course instructing the students as to how to navigate around in moodle, which all students will be required to take prior to beginning their coursework, but again, differentiation will be the key.

What a wonderful and new experience Shared Journeys High School has been for me.  I have spent most of my career in elementary education as well as working as a reading teacher.  This past year I applied for and became the School Age Parent Teacher for the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District, where I have taught for my entire 24 year teaching career. 

I now work with high school students who are pregnant or parenting.  I absolutely LOVE what I do each and every day.  These students work so hard to overcome the many barriers in their lives in order to be good parents and to achieve academic success. 

The vision for Shared Journeys is academic and parenting success.  The mission is to provide expectant and school age parents an opportunity to complete a high school education, encouraging strong parenting, healthy lifestyles and building post-secondary skills through supportive community and innovative learning environments.

Since many of my students have a difficult time getting to school due to day care or quite possible being placed on bed rest, we are developing all the courses on the Moodle platform so that students can take a laptop home and continue their coursework from home.  In the past I was taking work back and forth to their homes.  This will ensure that they will be able to witness first hand information such as podcasts and virtual tours as well as feel connected to what we are doing in class.

With the coursework being placed onto the Moodle platform, I need to learn the skills necessary to be able to work with my students in this role.  I am so excited to be learning about google docs and see that as a way to receive permission slips, to create quizzes and materials from anywhere.  This will be such a benefit for me when I am traveling to many sites throughout the day and can access my materials at anytime!  I have created two blogs.  One I am going to use as a weekly newsletter to inform students and parents of our classroom happenings.  The other one is this one for my own personal use...a journal opportunity to reflect on my learning.

Welcome to my Shared Journeys!