Blogging

A friend of mine who teaches reading told me a couple years ago that students don't read anymore. However, Penrod, in her book Using Blogs to Enhance Literacy, points to blogs as something that is motivating young people to read and write more. That's good news.

A few years ago, an SCSU professor had a blog where he expressed his political views. I read it a couple times out of curiosity, but didn't find it very interesting, not because of the content, but because I didn't particularly like reading a computer screen.

I found out last year that a family member of mine has a blog. It's very interesting writing and it's enjoyable to get to know her better through that medium. Still, I haven't visited it much.

Now, here I am with my own blog. In much the same way I have trouble reading other people's blogs, I'm having trouble motivating myself to write mine.

Skype discussion

I was trying to think of some "fun" thing I've discovered that I could talk about with the class on February 16th. It suddenly hit me that I've just discovered Skype. Well, I didn't discover it in the same way Al Gore discovered the Internet, but it's a new technology to me.

As I thought about it I realized there must be some classroom applications for Skype, after all in some ways it is more powerful technology than moos and blogs. On Skype you can see the person you are talking to, you can write a chat, you can make conference calls and talk to up to 10 people at a time. So, between now and the 16th, I'll do research on Skype, learn more about it and see if and/or how others are using it in classrooms. I'm excited to talk about this new technology with my classmates.

Skype

My latest venture into the world of new-age technology is Skype. Caitlin has it in Ecuador and I watched her talk face to face with her boyfriend while I was there. So, I called my husband and told him he should get it on my computer so we could talk and see each other (for free) while I was there. He was a little reluctant because when he had tried programs like that in the past it messed up my computer. Since Caitlin was being successful with it, I was pretty insistent that he try.

The next night, there he was. After only talking to him once in 2 weeks and not having seen his sweet face, it was exciting to see him and hear his voice. We talked for about an hour, then ended the session with a "kiss." Then talked again the next night.

After I got back home on Friday, I wrote to my brother and suggested he download skype. I skypped Caitlin to let her know I made it home OK. I'm telling all my friends about it in the hopes they will get connected.

But, technology can be problematic in some ways. For me, it was a problem because yesterday, each time I got on the computer to do some work for class, I got a skype call and got distracted from my work. I had planned to catch up with my blog, but didn't. I was going to discuss some articles, but didn't. BUT, I did get familiar with and comfortable with a new technology, so that should count for something.

A little early

Caitlin and I were out this afternoon, doing a little sightseeing and souvenir shopping. I was never completely able to focus on what we were doing because I kept checking the time, wanting to make sure we got back to the apartment in time to log into acadiana for class. I didn't want to be late again. About 4:30, I told Caitlin we should start heading back, not knowing how long the taxi ride would take given it was rush hour. She thought we had plenty of time. By the time we got to the taxi, it was about 4:50 and I was getting pretty anxious.

As it turned out, I didn't need to be. The taxi ride took about half what it did going there so we were back in the apartment by 5:20. Plenty of time to get settled, make a cup of tea, and get logged in before class starts.

Then I realized, we're on Eastern time. An hour later than Minnesota! Waahh. I could have done more shopping.

Elfinwood

I went into Elfinwood today to do a little practicing before class. I'm happy to say I finally learned how to wave! Ah, the simple pleasures of life.

Judyk was there, asleep. Does she live there?

Another day in Ecuador

Another day in Ecuador, another visit to the medical establishment.

I was up early this morning, and did some work for class. I was able to do some reading and some posting and got my technology philosophy statement uploaded. Yippee. Now, we are getting ready to take Caitlin to the hospital, or Dr., I'm not sure which. She is still having serious stomach problems. It's been over a week now. She took all the meds that were prescribed during the first hospital visit and the problem is still there so she will have it checked again.

I'm feeling better so I think I'll live without seeing a Dr or taking antibiotics. I would love some more Pepto-Bismol, though. I used up the small supply I brought and haven't been able to find it here. Maybe the Dr. we talk to today will be able to tell me how to ask for it in Spanish.

Yesterday I didn't feel well enough to go out of the apartment, so I was able to get some of my classwork done. I felt very productive.

Today, we were well enough to get out for about 3 hours. We went up to the top of one of the local peaks via a gondola ride, then a walk that took us higher. We ended up at 4100 meters. Between the cold I have and the altitude, I thought I would die. But since I'm here writing, obviously I didn't.

Now we are both too tired to go out and do any more sightseeing, so after I put in a little more time on classwork and get my philosophy statement uploaded to D2L, we'll probably watch a movie on Caitlin's computer.

There's another piece of Ecuador technology to tell you about--we can buy first run movies for $1.00. She bought the latest Batman, Bride Wars, the new James Bond (Quantum of Solace), and Australia.