The Geek's Classroom

Thanks to my friends and family for coming to my graduation party. And thanks to Michelle's for a great location and a great "snack".

Labels: celebration, family, masters program

Ok - anybody that is as curious as I am as to what an online graduation ceremony looks like, I have some extra tickets ;) Email me at [removed since the ceremony is over] and I'll send you the URL and the super-secret password! The graduation ceremony is available any time from January 7th (starting at 7am MST) to February 5th. Rudy Giuliani is scheduled as the commencement speaker.

Labels: celebration, masters program

So, now even my wife is nagging me to blog something.... (If that is the height of the spousal nags, I must be doing ok...)

So, why has there been a three week lag between posts? Is my life that uninteresting? Has my life been that uneventful? Have I given up on thinking altogether? The answer most assuredly is no (except for a small yes on that last one).

Last week I completed my masters degree. Quite easily the greatest feat of my life as far as any determination and perseverance goes. I started in February and completed a total of 48 quarter hours - all the while holding down a full-time job (this teacher only got 2 weeks "off" over the summer -for the birth of my son, Alex), expanding my family (see the previous comment about Alex), and having a significant job change (from being a programming teacher and assistant tech to being the technology coordinator for the whole school). The transition to the new job was done in three weeks (while trying to hire a replacement for my previous position). And did I mention that the entire degree was online - including group projects? About all that could have added more stress is moving and/or getting married.

I am now done! And so the concept of writing - for a blog or otherwise - didn't seem exceedingly appealing. I am also trying to figure out graduation day - also an online event - and since I am a first generation Masters graduate, my families are talking about a graduation party.... (I will blog more on graduation as I figure things out.)

I will be filling my time for the next months getting to know the aforementioned son. And I will be team teaching a class this spring semester.

Labels: blogging, celebration, family, masters program

In my masters classes right now, we are having huge discussions about how computer mediated learning is student centric. I have pointed out to many people in these discussions that "if a teacher tells a student to go to a particular web site, student obedience is called student initiated; however, if the same teacher tells the same student to open a book, student obedience is called teacher initiated." Why is that?

Labels: frustration, masters program

So, I get two weeks of "fall break" in my master's schedule.... And so, now I have all this free time.... Break is almost over and what do I have to show for it? One blog entry and very sore thumbs from playing Lego Star Wars every night....

Perhaps on Sunday when my life gets busy again, I'll be able to find time to blog! Go figure!

Labels: breaks, masters program, Xbox