Confession #1:
I am one of the few people who raised their hands when we were asked “who does not enjoy blogging?” Maybe it’s because I don’t really have much experience (I’ve only ever blogged as a requirement for other classes) or it could be the fact that I’m not a fan of writing and sharing my thoughts. But this semester I am going to have to blog for two of the three course I’m in (I am also taking GRAD-5104 Preparing the Future Professoriate). I think this semester can go one of two ways; I will either learn to love blogging and really find my voice or I will determine that blogging is just not the way that I can best express myself. I think reflection is an important part of success in anything, really. If you’re not taking the time to think through why and how you’re doing things, you’re closing yourself off to opportunities for improvement and progress. In this class, we have the opportunity not only to reflect for ourselves in our posts, but also get feedback from classmates with different perspectives, so I’m going to really try to embrace this experience and try to get the most out of blogging.
Confession #2:
I had no idea what this class was going to be about until I showed up on the first day. I signed up for this class because I am planning to become a professor and wanted to get the Future Professoriate certificate and this class was a required course to take.
After just one class, I understand why this course is included in the Future Professoriate certificate. Technology and social media have become an important part of how we communicate, learn and interact with one another and it is important that field of education embrace and adapt to these changes, rather than attempt to work in spite of them.
I found the TEDxKC talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8&feature=youtu.be) we watched in class to be very thought-provoking. It really highlighted the need for networked learning and integration of new media techniques to engage students in conversations about what they are learning and how they can apply their knowledge to real world situations. I can see how these practices can be implemented into classrooms that focus on events and thought-provoking ideas; however, in my field (Engineering), many introductory courses focus on facts and equations without much room for discussion, so I am interested to see how networked learning can be integrated into these type of courses.
Devine Thoughts 
Thank you for your honesty I totally feel the same way about blogging! I have never did it before actually so it was a struggle for me to figure this thing out! but again as you mentioned I feel like im either going to like it and find my voice or completely hate it lol But also as you mentioned I see why this course is important as well, technology and social media is moving and if we are going to be out there teaching in any field we are going to have to figure this thing out and network learn!
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I have had the same thoughts about trying to introduce more discussion into my intro to engineering course. I’ve been thinking about how I might integrate these tools in my classroom. I think Twitter would be helpful for sharing articles about different things BSE engineers do or maybe with live tweeting a guest lecture or having them submit questions during class that way. I’m not sure how well these will work but I’m curious about the different applications. Another blog I read also had a cool activity that I might use in order to facilitate discussion. Check it out. 🙂 http://bstudentsrock.com/gedis17/free-hugs-today-only/
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That’s a great idea about using Twitter to share articles relating to BSE. I also think that having guests lectures come in to talk to the class would be extremely beneficial to the students and could hopefully show them how what they are learning can actually be applied to the real world.
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I really appreciate your honesty about your reservations and am even more grateful that you’re game to give this a try. Thanks so much, and please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help or if you have any concerns.
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I have the same confession as your first. In my case however, I do like writing, I do like being creative with words. My problem is that I just don’t like to share my write ups. It makes me feel naked because the truth is, what I write is exactly how I feel and my feelings are not always right, neither are they always pleasant. Hopefully, blogging will give me the chance to spice up my words to reach a bigger audience, and perhaps, start feeling the right and pleasant ‘feelings’.
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I feel you. I haven’t had a blog since Live Journal and I’m a little more than concerned about the publicity of the Web. I’m interested in the Future Proffesoriate Certificate too. What other classes have you taken?
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I took Ethics in Engineering, Science, and Public Policy (CEE 5984) which I highly recommend, even if you aren’t an engineer! During the class we went through a few case studies (the focus was on the DC lead crisis and the Flint water crisis) to try to understand peoples motives behind unethical actions and also to learn why it is important to stand up for what you believe in and act ethically in everything you do. These cases were really eyeopening for me especially as an Environmental Engineer, I had been involved with a number of overseas projects to help bring safe drinking water to remote villages but I didn’t realize until taking this class that there were serious issues with drinking water here in the US.
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After reading our colleagues’ posts, I am beginning to get ideas about how networked learning can be implemented, even in engineering! The problem with engineering classes, at least for some students, is that they are too focused on equations, so that big-picture thinkers especially are dazed into thinking that they don’t fit the “mold.” Engagement, real-world applications, and conversations may be the solution!
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Hi Christina,
I was wondering if in the classes that you experienced having a “focus on facts and equations without much room for discussion” you discussed applications for any theory you discussed as “fact” and modeled with equations. I very much agree with your statement: “If you’re not taking the time to think through why and how you’re doing things, you’re closing yourself off to opportunities for improvement and progress.” Thank you for sharing your perspective about our class.
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