A day that changed my life forever...

November 5th 2010 seems so far away...yet the events of that day are still so clear in my mind.  The only class I had that day was Dr. Smirnova's undergraduate course at 9:00 am.  I was contemplating skipping it considering my other two classes for that day were cancelled and it was raining and nasty out.  I decided to be a good student and drive the 50 minutes to and from the Mount.  I made it school perfectly fine in my little four door Honda Civic that I received two years prior as a gift from my parents.  The way home...was another story.  I've driven the Storm King Mountain a million times throughout my life. I used to use the expression, "I could drive it with my eyes closed." Boy, was I wrong! As I rounded one of the final turns coming down the mountain on my way home,  I realized just a little too late that I was driving a little too fast around the bend.  The wet roads from the rain did not help...in fact, it made it that much worse.  I lost control on my car and went head first into the mountain as I bounced off the mountain, I then crashed head first into the median where my car finally came to a sudden stop.

I don't know who the lady was that appeared at my driver's door but I wish I could Thank her today for what seemed like saving my life.  I tell people she was my "angle"...I swear she was a real person! She appeared at my door saying, "you were in a car accident!"....all I wanted to scream at the lady at the time was, "NO KIDDING!!!!!!" But I was in too much shock and panic to make out those words. I assume she thought I lost consciousness and she thought she was filling in some blanks...but unfortunately I was awake and aware the whole time. She said, "My husband is on the phone with 911...is anything hurt." All I could make out was "My dad....call my dad...you have to call my dad! I broke my leg!!!" Although I did not know exactly what was broken, the pain in my right leg was unbearable from my toes all the way to my hip. The lady was very hesitant to calling my father but finally she did. Luckily, my dad was on his way home and happened to be less than 60 seconds away from my car accident! My dad made it to the scene before the ambulance and police and when he arrived...the lady that was so kind and selfless disappeared and to this day I have no idea no she was.

When my dad arrived I began to have a hard time breathing and began sweating. The ambulance people claimed I was hyperventilating which I knew I wasn't!!! They finally got me on the stretcher and as soon as I laid down, I was experiencing a sharp pain right in my chest.  The ride to St. Luke's Hospital was horrible...every bump killed my leg and chest. When I got to the hospital, pain meds were given and xrays were taken....all to find out that St. Luke's couldn't even help me.  Apparently I was too busted up for them. So off I went to Westchester Medical Center where I spent the next 14 days recovering from Lung Surgery, where they had to put a chest tube in my lung for ten days and reconstructive ankle surgery; I have two plates and 10 screw put in.

Needless to say, I am lucky to be alive and I am grateful everyday to live the life that I live. (I am also very grateful I did not have a passenger, that person might not have been as lucky as I was). I will never take a day for granted. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Footprints in the Digital Age

The impact of Google in this current age of time is huge. Most people know what Google is and have used it before in their lives. I for one, use Google on a daily basis.  Since I have a smartphone, I am able to bring the Google App right up and start Googling away! I feel like I have learned many pointless fun facts just because I have the access to Google right at my fingertips!

The tools on Google seem endless! There's Gmail, which I use as my own personal E-mail account. I use g-mail everyday, all day as it is connected to my smartphone.  There's Blogger which I am currently on, writing this Blog! I have been using Blogger for the last 4 months in one of my Graduate online classes. There's obviously the search engine which I use daily to answer questions ranging from what recipe to make for dinner, to medical questions to help with homework! There's youtube which allows you to watch and record videos. There's Google+ which I am also very new to. One of my favorite Google Tools is Google Drive which allows access to Google Docs.  This tools allows for you to create group projects and presentations.  If you are editing the presentation, someone else in your group may be editing it as well. It is a great way to collaborate! There are many other Google tools that I have not explored yet. I have been told that Google Voice is also a great tool to use in classrooms; allowing students to be able to contact the teacher and leave a voice recording of an assignment! Great way to the students to orally present their projects without being in front of the class.

Using all these Google tools and other online tools helps build your own digital footprints.  I believe that having an online presence is critical for me because I someday want to be a teacher.  When an employer goes to Google my name, I'd like for all good things to appear. (Funny thing is, I actually Googled my name and absolutely nothing came up!)   I think it is important for students to also have a positive online presence.  I really enjoyed reading the article, "Footprints in the Digital Age," by Will Richardson.

He discusses his concerns of having children who may grow up to have a negative online presence.  He talks about the importance of teaching students how to be online in a positive way.  It's scary to think that most young children are teaching themselves how to use the internet but really they should have some parental or adult guidance.  He says, "It's a consequence of the new Web 2.0 world that these digital footprints—the online portfolios of who we are, what we do, and by association, what we know—are becoming increasingly woven into the fabric of almost every aspect of our lives."  That's not to say these new Web 2.0 tools are negative.  In fact, they bring extreme positive engagement and collaboration to the classrooms, its just a matter of teaching the students how to use them in a safe way.

Citation
Richardson, W. (2008). Footprints in the digital age. Educational Leadership, 66(3), 16-19. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov08/vol66/num03/Footprints-in-the-Digital-Age.aspx

I created my digital footprint using powerpoint and Present Me.  I created a powerpoint showing a few clips of my Professional Website, Prezi about me presentation, and some of my favorite websites and tools I learned about from my Literacy and Technology class.  Once I completed my powerpoint, I uploaded it onto Present Me. I was able to add music by recording a song I liked from the movie Frozen! Present Me was very simple to use. I plan to use it again for the final project!

The job hunt...

As the light at the end of the tunnel gets closer and closer I've finally decided to being the application process for OLAS and NYCteach! In the last few weeks I've contacted and rounded up letters of recommendation, started and completed the lengthy online application process, updated my resume and brought it to the career center to be checked over and created a cover letter.  I sat on the OLAS website and selected 13 teaching positions to apply for and 1 teaching assistant position...and that is only the beginning! Although there are teaching positions being posted, I do not want to get my hopes up that I will in fact get a phone call for an interview.  Teaching positions in NY are still very hard to come by.  I'm whiling to teach in the Mid-Hudson Valley, Lower Hudson Valley and even NYC! When I finish my Master's Degree in December, I am planning on applying to jobs in the Myrtle Beach, South Caroline area and also the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. I'd really love to get away from the New York cold and snow next winter! I am excited and very nervous for what the future holds for me!

Mobile Learning

It's amazing how much technology is increasing across the world.  The use of cell phones has taken over the world. I live in a household that does not even own a house phone or landline because no one ever used it to make calls or receive calls.  We decided to just stick with a cell phone! I think it is incredible the use of smartphones also.  Smartphones are no longer just used by "business men" keeping in touch with work 24/7.  Everyone around me seems to have a smartphone, either an IPhone or Droid.  The new use of iPhone and iPads has also been on an increase rise in the last few years. The rise in mobile devices allows for an increase in mobile learning!

The article titled, "Smartphones give you wings," by Cochrane and Bateman list the benefits of mobile learning in education.  It is easier for teachers and students to explore teaching and learning practices. It allows for learning to be done anywhere and at anytime. It also allows for student center learning and engagement through web 2.0 tools which allows them to collaborate through networking, podcasting, and social networking. 

I think mobile learning is a great new experience for all those reasons but at the same time I think there are a few cons.  When do people get the chance to be away from work and school if the opportunity to learn and work is always right at their finger tips? Receiving text messages and e-mails all day long even at midnight! It makes for a stressful life.  I have a smartphone and I receive e-mails from teachers on weekends and throughout all crazy hours of the night. Even during Spring Break I was receiving e-mails about class assignments.  It makes for an unrelaxing time off! 

I think there are many other positives to technology and mobile learning that go beyond just the collaborative part.  Iphones and iPads can be used by children to are not talkative.  Many disabilities allow for children the inability to speak and communicate.  Ipads have helped these students in tremendous ways.  There are applications that are available and the child can type in what it is they are trying to say and the application speaks it for them.  Other apps allow for students to just point to a picture they want to get their point a crossed.  Ipads make for a great communication device as well!

Family

I've grown up being the youngest and only girl. I always wanted a sister, I used to beg my mom when I was younger to please give me a sister. I was always left out. My brothers always wanted to play basketball, or football watch wrestling on TV. I had no one to play Barbies with or watch Disney movies with. I thought for a long time that I was missing out on something. As I started to get older, and I made friends with girls who did have sisters, I started to realize that there wasn't much that I was missing out on. I didn't have to share my clothes with anyone, I didn't get anyone's hamie downs. Being the youngest and only girl, I realized I was in fact...pretty lucky! I was Daddy's Little girl. I was spoiled with love! I had two older brothers that might have ignored me when we were young but now protect me with their life. I don't fight with anyone over, "Did you wear my shirt last night," or "Where is my make up?" I am truly thankful and blessed to have the family that I have! I wouldn't trade them for anything!

A life without a pet...

For most of my life, I have lived without a pet.  When I was born, my family had a golden retriever named Tara, who passed away shortly before my first birthday. Needless to say, I do not remember her at all. I have heard stories about her running away and my mom cry for days...my parents were actually thinking about getting a new dog when randomly, weeks after Tara ran away, she showed up covered in mud and extremely happy to be back home.  I have also heard stories and seen pictures of my other brothers riding Tara like she was a horse.  The more thing...I'm sure her bones were weak by the time she passed away.  Once Tara passed away, my parents decided not to get another dog. I guess they thought they had enough to take care of considering they had three kids under the age of four! I can honestly say I have never wanted a pet. I never wanted another dog.  I never knew what it was like to really grow up and live with a pet. I never realized the amazing things a dog can do for a family or the attachment people get to them until recently. My brothers girl friend came home four years ago with a brand new puppy named Daisy.  Although Daisy is not exactly part of my family and hasn't been around my whole life, she is truly special to all of us. I can't believe we ever lived life without her...and it's going to be one sad day when she goes...