Twitter-pated?!

I set up a Twitter account months ago. It seemed pretty easy-the hardest part was coming up with a user name. After several hours and tries, I became coucou76 (coucou (pronounced coocoo) is like saying "Hey there!" in French). After that, I waited for something to happen. Wouldn't anyone find me? It was so much easier on Facebook for people to find me! And once in a while, a few old friends did.

And then for my Literacy class, we were talking about Twitter and trying to understand what the big deal was. We decided it was great if you want to follow celebrities, but otherwise...eh, I'll pass.

But then I there was a post on our message board from another person in my class saying that she finally figured out what the big deal was about Twitter-that it was great for businesses, particularly the furniture store she worked in.

Bring up Google, type in "How to do business with Twitter." I found a few mini-tutorials that were really informative. I guess I hadn't really taken the time to figure out just how Twitter worked in terms of connecting with other people-it wasn't all about reading what celebrities are doing after all. However, I still wasn't convinced.

So then I decided to log onto my Twitter account and mess around with it some more since in the video, it is described more as a shorter blog platform and that you can easily find people with similar interests. I found a few people with similar interests as mine. That was neat, but still didn't get me.

...then, I remembered that while I was in Chicago last weekend, I went to a restaurant off Michigan Ave. and was a little surprised to see a sign right out front saying that it was on Twitter. Who cares what a restaurant is doing?

Well, I not only looked up that restaurant, but also some of my other favorite businesses, and now I am following Ben and Jerry's Mint, Costco and LOST for starters. I didn't see the hype for following people so much (though that could change), but following businesses, radio stations, favorite TV shows, especially those that provide insider info and updates, etc. is a little too amusing for me. I already spend too much time on here!

Literacy Quiz for Educators

I just sent out an email to educators, asking them to answer a short quiz on literacy and technology. I will post the results early next week, but in the meantime, feel free to look it over and answer the questions yourself:

1.When you hear the word “literacy,” do you:
a. associate the definition with being able to read and write text.
b. associate the definition with being able to understand, interpret and communicate with technology i.e. the internet, Smart Boards, IM, etc.
c. both

Answer:

2.On a scale of 1-10, 1 being not important and 10 being very important, how important is educating students on using technology e.g. web searches, text messaging, posting home movies online, etc.?

Answer:

3a. What forms of technology do you have in your classroom? b. Do you think they make a significant contribution to student's education? c. Why or why not (you can be brief)?

Answer:

Last Weekend

Last weekend I went to Chicago with some friends for a little girl's getaway. It was awesome! There were 14 of us and we stayed right on Michigan Avenue across from the Water Tower and walked everywhere we went.
We went shopping (of course), went out to dinner and went out dancing together after. Then we woke up the next morning, I went for a swim in the huge hotel bathtub, and then packed up and left.
The thing is, Jordan watched the kids while I was gone, and when I returned, the house was fairly clean, and he told me the clean clothes were folded upstairs, there was another load in the dryer and the kids helped him clean their rooms?!
I was shocked. I told him that I seriously didn't know that he knew how to do laundry, and all the rest of extras were surprises too! He pulled out some hidden skills.

How to Send a Fax

My step-father is 80 years old, and when it comes to technology, there really is no room for a lot of comprehension. I know it isn't just him either; usually people over the age of 50 or so seem to be the same way.

One time that sticks out in my mind is when I walked into their office and saw a Post-It on the fax machine they had just purchased. Looking a little closer, I saw this written on it:

1. Turn fax machine on
2. Wait a minute
3. Load paper
4. Push Send Fax button

I started laughing so hard at the thought of watching my step-dad read step 1, turn the machine on, read step 2 and then watch the clock for 1 minute to be up before loading the paper!

Ever since then, that has been a running joke for us, especially steps 1 and 2. Like when we turn on the TV, we'll ask, "What are the steps to watching this thing?" And we'll say, "Step 1: Turn TV on. Step 2: Wait a minute," and then we'll count for 60 seconds and laugh.

This may not be so funny to my poor step-dad, but it does go to show the point that technology is moving so fast that it is difficult for some to catch up.

Google Docs

Have you ever heard of Google Docs? I didn't until a few weeks ago when we had to come up with a list of literacies for my class. I searched the term "Google Docs" and found the site where you can create a list of just about anything and invite others to help you modify it if you want to. So it is like a closed wiki.

So I was wondering what else I could use this for in my daily life...maybe if I was planning something with others and needed a list of things needed or that needed to be done? Or could email or social networking sites do the same-like Facebook?

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Being Literate With Different Technologies haha

1.After I filmed the short video in my gym class on different literacies, one of the women in there (who is a mom herself) was complaining about how the younger generation doesn't know how to spell or write anymore. They only know text messaging and/or IM language.

I responded by saying that this is one of the reasons why we are trying to create awareness to new literacies as educators-that we need to help students realize the difference between the language used for IM, for texting, for a formal letter, etc. Otherwise, they usually assume it is all the same, and, though they should know the difference anyway, if they were applying for a job, they need to know these different literacies.

Here is a perfect example of what I am talking about, though Justin would probably kill me if he knew I was posting this on here. Normally, I wouldn't care about grammar, punctuation, etc. It's just that reading this helped me realize just how real this issue is. My brother-in-law, Justin, is 21 and sent this email from Texas:

“Hey Y'all
It is good to hear everything is going good in Utah. Im glad the weather is
better for you. It is now starting to get really hot here. The last couple of
weeks its been perfect but the last couple days its been in the 90's and
the 90's here feels like the 100's there haha...”

Overall, he did a good job of writing, but the little details, like not adding the comma after the capitalized greeting and the “Im” are little mistakes that I am sure he just got lazy with, but the big one is how he throws in the “haha.” And the thing is, he does this all the way through his emails, every time. Again, granted it is a very informal letter, but he seems to think that this language is appropriate to splash around when sending out a mass, weekly email.

So again, the point is, I am sure they are not addressing in schools proper email, text, letter, etc. language in public schools, but until they do, kids may not be aware of the differences between these genres.

The Importance of Second Life in Real Life

I was researching some links to show how Second Life is significant for everyone, especially those who are going to see technology come around full swing in the near future. Interesting stuff. Very interesting stuff.

Here are a few links to what I have found so far:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/business/second-life-business-3846.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q

...and for educators:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMGR9q43dag

Let me know what you think!

Second Life, First Impressions

I have just created my new character in Second Life. Her name is Carrington Bluxome, and even though she still looks a little strange, I am still working on the details of her features. One feature I was very glad to finally figure out was how to get a skirt on her. For a while there, I was walking around in a shirt and black panties. Needless to say, I got a few comments on that! So, now I am fully clothed and trying to get done with the orientation and into the "real world."

I thought it was really strange seeing advertisements for companies we know here, like 1-800-FLOWERS. It makes sense, but I guess I didn't expect "real" companies to advertise in a digital world. Also, another thing that struck me was how many people from all over the world are on there. Someone asked me where I was from and when I said Minnesota, he didn't understand. It was because he was from Brazil and wasn't familiar with our states. I guess my assumptions were that New Life was made up of people solely from North America, but I need to think bigger.

I can see the appeal Second Life has for people. Everything you are afraid of and the limitations you have in real life don't exist. You can fly. You can look however you want to. There is an entirely new set of social rules, though they are similar to the ones we have. For example, it doesn't matter if you make a faux pas, you can just go up and talk to anyone you want and not have to worry so much about what they think. And so far, I have accidentally bumped into a lot of people while trying to learn how to walk and no one seems to mind too much.

Take My Quiz!

Here is the quiz I gave the women in the video on technology:

1.Do you know what a blog is?
2.Do you have a blog?
3.Do you know what a wiki is?
4.Do you know what a Ning is?
5.Do you know what text messaging/Instant Messaging is?
6.Do you know what a podcast is?

It helped me put into perspective just how much I do/don't know about technology and how to use it.

One observation that one of my classmates made was that it seemed as though people were most aware of those technology/literacy skills that were accessible to portable devices like podcasts, IMing, etc. and that this was where the future lies. It would make sense on why there is a push to get people to know how these literacies for portable devices-if people know how to use them, they will be more likely to buy them.

Technology and Literacy Awareness: Gym Class

For my literacy class, I wanted to create and post a video on technology and literacy awareness, and using one of the classes I teach at the gym was a pretty good and accessible way to get feedback from everyday people.

I wasn't too surprised at the responses, but I was a little surprised that no one had a blog. On top of that, to be honest, I probably would have only raised my hand on the first question if I hadn't taken this class!
(...and sorry it is so shaky!)

Me in the Dinosaur Era

As I stated earlier, I have been taking a class entitled "The Nature of Literacy in a Digital World." For the first week, I went about trying to figure out what the title of the course meant. This is because, up until that point, although I considered myself fairly internet/techno savvy, the first day into the course, I realized that I really had no idea. I felt like a dinosaur in a world of electronics.

Then week two started and by this time, I had the title figured out. Whew! Now, on to the next challenge: How to define "literacy." How would you define it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cARb0dN6J5g&feature=related

One thing I noticed about this short video is that she kept mentioning reading, implying that literacy is about understanding text, alphabetic letters, writing, etc.

At one point, that was how I defined literacy too. But if you found this post, you know that there is much more to it than that...

The Mommy Club

= Ticket to the Mommy Club



I was thinking back to when I had a huge, pregnant belly. For me, a pregnant belly is your ticket into the Mommy Club. This is an exclusive club because no one tells you that it exists until your belly is large enough to say, “I'm in!” Before this, you go along quietly on your way about your business. And then, once people see your “ticket,” they see this as a sign to talk to you. And they do. They all do.
It usually goes like this: You are an inconspicuous woman going about your business-say you're checking out at the grocery store. Then, you hear someone (usually a woman, and one older than you) come up to you and ask questions, which, more than likely, will be one (or all) (or all repeated over and over again in no particular order) of the following:
1.When are you due?
2.Is this your first?
3.How far along as you?
And then they smile sweetly and are so excited for you. And they should be. After all, it is a miracle you have in the works. But after having my first and feeling let down by all the smiles and excitement other women had for me, I wondered why they were so excited to welcome me into the Mommy Club, why they had so much hope for me in their eyes.
It wasn't until recently that I figured out why this was. I came across a woman at the grocery store who was obviously pregnant and we started chatting. I was excited for her, but was trying to figure out why I was just so excited in light of everything I was thinking about my experiences of being newly pregnant. And I figured it out.
It was because I wanted so much to be able to go through it all over again and do it a little differently. I wanted to be able to take the knowledge and experience I have now and take it back when it was just me and my first newborn baby. I wanted to erase all the frustration, confusion and exhaustion I experienced. But of course I can't. All I can do is talk to pregnant women I run into at the grocery store, ask them if this is their first, and express how excited I am for them...because I truly am.

I teach fitness classes at the gym down the street. The other day, one of my “regulars” who hadn't come in a while showed up again, and after class, she told me she couldn't make it because she was pregnant. Well, I put some gas in that motormouth of mine and cranked away at it until it got started...and didn't stop for sometime.
Wait a minute! Since when did I become the know-it-all when it comes to pregnancy and child rearing? When did I become all those women who would tell me how it was going to be, and I would smile politely and tell them I appreciated the advice?
The answer is...I don't know. I don't know when this happened! But I guess two kids later I am now the expert, according to the Shannon College of Maternal Expertise.
So, back to me blabbing on to the lady at the gym. She did seem to appreciate my advice. I told her what I wish someone would have told me when I was pregnant. After all, EVERY woman had something to say about my pregnancy, but not one told me how it was really going to be.
No one told me that I would feel like a prisoner in my own home. Before my baby, it was, in fact, all about me. I went where I wanted when I wanted, so what do you mean I can't go out? You need to take a what? A nap? Geez. Stuck at home for another two hours. And when I finally do get out and wrestle the little bundle of chub (which might as well be a water balloon) into that baby carrier that takes an hour to strap on, he decides he doesn't want to be in it, and the stubborn little thing won't let me convince him otherwise-not with a bottle, binky, swaying back and forth and back and forth. Cries turn to screams. Forget it. You win. We're going home.
Of course, there are those exceptions to the rule-those new moms who express how “wonderful” life is as a new mom and how happy they are. In my opinion, one reason for this is that they are those who have been moms at heart their entire lives. They always dreamed of the day they would have a baby, they live for others' needs, etc. But for 27 years, I always had my own thing going and didn't know how to make room for anyone else.
So after our long, what turned out to be a conversation only because I finally backed off and allowed her to talk too, we said goodbye only to have another woman approach her and congratulate her on her pregnancy. Deceiver! Tell her what she really needs to know for her own survival! It starts at all smiles and giggles for weeks and then in a matter of a day or so turns into confusion, frustration and finding your place in our big world all over again. And then back to smiles and giggles, then tearing out your hair, the cycle goes on and on.
I liked what Amy Poehler said in an interview I saw of her the other night on TV-that while you're pregnant, everyone is your friend. People hold the door for you, they let you cut in line. And then after you have the baby, everyone is your enemy. No one wants you to sit by them, no one wants you to come over to their house (unless your kids are crazier than yours), no one wants to be near you in a line, etc.
However, my cute pregnant friend seems to be prepared for all this. She said she has talked to many of her friends of hers who have kids and they did warn her about some of the tough things about being a new mom. Finally, some allies! Well, I'll give her an “A” in my grade book.

Palazzo Pants

I was digging through my closet the other day and found an old pair of pants I haven't worn in over a year. The thing is, I purposefully haven't worn them in a year.

It dates back to one of the last times I subbed a high school French class. Going through my closet that morning, I wanted to pick out an outfit that was modest, yet stylish...Hmmm. A long, green, clean cut t-shirt with a bone colored necklace and some long, black palazzo pants, made out of a comfy, stretchy material. Yes, very stylish.

So I go to the class and am so excited to talk about French, tell the students there about how I lived there for over a year and...
"So...is that why you dress...like that?! Because you lived there?"
Wait. How am I supposed to take this? Good? Bad? I look down at what I am wearing and think about that morning. Stylish. Stylish?
I keep my eyes lowered, not knowing what to say. "Yeah," is all I can muster. Ok, change the topic.

So after the bell rings, all I can think about is, since when did I become so uncool? Is that even how you would term it? Did she mean that my outfit looked weird? No, I think it is worse than that. And that's when a formula for disaster pops into my head: Shannon+palazzo pants+not knowing what the latest term for "cool" is=old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mowXQb3_Mcw&feature=related

The funny thing is, I don't feel old. It's all relative, right? But any way you look at it, you can never be too careful. And that brings me to my next formula: Shannon avoiding feeling old+palazzo pants=palazzo pants into the trash. After more than a year, I have to say that feels much better.

I Am a Superstar.

I am a superstar. I have this incredible voice that just comes out of my mouth when I sing. The crowds cheer. Fans sing along with me and know every word to their favorite songs. Lights are shining all around me. I have a wild, sparkly outfit on. Here comes my big note to belt out, raise my head up and hold the mic up in the air! I take a deep breath in!
“Mom! Don't sing!” I turn the music down in the car. I thought I had it loud enough so no one could hear my voice, but apparently I was wrong.
“Mommy can't sing?” I ask my two smallest fans, or at least, I thought they were fans.
“No!”
A rude awakening. A mom can still dream though, right? Sometimes I really think that if I were young enough, I could try out for American Idol, at least just for fun. But, as I have been reminded, I shouldn't waste my time.
Then again, I always knew I wasn't the best singer. I can hit the notes, but I just wasn't born with a great singing voice. Until I had kids, I never sang in front of anyone. But after they were born, I thought I would finally have an audience who didn't know any better than to like my voice. They would just appreciate the songs I would sing to them before bed.
And I was right on that one. Before bed, I always sing them a song. “Silent Night,” “Rockabye,” and “The Snowman Song” are some of their favorites. And for a few moments, they actually sit very still and just listen and smile. Wow! Someone likes my singing! I am a superstar.

I swear this is what I sound like in my head:


...yet, this is close to what I sound like in reality:

I am about to turn in my second paper for my Literacy class-I'll be glad when that is done!

Today was really busy! I am taking part in a gum study where I have to chew different gums for about two hours and fill out a form telling what I think. I can't believe I get paid to do it!

Here is a picture of my kids, Luke and Ava. I can never count on Luke to give a normal smile;)