Bridge to the Compelling World

When I started this class I was excited about the idea of the class but I had no idea what I was in for back in January. It all started with watching everyone’s introduction videos and seeing where everybody lived. I remember I didn’t want to make one. I am a “mature” student and not as beautiful as I was in my early years. I finally asked my daughter to tape me with her camera. My teenagers laughed at me and I was anxious. I thought well I have that done. At least I have my teenagers to assist me with technology and if I can manage to keep myself out of all future work I will survive.

Then came the photography unit and I took pictures of some of my favorite things, my Mom’s dolls and the trees in my backyard. I was thrilled with how the pictures turned out. I tried different angles and lighting and I was proud of my work. There were so many unique photos posted by the class. I had the chance to explore photography and in a way that I really appreciated. I thought hard about the architecture available where I live and enjoyed capturing them in photos as well and sharing them with the class even though it wasn’t the Casa Batillo in Spain or the sleeping compartments in Japan.

Then came the Brother/Sister relationship project with all the heart-warming pictures of my son and daughter. My daughter helped me find the music and pick the pictures. I enjoyed thinking about their relationship and capturing it with the video. That was my first experience of having my video removed from Face Book because of the music. The positive feedback from the instructors and the other students contributed to my confidence that I could be successful in the class.

Next was comparing the restaurants and really looking at how the atmosphere affects an experience. I shared one meal with my daughter and the other with my son. It was nice to get away from studying for a break. Then came, “The Rose” video where I had the chance to make a music video. I thought the class would go wild with this assignment but they were very serious and conservative with their approach. I got a chance to capture my son with our special song and I bought myself a dozen roses. The trip to the Dunes and the hot tub in the hotel room to bribe my son and I threw in $20. What a beautiful day it was a compelling experience to run the dunes. The final project of the piano video; was a heart-warming chance to video my son with his wonderful piano teacher. This was a special time and by then Marcus did the video without complaining at all. I have definitely enjoyed the adventures with my son and he has been a real trooper!

All of the students in this class have contributed so much to the experience. All during the semester, I couldn’t wait to see how each assignment was interpreted. It was interesting how creative all the students were with each project. I feel like I know the students in this class better than any other on-line class I have taken and maybe any college class, but I haven’t met any of them. I have seen Brenda’s grandfather make syrup; I know about Caroline’s yoga class and Crystal has some great dogs. Ashley’s cat enjoyed watching the snow fall in North Carolina. Hamayun has an adorable daughter Zora who he treasures. I have seen Brooke make pottery. I have been to many of their classrooms and seen their students from around the country. I have seen photos from the many places they have traveled around the world. I have heard many of their favorite songs. I am going to miss them all. The class I never met.

This experience was a chance to examine my life, my environment and my creativity. I am happy with what I found. I am satisfied with the work I created. The class answered an important question for me. How do I make my classroom a more compelling place for the students of today?

I am glad I was in the first video because I looked at it today and I am a different and more confident person now. I have evolved into a more technology savvy person. I am a person who looks at the sunset longer. I am a person that experiences music more thoroughly. I am a person who appreciates her family more. I am a teacher who can’t wait to apply what I have learned in the classroom. I am a person who will never forget this class and who is very grateful for the opportunities it has given me. This has felt like more than a class; this has felt like an adventure. I will miss this experience and I don’t want it to end but it must be time. It must be time to cross that bridge and venture out on my own to explore the world.

A Lesson Re-Fashioned by Nature

Teaching is sharing. Sharing knowledge, sharing experience and sharing exhilaration. Anytime we can take a lesson and find a way to bring the students into our experience, our wonder, or fascination, then we have accomplished our task.
When I started this assignment for fashion week I thought about a picture in the fourth grade text book that shows a small patch of a sand dune. It felt like injustice. How unfair to the students. That they might never see the magnificence of these awe inspiring sand dunes created by nature. What kind of a teacher would I be if I let that stand as their image of this absolutely breath taking eye candy?
When I was a teenager I made a promise to myself that I would make every effort to make a visit to Lake Michigan at least once a year because I love this area of the world so much and I live so close that there is no excuse for not enjoying it at least once a year. As teacher, we owe it to our students to find ways to reach deep into our imaginations and find ways to bring the world into the classroom.