The big question

A Few of My Favorite Things


Big Question: How can I arrange and archive all the great ideas I hear (podcasts), read (articles, books, blogs) and watch (YouTube), along with my thoughts and insights I personally have regarding them, for me to remember? 

So many times I feel a "Wow, that was awesome," feeling about a particularly good topic ... and then life intervenes and those thoughts are gone. I considered a paper journal, organizing them in OneNote, or other methods. A blog I've resisted for about six months, because very truly I've tried before and failed to consistently blog. My blogs in the past have always been for me to go back to and reflect on, though I'm not against others reading if they get anything out of it! It was that and rereading a blog I started when my oldest was a toddler that finally got me committed to blogging. That old blog wasn't consistent, but the memories documented there I cherish, and there were many, many I didn't remember until I re-read them. 

Sooo.... what to name it? 

For me, a lot of the podcasts I listen to are PD in the strict sense, related to education. But I also listen to parenting podcasts, general interest, health, news, etc. Those are all "PD" in a way as they add to my store of knowledge, understanding and empathy. They are my PD for life in general. Thus, my blog is PD for life. 

My work knowledge and interests influence the rest of my time, and my hobbies, family and interests outside my work do influence my work choices. They are not able to be separated, so this blog I plan to be just what I'm finding meaningful right now and that I want to remember.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PD calendar - wishlist

 I was just pondering today I wish there was a mega-database of PD that was filterable by type of PD in calendar format.  Is there one?  Anyone know?  I see so many trainings and interesting webinars and things after they happened.  How fun would it be to plan out your year with a quarterly or monthly PD related to your discipline or special interest? 
Read more

Math CSETs are the antithesis of good mathematics

I think many math teachers and prospective math teachers cringe at the thought of the required three math CSETs now required to earn a single subject math credential in California.  They are arduous for sure.  The concept seems reasonable - make sure that our math instructors are completely proficient in the subject they teach.  The implementation, however, leaves a lot to be desired.  Let's break that down: The obvious - Pearson makes money every time you fail and have to retake it.  That's just a fact of life there.  Their goal then might not be to make the test realistic to what you need to know.  Enough said. More deeply though, we now know that good mathematics is not about speed and memorization.  You can choose your favorite researcher to get the news on this, but a common reference is Jo Boaler's work.  We now understand that developing excellent math thinking involves verbal/communication skills, creative thinking, slow and deep thinking about a problem, seeing mul
Read more