Thing 23: Final reflection

At some point in this process, there was a reference to 'drinking from a fire hose' as a metaphor for trying to consume a lot of material at a very high rate.

What does it all mean? How has your thinking changed between Thing 1 and Thing 23? Has this program changed how you view the Internet or how view education in the digital world? What plans have you made for using these tools in and out of the classroom? How will you continue to learn about Web 2.0 tools. What are your big "take aways" from this experience?

It feels a little paradoxical, but I feel as though I'm getting to the point where I might know some things about working online that I could actually lead my students into. Perhaps it's hubris to think I'm ahead of some of them, but I feel I've been playing catch-up when it comes to technology. Don't get me wrong, I am and have been an early adopter when it comes to technology, but for many years I have considered some of these resources arcane gizmos that had little value in the real world.

Every time I visit Home Depot, I'm reminded of the different ways I could solve problems using their tools and supplies. Every home owner has a long scroll of projects, but the ability to connect the needs with the tools and supplies grows with experience. I've read and I've talked to people and I've experimented with projects, but there's no substitute for the wisdom that comes with time and practice.

When it comes to Web2.0 I feel as though I'm standing in a beautiful house in a great neighborhood and looking around at the bits of wear and tear that are showing around every corner. I know it needs attention, and I believe I could do it, but I'm not exactly sure where to start, which aisle or which tool. Fortunately, those guys with the orange aprons are pretty handy.

I've got lists of projects. I've learned about tools and techniques. I've walked through other homes to see how they did things, and I've collected all the how-to pamphlets I could carry. I feel like I'm ready to tackle the projects, but I that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of work to be done, that I don't feel a bit overwhelmed, and that I'm ready to start reinventing my living space.

Yes, yes. So many tools. So many projects. So many good ideas. So little time and entropy means that there's no such thing as standing still.

However I describe it, there's no doubt that everything I learn gives me more confidence and practical ideas for the classroom. I have plans to work on a Moodle website to support my LA I class and I'm sure that it will include many of the ideas I've learned here. It's a great confluence of ideas and now I need to get paddling!