Blog #5

Its hard to believe that the semester is winding down. This course is to end a little earlier then the others but there is so much work still needed to be completed before the semester ends at UA and at the Coppin. Tis' the season to be jolly...Turkey to be fried...Black Friday shopping to commence...lights to be hung and misletoe to bring forth kisses from loveones near...I love this time of year. So much hustle and bustle...this is the first Christmas with the new baby...Dr. Granny is getting into the holiday spirit...Toys..Toys...and Toys galore. Its been a while since I had a date with Geoffrey of Toys R US...The older grands like monies to shop a day or two after Xmas to maximize their buying potential from all the sales...smart grands...Hope to get tickets for the entire family to attend the Gaylord National's popular ICE! winter holiday attraction in our nation's capital. This is the first year without my husband and the kids/grands without their beloved Daddy/Poppop. Family will pull together to make this a special holiday season.

I have enjoyed learning about other emerging technologies beyond what I am currently using in the classroom. Have made some small changes in Blackboard...students love the avatar announcements...I do plan to do a Brown Bag presentation on the use of the wiki early January. What a positive experience doing group work from a "distance." I think my department would truly benefit from active usage of the wiki. My love for games in the classroom will produce an article and I hope to present at this year's Technology Conference at Coppin. Wishing you and your family a safe and bless holiday season!

Blog #4

My PC is feeling "slightly" overwhelmed at this point....His electrical cord sparked and needed to be replaced. His cousin, Internet Explorer (IE) is such a trickster and seems to have a will of his own. Just when assignments are due, he flashes his big error message smile...and wants to play "access to the internet denied."  For a type "A" personality like myself, it just sends me into orbit...so I disconnect him and reconnect him over and over to no avail...just when tears start to flow...he's back with no explanation...I am so happy that I don't scold him but actively start pecking away to meet my assignment deadline...our relationship sounds simply abusive...He was so good to me before I committed to school...could he be jealous that I chose  to spend time with UA and not hours with Facebook???...I am so.thankful for WIFI at the late night MCDonald's  that is just up the road. Its too bad I have to sit in my car to use it (drive-in only after 11 pm). NURS 531 writing assignment is in on-time and I got a 20 piece McNugget to celebrate with fries on the side. There are a lot of competing assignments at UA and even more at work. I use to pride myself on my exceptional organizational skills. I am starting to wonder about this! Did  I mention that my Dean really said that she wanted her faculty to pursue doctorates with no reduction in workload. Truth be told I am in overload. I have a new Associate Dean who sends emails out 24/7 and is concerned that no one responds, so she has doubled up on call meetings...ugh!!! I am missing in action at advisory board meetings, had to step down from community service, hours are null and void on parttime job, trying to keep up with pile high laundry and mounds of student papers needing grading. I just booked airfare to Alabama for November a minute ago...did I mention that carryout is a single ring tone away...but I always find time for evening Praise and Worship (Wednesday night) and Bible Study (Thursday night)...How do I spell relief???? P R A Y E R!!!! Now on to course talk...working on presentation...creativity...hmm??? I had a great group experience working with the wiki...need to re-read the presentation guidelines...fascinated by all the new emerging technologies...went to an emerging technologies fair at my own university...fell in love with Outlook 2010...the best part is having the ability to block faculty who use the network to promote their own agenda..so many new features. A lot of the technologies were covered in class. I am trying out Dropbox and I have develop an avatar for my Blackboard announcements for my Spring course...actually dropped her into my current psych course...got lots of positive feedback from students and I continue to read, read, read and read. This is the life of a "tired" but blessed grad student who is now sick with pneumonia (diagnosed on Friday after walking around with a deep hacking non-productive cough for 2 weeks.) So bedrest with the trusty laptop, lots of homemade chicken noodle soup, antibiotics, kleenex, cough syrup and a steroid inhaler in hand is the prescription for me. Funny thing is that I got a pneumonia vaccination this year...Go figure!

Blog #3

Well, its been a world wind of excitement these last two weeks...gaining flight time with Southwest. I attended the NLN Summit 2011 (in Orlando, Fla.)'s pre-conference, Emerging Technologies in Nursing Education presented by Jan Buchanan out of the University of Indiana School of Nursing on 9/21/11. He was my facilitator in the certificate program with the University of Indiana. It was great meeting face to face (f-2-f). He talked a lot about wikis and provide us this wonderful booklet of directions for using PB Works among other things. It came in handy with this week's assignment to post our critiques and recommendations of image capturing software in a wiki. I won a free meal and a trip to Epcot Center and took some time to get an eighty minute full body massage (yummy!). Technology, I find, can be a blessing or a curse depending on its ability to function properly. Example: I posted exam #3 in Blackboard  (from sunny Orlando) but click on the wrong date. On the day of the exam, the faculty proctor called me (in sunny Orlando) to say the exam didnot launch as scheduled because I had click the wrong date. The proctor attempted to change the date but Blackboard 9.1 would not make the change upon submission. Contacted our IT help desk but didnot receive symptom relief with one hour until the exam. Panic set in but I called Blackboard where a very skilled specialist was able to resolve the problem long enough for the exam to launch without any further problems. The specialist asked that I "capture" the problem and email it so he could see what I did to help me resolve the problem in the future. Glad I had used JING for my technology project. I did "capture" and send a video after quickly downloading JING. Will have to hunt for email response. 

Natalie Anderson-Hart and I flew into Birmingham early this past Friday, rented a car and proceeded to Tuscaloosa. It has not taken me long to adjust to the hour ride. I found 2 radio stations that entertained both Natalie and myself. We sang and laughed at the lyrics of the music the younger generation are listening to. We both admitted that Lil Wayne will never be played in an office elevator. The weather was pleasant, no rain or cold like in Baltimore. It was nice to take off jackets. Nat commented that I am adjusting to life once a month in Tuscaloosa. I knew the names of the desk clerks at the Ramada on all three shifts and they knew mine. Miss Ella fixes a "mean" waffle in the am and free for staying at the Ramada. Faxing and copying was free, too. Rooms were pretty large with microwave, refrigerator,  and free in room internet. Each clerk suggested places to visit, eat and told stories about UA football. After check in, Nat and I proceeded to UA School of Nursing to try out the graduate quiet room. We got a lot of reading done before our first class on Friday evening.

I really am enjoying the technology course. I learned so many new emerging technologies. It was almost overwhelming. Now the question is how to incorporate which to enhance classroom presentations. There appears to be an over-reliance of powerpoints but traditional students seem to like them. I have noticed that I am not using powerpoints as much but make them available electronically for those diehards who must have the powerpoint. Its true to form, one student will ask where are you on the powerpoint, I just smile and continue on.

Lots of dialogue in AEL 667 on racism in nursing on Saturday. The class discussion was fueled by an article by Evelyn L. Barbee who argued that it exists and gave her (3) points (denial, color-blindness, aversion) to why nursing as a profession fails to address this issue. The author, Lorde, contends that her anger toward racism is really a catalyst for change. I used Facebook to pose a question about thoughts on racism in nursing, was surprised how passionate FB colleagues and students who responded appeared to be. Next month's discussion on health care needs of the disabled, gays, lesbians, and transsexuals will be just as challenging. Two members of Cohort 5 have disabled children who they have fought long and hard for to have appropriate services. Their testimonies will give more credibility to the discussion. This class makes you think for "6-8" long hours.

Excited about shopping at Belik after class (no Macy's???). I bought two pairs of the cutest shoes. Both were on sale (yeah!)
In my quest for the sampling the best BBQ ribs and baked beans, still have not gotten to Dreamlands but there is always November. Any suggestions...Bon Appetit!!!

Blog #2

On Overload...

PC is getting a full workout with multiple assignments, readings and postings. Been in school since later part of August. I remember one thing about that weekend at orientation that stood out in my mind, that one thing was the need for balance in one's life. This summer has been a worldwind of excitement and sadness. The birth of my grandson, Aiden and the death of my husband of 34 years makes one take inventory of all that is important in one's life. I value my family life which includes daughters, Toni & Michelle, son, Eric and my other grands, Kayla & Marcell. Sunday family dinners at my home are notorious for down home cooking and family fun. Sometimes I just like to sit back and watch the activity of the kids and grands as they challenge each other at the Michael Jackson Wii Experience or playing Wii games. I have been in school or worked two jobs most of my children's & now all of my grandchildren's life. I seek the terminal degree as for self. I want the grands to see it can be done. Just call me Dr. Granny.
The need for balance is hard to achieve with competing activities happening. Obviously something has to give but the question is what?  Technological advances help to keep the family close when distance is the name of the game. For example: As a student, papers and other assignments require my immediate attention, Daughters are capturing family moments with mobile devices and uploading to facebook or sending it directly to my Droid X for a few moments of family connectiveness. Now to the heart of the matter, what happens when you feel overloadeded and unbalance? Do you give up and quit when quiting is not really an option. Just the ramblings of a tired assistant professor after a Monday filled with meetings, student concerns, more meetings and  an evening class with no time but tons of work to do in all three courses and for my employer, Coppin State University.

I was pleasantly surprised that grades were posted for assignment #1. Thanks to you, Dr. Wright for timely feedback from an anxious student. If nothing else, being an online student does sensitize you to that role after teaching online. Contacted group leader about the wiki group assignment. She was very receptive to a conference call  possibly on Wednesday with the group. Spent part of the evening reading everything I could about JING. TechSmith has its own Education Blog. I am learning all about the added features in anticipation for the implementation of my instructional plan later in the semester.  I just love that big old yellow sun icon especially the fact that I can upload a screenshot to facebook without much effort.
 No real concerns this week regarding the course. Just a little tired...

Blog #1

Power has been off for several days since Hurricane Irene attacked the city of Baltimore. Schools have been closed at the onset of a new school year by three days. Businesses including area supermarkets also closed. Communities across Baltimore are asking when will the lights come on. It’s interesting that the crime rate did not go up. The news is full of stories of fallen trees that damaged cars and houses. McDonalds and other restaurants that manage to have power are making monies off of those without power. I am lucky that my power has been restored in time for tonight's first blog entry. My goal tonight is to implement my first posting, invite Dr. Wright to comment and reflect on experiences within course and my own experience with technology.

I am familiar with the concept of blogging as a tool for reflecting journaling. As a psychiatric-mental health nurse, I have used reflective journaling as part of a psychiatric consumer’s treatment plan to assist those we affectionately termed, “the worried well.” Basically, the journaling help the consumer to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. This is my first attempt at blogging.

I would like to begin by saying that I was so excited about being accepted into this unique doctoral program so far from Baltimore, Maryland. As I scanned the description of this particular course, I was pleasantly surprised that it would reignite my passion in nursing education, using technology in the delivery of course content. As expected, I just knew that we (students) would be involved in some form of group work to demonstrate mastery of course objectives. I must admit that I was equally surprised by the number of my cohorts who did not have a wealth of exposures to technology in the classroom beyond mobile devices, powerpoints and social networking.

A burning question for me is, “Do we really need to blog at all?” Especially with so many persons using Facebook and Twitter to post self-reflections to a comment window multiple times a day.  Do these people really have a life. Real time communication between individuals has been replaced with mobile devices use to communicate with a faceless audience. I tend to read and scroll down my News Feed.

I have been teaching for 15 years. The introduction of technology to Coppin State University faculty occurred late 2004 and early 2005 with the placement of computers in faculty offices and the removal of typewriters. Faculty mini-grants were offered to encourage use of technology in the classroom. 20 of my brave colleagues (including me) stepped up to the plate by writing proposals on how we would integrate technology into our specialty areas. I chose to develop and  incorporate PowerPoints into a Community Health Nursing Course using the smart classroom console. We have come a long way. With emerging technology over the years, it’s so hard to keep up with what is the latest technology for classroom usage.

From the course overview, it appears that I will be exposed to current technologies. It was interesting to me that wikis were introduced as a potential tool to assist in group work. I thought to myself, this will be beneficial as we moved through the program to facilitate group projects. I have used wikis on a limited basis because most of my colleagues are unfamiliar with it. During the face to face class, group members were digesting all that they heard or seen. My group organized themselves really well, exchanging phone numbers, and enrolling in PBworks. The biggest task was to read over instructions and divide the work. My goal is to log into PBworks to read about all of its functions in anticipation for more group work.

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