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!!!