Thing 1B

How have Web 2.0 tools changed my professional practice???
I just don't remember how I got along before some of my favorite Web 2.0 tools! Some I use with regularity are Diigo (for social and web-based bookmarking), Doodle (for scheduling meetings with a group) and Wikispaces (for collaborating on and storing projects). These tools and others like them have definitely changed my professional practice by streamlining my work and keeping me much more organized and efficient! That is why I'm taking this course called 23 Things (or 230 Things as I've been told by some who've taken it previously). My goal is to learn about MORE tools that will help me in my job and in my life.

How do I utilize these tools to engage stakeholders???
Web 2.0 tools allow you to "engage" and "collaborate" without actually having to meet face to face all the time. In my job, I work with numerous administrators and teachers in many different school and office locations on a multitude of different projects. While nothing can replace face to face collaboration, often times some of the follow-up work is done through the use of some of these tools rather than scheduling follow-up meetings. People can work on the project on their own time instead of having to be in attendance at a set time. Also, in these tight economic times, the gas savings of not having to travel to and from meetings is a real blessing!

Thing 1A

On an adventure in learning...
Hi! I'm Jan. I'm new at this blogging stuff. Read 'em before, but never had my own space to call home so to say. I'm looking forward to my adventure in learning 23 things (or more)! I selected my profile picture because I was on an "adventure/hike" with my dog, Whoopi, when the picture was taken this past summer on a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Appropriate, don't you think???

Now for a little about me...
I'm an educator in the Barrow County School district in Winder, GA. I have been an educator for 24 years. WOW! That's a long time. I love what I do! I currently am the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, but have past experience as a teacher (all over K-5th) and as a principal.

Why the adventure???
I have chosen to take this course because it is an adventure. I want to be up on the latest and greatest of what's out there with technology and web 2.0, because tomorrow, I will be behind again. We all know that it doesn't take long to get left in the dust with technology tools and information changing so fast! My goal is to have "NO JAN LEFT BEHIND" if you know what I mean. I'm expecting to open a whole new world (with a little help from my POW and friends).