Reflections on the Week

Here are some reflections on the past week -- some coherent, and some perhaps not!

• I was reminded again that illness may be one experience which God uses to slow us down and force us to focus our attention on Him once again. I can't say that I'm thankful for illness, but I can be thankful for the result.
• I talk a lot with my students about critical thinking and analyzing sources. How am I supposed to do that with the financial mess of our country right now? Who is speaking the truth? Who is spouting hyperbole? How do we know who and what to believe? I'm struggling to apply analysis skills to this complicated situation. I can read so many articles about the bailout bill that I come out more confused than ever whether this is the right course for our country. At some point analysis must give way to prayer.
• I need to make sure that Twitter works for me in opening doors to new ideas and resources, and that I don't work for Twitter.
• I'm learning that my specialty is teacher training and building strategies to improve student achievement. I have so much to learn about hardware and network issues.
• I'm thankful for my daughter's Lutheran High School. What a blessing that school is to many!
• I'm now a fantasy baseball champion! What a season it has been in cheering for other players from other teams!
• Online learners want to feel connected with a teacher, even if they never meet that person. That is why rapid and appropriate communication is essential within the online environment.
• I need to constantly grow in my ability to effectively teach Internet search strategies.