First Post 9/9/12

Greetings Classmates,

Welcome to my first blog post for HBSE 4005. I am looking forward to learning more about technology that can help me and my students in and out of the classroom. Currently, I am teaching full time in a 4th grade 12:1:1, self-contained classroom in the Bronx.
I taught one year previously in Brooklyn, also a 12:1:1, students with mild to moderate disabilities.

I am also in the Peace Corps Fellows Program here at TC, so I'm thrown into the classroom rather early, with a transitional certification. I'm working on my graduate degree in Special Education, ID/Autism for grades 1-6. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and attended Kent State University for my undergraduate degree. I received a BFA in Visual Communication Design and worked professionally for 3 years as a graphic designer and illustrator before serving in the United States Peace Corps as a health education volunteer in rural Tanzania. The Peace Corps experience changed my outlook on my future career and personal endeavors, and thus, here I am at TC and teaching in the Bronx. I would never have predicted I would be doing this back in undergrad. 

I am looking forward to melding my experience with visual communication, technology, and education in this course. Much of my projects in undergrad revolved around problem solving, as that is the bare bones of visual communication. Good design is all about problem solving and clarity, not just aesthetics. 

Technology has been a useful tool to aid in social, educational, and professional aspects of my life. From using design software to communicating with family, friends, and networking with professionals via social media, technology has been a useful tool when needed. I am not the most tech-savvy person, but stay abreast of new and useful technology in our ever-evolving social world. I use it for the benefit it can provide, but also believe very strongly in "tuning out" whenever possible and using hands-on methods and experiences. I don't pick up the latest thing right away, but rather keep in tune with how useful a program, piece of technology, or media tool may be and then assess whether or not it will benefit my lifestyle. I learn through experience and appreciate a user-friendly, clear, uncluttered interface. I believe this essential for learning through technology, and utilizing it well.

Upon reading Martinez' article on Problem solving, I harkoned back to my experience in visual communication design. It was critical to think about design as a means of communication and problem solving, not simply to make things aesthetically pleasing. Design has a function. It can b aesthetically pleasing simply because of it's balance and fluidity. I feel strongly that learning environments, learning tools, and technology should constantly reflect the benefits of change through problem solving. It is in this way that learning can be streamlined.
I also agree that the learning process is most beneficial when the learner is allowed a certain degree of autonomy to learn through experience, trial and error, and creativity. Problem solving is a method of higher order thinking that cannot be taught in a singular method or manner, but rather allows the learner to make connections to previously generated knowledge and how to apply that knowledge and skill in a practical manner. Problem solving is what gets a learner through life itself, so as many opportunities the learner is allowed to problem solve, the more practice she has in that method of thinking. These lessons are invaluable to the way a learner approaches situations for the entirety of her life.