Clayton Paul Willms

a) to embrace my INTJ personality. This was such a great way to start a reflective practice in my own world view. It gave me a starting point to analyze how I think, react, and learn (C2),

b) that areas I didn't even choose to focus on (accessing and using online & community forums, setting up and moderating video conferences, knowledge and use of technology in assessment) improved from my original assessment.

Working in TLiTE over the past year has helped me to further integrate it's use in my classroom. It has helped me to learn 'smoother' ways to integrate certain programs and hardware in my program. I've also come to a better understanding of how not to use technology just for the sake of technology. I realized my tendancy to teach the use of programs and hardward because they are cool...not neccessarily useful in covering the required curriculum.

I've also started to teach my colleagues how to solve many of the computer problems they encounter. A 'teach a man to fish' philosophy in action (A2). I've seen many changes in my colleagues in that they are confident in trying solutions, instead of calling me immediately.

I've been challenged over the past year to complete a journal as a form of reflection. It is a habit that my non-reflective self continues to fight against. I recognize that this will continue to be one of my challenges over the next year (E2). One of the things that I thought would be a big challenge in this summer institute was research. I was not looking forward to searching through journal articles and texts for information regarding my field study. I found, though, that I really enjoyed this aspect and look forward to continuing it's practice. The lesson by Colleen Alstad was very helpful in removing the anxiety of 'the big search!

The planets aligned for me on this assignment in the following way. Back in April, I took part in an offer called MacHeist. Macheist is made up of a group of guys who have made it their business to get to know independend developers. Once or twice per year, they put together a bundle of software (ususally 10 or so programs) and sell it for insanely low prices. Sometimes as low as $39.99. This was the third time that I've paid for this service and, as always, it was well worth it.

Because April was a very busy time in my life, I glanced at most of the programs and then put them away for intstall and investigation later.

Then along came the summer challenges. I set to work, installing and exploring the package of programs. Below is what I learned (A1).

Program synopsis - This program does not work alone. It uses the information in iCal (an intuitive calendar program that comes with your mac) to create a one click viewing icon that sits in your toolbar. In order to enter information, you still have to open iCal but to view everything for that day, week, or month you just have to click the MenuCal button in the toolbar and it will slide down into the screen.

Why I care - I avoided iCal in the past because I just didn't think it would be useful. I don't have a blackberry or iPhone to synch it up with and I have a calendar on my fridge at home. But, being the frugal person I am, I insist on trying out all the programs that come with the Macheist bundle. This forced me to look into iCal and, consequently, I love it! It really does help to keep me organized. I can synch it up with my iPod Nano. I can send out parts of my calendar that need to be synched with family or friends. And let's face it. My computer is always with me anyway.

Program synopsis - Leap is a version of mac's finder that actually helps you find things. The human brain doesn't store locations of files in even remotely the same way as a computer does, even one so great as a Mac. Leap uses clues about files that you give it to search your hard drive and produce the file very quickly. It also 'learns' your filing habits so that, over time, it can point you towards types of files and locations that you use most often.

Why I care - As cool as this program is, in theory, I probably won't use it as much as some of the others. I am very systematic in my own thinking and storage. As I create and store files, I tend to build a system of folders that are organized into topical groups. It rarely takes me any time to find a file I need. I also found a great little program to help clean up the mess that is my desktop and downloads folder. Read on.

Program synopsis - Hazel is your own personal maid for the Mac. She loves to watch for clutter in your house. She keeps a close eye on any rooms that you choose, and when you walk by and just dump something on the floor, like the lazy tyrant boss you are, Hazel will pick up that item deal with it according to your instructions.

Why I care - When I am working on a file or project, it is often saved many times, placed in the same place, and never moved around. When I surf the internet, recieve files from a friend, take a screenshot or go shopping for new applications, the files get thrown into my downloads folder or onto my desktop. They pile up and make life a big mess. Hazel works in the background. It will watch any folder I tell it to and deal with files according to a set of rules that I create. I LOVE HAZEL. It does my organizing for me.

Program synopsis - Write room is a word processor. It takes a minimilist view of writing on the computer by creating a full screen view text. Just text and a cursor. Nothing more. It is a throwback to writing when it did not involve pallettes, font changing, or the billion other things that other word processors let you do. Writeroom is about writing and nothing more.

Why I care - This was probably my favourite program that came in the bundle and is something that I would consider buying for our school computer lab. It removes all of the distractions that a computer has to offer. I love to use it for my journal writing and story writing. I thought, at first, that it was gimmicky, but it really helped me to focus on what I was doing in the moment, instead of worrying about what new RSS feed was coming through or if I had a new email yet. When I'm done my writing, I can copy and paste it into a Word for editing and publishing but when it comes to the creative aspect, WriteRoom is the place to be.

I was so happy to see that Betty had developed a wiki site for us to use over the course of the summer institute. Having past experience with this specific wiki company (www.wikispaces.com) helped me to become immediately involved in the evolution of this site over the eight day of the institute. Some of the ways I was involved in our wiki world are (F6):

During the Chasing Metaphors exercise, Craig and I created a Scratch animation to display our metaphor. We entitled it Macintosh: A Key to Knowledge. I enjoyed this excercise because it was set up in a challenge fashion. Create a metaphor similar to the 'Chasing Metaphors' video in one hour. It was a great lesson that I will use in Humanities next year.

Shelley Wilcox came and spoke to use about the Action Research cycle. It was a very informative talk and I have used her handout countless times already since then. It was helpful to hear the process of doing an action research project in very simple, unasuming terms. I understood better the idea that the information from my action research project does not have to be applicable to the greater world. That is, it is a personal process designed to help me understand and improve my own teaching practice. This lifted a great burden from my shoulders. I was very thankful for Shelley coming in to inform us about the process.

The other session that I really enjoyed and found useful was Colleen Alstad's talk on the ERIC database. The day before, a few of us went into the database to try and familiarize ourselves with it. It was confusing and frustrating. I was very anxious then about doing research for my field study as it seemed it would be a great chore. After Colleen's talk, ERIC became the best thing since sliced bread. I enjoyed searching for and reading through articles related to my area of study...and I was sure I would detest that process.

It is important that we do not 'buy in' to the technological wave sweeping our profession without looking at some of the issues that have already or will soon come up (B6). This assignment was designed to have us research an issue and report our opinion on it. The format for the assignment was excellent as it allowed us to post and reply to each other's issues (C1). Below are links that will take you to my posted issue and my replys to my colleague's posts.

Below is a video from Google Video that shows some of the negative side of the e-waste industry. How are we, as technology experts and educators contributing to this problem (B1)?

a) iCal - This was an impromptu demo given when Craig saw me entering information into my iCal (see above). We went through the program together and I showed Craig how to setup different categories, subscribe to online calendars, and create a to-do list.

b) Google Survey Form - This was a very cool feature that Gary Toews introduced me to last year. I used it a few times on my class website to test how it works and plan to use it on a regular basis next year. Google docs was one of the tools that the whole group used over the course of the summer institute so it was great to be able to show a relatively unknown use of the web based spreadsheet. Many members of my mentor group have already set up introduction survey forms for their class in September.

c) Scratch - I always love showing people how to use Scratch. I had a small group gather around my computer to see how to create some simple programs. The possiblities really are endless.

d) Creating your own Icons - This was a process that I figured out one night while working on my assignments. I really enjoy the power to personalize my mac.