#23 Reflection--Wooooo Hooooo is right!

      The more I learn about the internet and the things that are out there, the more I realize that I don't know.....I have soooo much to learn.   I feel like a speck!   How can a person be totally enthralled and excited about something, and yet, be afraid in the same moment of learning?  Part of my fear, comes as a parent and as a teacher of younger children.  I worry for them, there's so many distractions and the temptation to waste time or get involved with something they have NO business getting into, is and will continue to be great.  Healthy boundaries, reasonable limits and self-control will be even MORE necessary in the future.  Parents are going to have to take a strong stance and then hold their ground as they consistently enforce and reinforce the boundaries for their child/children.  Parenting is not a passive encounter....we're going to have to be diligent and active, as we monitor our children's exposure to all the great, creative and wonderful things offered on the web; as well as, filter their use and deflect them from the potential evils that lurk within the digital world.

     I see great opportunity in improving collaboration efforts among colleagues, as we learn to communicate in the explosion of the digital world.  It's going to be crucial that all educators and administrators stay on top of the digital culture; so, that we can continue to be able to model lifelong learning behaviors.  I've long held the attitude, that we learn best, when we perceive it as play.  The 23 Things Project has shown me the mere tip of the iceberg of the "digital toys" that are out there...FREE....just waiting for someone to come, learn, and play.  This project should be mandatory for all university students entering the field of education.  If they knew how to use even half of the Web 2.0 sites explored in the 23 things Project, they'd be even more prepared for the opportunity to embrace the digital world and pass the enthusiasm along to students.

     Admittedly, I am part of the "immediate gratification" generation.  I want it now and I want it to be simple.  Much of what this experience taught me, plays right into that mindset.  The more I worked with the activities and ventured into exploring the sites and applications, the more I realized that I will have to be patient with my own ability to learn only so much, at once; I'll have to prioritize my needs, and then be thorough with my learning a new task, before chasing yet another interesting digital rabbit down another trail.    

      Focus, Martha, focus!  Feel the fear and do it anyway!!!!!