To Blog or Not to Blog

This blog post will differ greatly from my usual content since I will be using my blog for a very fascinating graduate course I am taking this summer on mobile technology. To start, I will note that I am writing this particular post on my iPhone in a vehicle with my husband as we are on the go. I am using the FREE Blogger application to check, manage, and post to my blogs. The Blogger application is incredibly easy to use and very simple. I don't know about you, but when it comes to my productivity applications I like them SIMPLE! (Below is a screen shot of the Blogger iPhone application after the user has logged in and selected the blog they would like to manage. It was incredibly easy putting this picture in this blog post as well!)

I have used (and still have) a blog through WordPress. While I found it to be a very nice blogging option, I always return to Blogger. I find Blogger VERY easy to use and I love that it is linked to my Google account. Anytime I can minimize passwords, accounts, and links I do. In addition, I am comfortable with the layout and options Blogger offers. It is easy for me to adjust my background and customize different parts of the blog. I even linked up Google Reader so that my favorite educational blogs appear on the right side of my blog. (Of course I will need to change this soon since Google Reader will be leaving soon...) 

This blog is traditionally used for me to post all of the interesting things I do and find for a middle school classroom. It started as Stacie's Acute Math Blog (I taught 6th grade math...do you get it?!?!)    When I was hired by the Greencastle-Antrim School District I became a 7th grade STEM teacher so I adjusted the name of my blog. I usually post the activities and units I have created for my classroom as well as links to fantastic STEM resources (that are usually FREE!).

So, this week's question is "who are you?"

Well, my name is Stacie and I am currently a 7th grade teacher in south-central Pennsylvania.  I have two Rottweilers that keep me very busy and a loving husband.  This summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend the Siemen's STEM Institute.  This is an opportunity awarded to only 50 educators across the nation (3 from Pennsylvania).  Prior to teaching I attended Shippensburg University and obtained a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in reading and a mathematics concentration.  At the end of my first year of teaching I began my M.S. in Instructional Media through Wilkes University which I completed in a little less of a year.  Currently I am wrapping up my Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate program at Clarion University.  

As for my experience with mobile devices, I would say that I am very experienced.  I have three iPads, multiple laptops, an iPhone, and another tablet device.  I use all of my devices without much frustration and for a variety of reasons.  This past May I took a course with a friend on iPads in the classroom which helped expand my knowledge base of creation applications.  In my classroom I have ten iPads to use with my students and an Apple TV attached to my SMART Board so that I can project (through AirPlay) my iPad or any student iPad.  One of the reasons I chose to take this particular course was to continue to expand my knowledge of how I can use my iPads in the classroom and get the most from the devices.  An iPad should not be put in front of students to entertain them, but to enhance instruction and motivate students to learn.  (The other reason I am taking this course is because it is the only one offered to fulfill my final ITSC course requirements.)  I am REALLY looking forward to this course as well as blogging about what I learn on my classroom blog!  I hope everyone has a FANTASTIC week!!!