Why I'm Starting This Blog

I am Nancy Shugan, a computer teacher at Saukview School. Saukview is an elementary school of about 350 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. We are in the far south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I am starting this blog for several reasons.

First and most practically, this is a project for a class I’m taking. My assignment is to select a technology that is new to me and to try it out. My class will be presenting our experiences with our new technology on the last day of class. I am to discuss what it felt like being an inexperienced learner, (Short answer: scary, exciting.) and how I could use this technology as an educator. (More: later.)

Second, the technology club is new for Saukview and new for me. Technology Club consists of 19 fourth and fifth grade students and me. I want to record our first steps, to document our growth, to share our fun, to be able to look back and see how far we’ve grown in the first year.

Third, I am seeking the expertise of all readers. You have some skill, some knowledge, some experience, and some thoughts on what a technology club should or could be. I’m new at this; please share with me! Is there a website that you think we would enjoy exploring? Is there a technology that you think we would love to try? What questions would you like to see us tackle? I will post your comments and questions, and we will all grow together.

Finally, I love writing. (I could never Twitter. One hundred forty characters and you’re done? Ha! That’s my preamble.) Especially outside of the classroom, I always feel that I need to explain things completely, to give the background, to explain the rationale behind my actions, and to express my observations. I am not particularly outgoing and I tend to listen more than I talk, especially in a group. But, I observe well and I am intuitive. Those two traits combine well and it is my hope that as I write, think, edit, ruminate, and share with you, you will learn, laugh, and enjoy the journey with us!