Joe McConda on Technology, Education, and Culture

The saying, “Third time’s a charm” applies to my “Tappedin” experience.  It shouldn’t surprise me that I had trouble getting into the Tips session….everything I’ve done this week has been a lesson in developing patience and persistance.  Once again, I believe the problem was with the Vista operating system on my computer.  I had to use a different computer (that kept shutting down on me) with XP in order to do the tour.  However, once I finally got into the tour, I was impressed with the many features in Tappedin and the potential it has to improve, support, and connect teachers across the world.  The  resources available through various groups are numerous and I would like to learn more about the k-12 option.  In my current situation, I would not be able to use the student version since in a correctional facility, students would not be allowed that access.  For a regular classroom, though, I can see benefits.  I’d like to get in on the advanced session to learn more about it. 

I’m Joe McConda and I am just beginning my master’s program.  I currently teach high school math in a juvenile correctional facility.  I chose to enroll in Morehead’s new educational technology master’s program because it seems very interesting and much more useful than other education programs I’d looked into.  I know I will learn much from this class since I know very little about distance learning and technology.  Years ago, I wrote math learning programs using Basic computer language and recorded them on cassette tapes. I think things have changed a lot since then.  For example, there was no world wide web or internet.  By the way, I read one of Dr. Lowell’s blogs that said there is a difference in the two and I’m hoping to find out what it is.