Last week, I looked at blackboard and I was thinking, “Oh my gosh what the heck is an aggregator and how in this world do we feed it.” I asked several people what an aggregator was and one person said, “Is it like an alligator?” At first I laughed and thought that person was crazy, but now as I am becoming experienced with aggregators and feeds, it is kind of like an alligator and we are feeding it with our words, comments, questions/concerns, and responses. I appreciate what professor Lowell said, “in a couple days you will be feeding the gator.” I am beginning to see how this is connected and how our class in connected at all angles. I have definitely learned something new in this class and I have had to demonstrate to several people (the same folks that I asked about the aggregator) what a gator is and how it works. I am looking forward to the many tasks and challenges that lie ahead in the field of distance learning.

While browsing through OldDaily, my attention was captured by one particular article, “How Many Calories Are in Coke Zero,” by Stephen Downes(http://www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?post=35567). I can relate to the sickness and irritability mentioned in this article. There is some kind of bug going around and it is not fun to be acquainted with! My son has been sick with it and I feel it’s coming after me! So, how many calories are in coke zero? Don’t actually know cause I don’t drink coke. If I were guessing, zero sounds good but that would have to be a joke, right? One thing about distance learning–I can still attend cyber class even if I am propped up in the bed with my laptop! :-) I don’t think I am contagious–not this far away anyhow!

This class is a prime example of Distance Education.  Personally, I feel this is a way for people that are in various locations to be connected.  For example, members of this class are scattered here and there, but yet it seems as if we are all sitting in a classroom together.  Furthermore, distance education broadens our possiblities and our knowledge base where the doors are opened to a distiguished educational atmosphere with diverse learning tools just a click away.  There is so much valuable information and educational tools that can be incoporated through distance education and in the 21st century, it is the way to go!

This was a really nice adventure, once I found where I was going.  I went several different places, and finally I read the reply in our “Help Me” folder and figured out to click the “Me” link.  Sometimes I think I make things too complicated.  :-) I really liked the setup of the office–it seemed very real.  This would be a nice place to have your students come to–the possibilities are unlimited.  I even figured out how to change the look of my room.  I didn’t have a lot of time to venture, but I am looking forward to seeing what all is available.

Hello,

This is such a new world for me! I like it though. I think I am catching on a little. Whew! I am taking the advice to BREATHE. :-) Ok, my name is Frances R. Branham. I live in Paintsville, Kentucky where I am raising a wonderful four year old son that requires my undivided attention–I love him with all of my heart. In addition to my chaotic life, I sing with a group called the Big Sandy Singers, obviously from Big Sandy Community and Technical College (for those of you that have read this speech already I am sorry, you can skip to the end). I work in the admissions office at BSCTC and I am working on my Master’s Degree. I have noticed several familiar people in this class and I am starting to feel that we are in the game together, even though I have never met them face to face. I am sure this will be an exciting semester and it will be much easier once we all adapt to this new technology and iron out our difficulties. Good Luck to us all! :-)