Computer Teacher, Teach Thy Self!

 Funny,  I started to have readers and get excited with my blogging and then life happened,  I found myself with very little time to read (blogs).  Now I am four + months pregnant and find myself considering the impact that Web 2.0 technologies will have on my child’s education.  One blog I read today reaffirmed my belief that technology can help the process of education for those with Learning Disabilities.   Vicki Davis takes on a personal note when she blogs about her son’s essay:

So, today, I will share with you today the power of what happens when you accommodate and use technology to help children. And to challenge you to realize that gifted children have LD too. We all have learning differences. These learning differences must be understood and accommodated!

I have learned so much about thinking and processing by blogging alone, I can’t even begin to describe how computer technology has helped me with my own learning disablilities.  If you have not done so already you should take a moment to read this young man’s impressive essay on character. Most importantly consider where he would be right now if his mother (Vicki) had not fought for the use of adaptive technology.  Next, think of all the students you know who suffer from  low self esteem and will not take risks like entering their essay in a contest because they are afraid of looking dumb.

Why Character Counts

Honesty, perseverance, and responsibility are character traits that the community, the business world, and the whole world need more. There are many definitions for honesty. Not lying, cheating, nor stealing are examples of honesty. Being fair and upright are also part of being honest. If all the people in the world were honest, there would be no fighting, no wars, no crimes, and no lying. Give other people credit, don’t take more than your fair share, and don’t lie are only some of the many things honesty can teach us.

Perseverance, not giving up when times are hard, is another part of having good character. Never, ever stop until the job is done. It is like when my grandma tells me the story of the frog and the butter churn. He fell in and had to keep kicking until there was enough butter to stand on so he could jump out. He almost quit and drowned, but no, he kept on kicking, and he lived. If the world had perseverance, there would be no divorce, no suicide, and no quitters.

Responsibility is accepting the blame for our own actions…not blaming others for our own faults. We are all human, and we all have flaws, but we need to still take responsibility for our mistakes.

When I think of these three traits, I think of my Poppa who is a farmer. Poppa is honest, and when he tells people something, they believe him because he has never lied to them before. He perseveres as a farmer when it doesn’t rain or when there is too much rain. He never quits, and people around the world know he’s a great farmer. Poppa has to be responsible to make sure he properly disposes of waste on the farm like the dead chickens so that the environment stays safe. I use him as my living example of good character and someone who is honest, perseveres, and is responsible.

Bravo! You are my hero!