Technology

Well...since school was cancelled today, I thought that I would take advantage of the "extra" time to write my second blog of the week.
One thing that I really struggled with last week was Logo. I have never used a program like Logo before, and I found it very frustrating at times. When I took Geometry in high school, we learned how to measure and draw angles using protractors and compasses. I also teach third grade, so most of my current experiences with Geometry are on a very basic level. I am trying to reteach myself vocabulary words and phrases, on top of learning a new way to measure and draw geometric figures using technology that I find intimidating.
Honestly, if Mary and I had not been able to find time to sit down at our individual computers to wade through it together, I am not sure that I could have completed all of the activites assigned. It was so helpful to have someone with me to help me sort through the new material.
Mary and I also sit together in class. This has been very helpful during our class meetings because we have been able to help each other with Sketchpad. I am truly grateful to Mary for her patience and willingness to help me.
Right now, I am trying to complete as many of the assigned tasks as possible each week. At this point, I am trying to become familiar with these programs. I feel that the best way to do this is to work with it and its functions as much as possible. I will say that the more that I worked with Logo last week, the better things went. Monday night's work with Sketchpad went better than my first experience, as you would expect. Hopefully I will continue to get better at the technology with each new week. I didn't think that I would ever blog, and look at me now!

Geometry Vocabulary

I am feeling better about things after last night's class. My first post was written after our first meeting and I was feeling very overwhelmed. I felt encouraged by some of our class discussions because I heard words and phrases that were familiar to me. I am not completely comfortable with all the words and phrases by any means, but I was at least pleased with my recollection of something from my high school Geometry class.
I am beginning to realize that vocabulary is a much bigger part of this class than it has been in any of my previous classes. Right now that is one of the road blocks that I am running into. I am having to look up and recall terms such as alternate interior/exterior angles, and it is taking longer for me to sort through the tasks because I no longer have those definitions committed to memory.
It is difficult to complete tasks and learn new programs when I am spending a lot of time looking up words and phrases that I need to/should know.
I believe that my success in this class (or maybe just my sanity) is going to be dependent on my ability to relearn and familiarize myself with key geometric words and phrases.
I am hoping that Geometry is like riding a bike...

Getting Started...

This morning has been interesting...I have been trying to get everything loaded, downloaded, and printed off.
To be completely honest, last night's class was very overwhelming for me. It has been a very long time since I have taken a Geometry course, let alone at this level. The terminology was really intimidating. I followed our work with circles, however, and experienced a level of success with the fencing activity-that was somewhat encouraging.
I know that I am going to need a lot of help and assistance this semester, especially in getting started. I am looking forward to the challenge, though, and anticipate learning a lot!