A Spark Plug

Yesterday evening, I began facilitating a six-week online class for EDC called Learning & Teaching with the Read/Write Web. I was excited to begin the course, but I was also inspired by how much each participant contributed in terms of ideas and projects they planned or have implemented using various Web 2.0 tools.

In a way, it gave me renewed energy to continue doing what I do. I have questioned on occasion why I do so much professional development in the area of technology applications into teaching when sometimes it comes with no reward in its face value. But I have found that I continually uncover gems whenever I spend my time interacting with other educators.

As in this video I created as part of my application to attend a Google Teacher Academy, there are truly many hats of motivation:

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Comment by John Rivera on May 8, 2007 at 2:15pm: Thanks for the constructive feedback, Skip. Yup, a one-minute video isn't more than a teaser to greater thought. One minute was the constraint for the application to the Google Teacher Academy, and what I created served its purpose as I was accepted into this teacher program. Keeping the video amateurish is intended as a wimsical thought about motivation. But here in the Read/Write Web, anyone can develop what they feel motivation is. I believe that was the intent of Google when they made this a requirement. And so I wait for others to show how they could further develop the metaphor in their perspective rather than I alone try to dictate what the message is. I do like the idea of multiple hats throughout the day, though. Keep up the suggestions!

Comment by Hasmik N. Avanesian on June 22, 2007 at 9:07am: John I want to thank you for opening the online window of communication for me and eventually for my students. I am so excited that now I have a blogline and a wiki, and now the classroom 2.0.