Well, this is my first posting on my Blog. This blog serves two purposes: 1) I figured that in 2008 it is time to document and reflect on this exciting busy, busy life that I live. I am so busy that sometimes I forget to look at life and remember to enjoy it's diverse aspects. 2) As my role as a teacher educator, I want to show my students how technology that we didn't have available 15 years ago can truly enhance both our personal and professional life.
I want to encourage my students in the AT Certificate course that I teach to begin a blog and create it for your purpose with your focus and your lens to learning. All you have to do is discover or explore one article in Closing The Gap Solutions and talk about it and discuss anything else you would like relating to AT and the AT assessment process.
Now on with my other life .... life as an AT specialist. Wow- we are 8 days into the New Year and truly it feels as if I have already spent months researching and problem-solving technology solutions for real people.
I have to add that real people part because many people believe that life in Academia isn't real and that we spend our lives in made up case studies. Not the case in the life of an AT doctor. This day alone, I received 6 phone calls in finding technology solutions for students in the public school. All depending on me to give them the answers when in reality they are the key to the answers. People don't want to hear that AT considerations and solutions take a team. It also takes time- Well , I will go into that at another time.
My morning began at 8am arriving on campus to set up the details of a reserach study that I have been wanting to do since June of 2007. Meeting and discussing with a wonderful student willing to volunteer his time. That is the coolest part of my Academia Life - the students. Their willingness to learn, explore and the positive energy...ph where does that energy go as we get older?? The eagerness to jump in and take action- YAHOOO!
An hour was used to track down resources to encourage undergraduate students involvement in research. Seems to be an initiative on campus but only honors students are awarded small stipends. Ah yes good old university leaders- no innovation here... they could never think outside the box that perhaps an "Average student" can become an Exceptional Student through new and wonderful research opportunities would be too much for them.
During the morning hours, I also attempted as AT Lab director to provide a community service provider with a AT device to borrow and try with a client. But for some reason we missed each other so I will attmept it again tomorrow! Resources are so limited and borrowing an item could really help folks try different devices before buying!
In addition, I set up the lab for other faculty to use the wonderful resources to hold an on the spot meeting.... hmmm should one be so accomodating?
The rest of my day was truly conference calls and meetings. All necessary and so I go home at 6pm to dinner on the table and big hugs and an hour of real life conversation. Do you know the cost of a postage stamp? This actually was on a test for mental competence...well my life has been so busy ever since I earned the PhD that I had no idea that it costs 41 cents. I asked my husband when did that happen?
So it is now time for completing all the things I need to do to do my day job that truly can't be done during the day. As an AT Doctor I have one career but two jobs! SO I begin my night job... time to plan classes and activites for the new semester. Time to write the chapter that is due tomorrow. Time to answer emails... so Today is now Tonight and off I go to my night job.
I love both my jobs or my career but wow is it full!
See Next Week!
