New name... Same Learning Game...

Since I got my MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Second Languages and Cultures from the U of Minnesota in 2010...

I decided I needed a new name for my blog since I am technically no longer "Alyssa at the U" (of M). But I got to thinking that even though I have my Master's degree, the learning doesn't stop... (hence the new title for my blog) I am currently enrolled in an online course through CARLA at the University of Minnesota entitled Social Networking in the Foreign Language Classroom. It is quite interesting and has so far roped me into many hours on the Internet, a Twitter account (which I thought I would never do), Diigo, and many endless readings of blogs. I have also been very casually and unofficially "auditing" my husband's (Casey) online classes (he's getting a second Masters in Educational Technology) via discussions with him, eavesdropping (with permission) on his Jing videos and Skype conversations, papers/projects etc. It seems like Casey and I can talk of nothing else except education- I wonder why we don't get sick of it?- so we tend to share cool ideas with each other and therefore get double the fun from one of us going to a conference or taking a class [although only one of us gets the official paperwork :(]

I also decided it's time to write another blog post since I apparently haven't done so for 2 years- ay! I have a lot to process as I just finished up attending the PLC conference at the convention center her in Mpls (search #atplc on Twitter) and have been thinking a lot about the 4 questions of a Professional Learning Community:

1. What do we want all students to know and be able to do?
2. How will we know if they have learned it?
3. What will we do if they haven't learned it?
4. What will we do if they already know it? (DuFour)

Even though it appears to be "another initiative," the PLC movement is really just common sense- Why wouldn't we be asking these questions in order to be effective teachers and learners? *"I'm sorry Bob, I just can't get behind the idea of Learning..."* I start a class on Second Language Acquisition tomorrow (again, a CARLA institute).

I am very excited for some more learning!