The Virgin Blogger

My first experience at Blogging!

This blog, my first ever foray into the blogging world, forms part of my ICT module on the PCE (PCET). I am embarking on this course of study because of a forced change to my career path. I am shortly to be made redundant from my job as a Coastguard Officer, a position I have held for the past 18 years. I have been a fan of education and learning for many years now, but like a lot of people of my generation, I didn't fully understand the importance of education and learning when I was young.
I always did quite well in school but admit to not doing as well as I could have. I allowed myself to get sidetracked by friends and social activities, which is not unusual when you are 14/15. How many of you remember your parents preaching at you about how important school and education was? I certainly remember mine saying it... Infact I hear my mother's voice in my head when I find myself saying the exact same thing to my own daughter, the irony of it never fails to make me smile.
Why is it, that as adults we are much more open to learning and more motivated to improve, than we are as children? Could it be that we have learnt to appreciate that our destiny is in our hands, if we want something we have to MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! Anyway, I now appreciate the benefits of learning for career progression and personal development. The labour market can be a tough place these days, with competition for jobs high. I want to ensure that I give myself the best opportunity to compete for jobs that I can, but more importantly I want a job that I really want.

I can hear you all thinking "What does she mean, a job she wants?" Well it's quite simple really, for the past 24 years, I have been lucky to have jobs that I have loved. Always challenging, always something different happening, now that I am in need of a new career path, I want to make sure that I find it equally as fulfilling. I always believe that it's easier to get up in the morning if you love what you do. For many years now I have pondered the possibility of a job in learning and development. Hence the decision to become a teacher. Still trying to work out if I am completely crazy, only time will tell....

So here I am, sitting in the ICT suite on my 3rd week on the PCE and I am reminded that my knowledge of ICT is limited. Sure, I can use a computer, surf the internet, read and update facebook status.
I can use the elements of technology that my job requires of me and I definitely know way more than both of my parents! But I am beginning to realise that my use of ICT is limited because I choose for it to be.
I am a busy, 40 something, Mum and after working a minimum of 48 hours a week, in a pretty stressful environment, the last thing I want to do in any spare time I may get, is use technology. That is aside from checking Facebook or my emails, which these days is as routine as turning on the television. I have never really explored IT for pleasure or entertainment.

However, after my first ICT lesson, it has become quite obvious to me that I am missing out! There is so much technology available that can not only enrich my teaching but also my life. During this blog I am going to explore some of the technology available and see if it can be beneficially applied to the teaching process. The PCE is a very steep learning curve for me and ICT a gentle slope in that curve, so far, I am liking my journey.