Project #1

My first website!
Staying On Your Toes

Personal Learning Networks

I'm excited to use my own Personal Learning Network and learn from people and educators all over the world! It's amazing how connected the world is becoming through technology and specifically through the internet. I decided to use google reader for my own personal learning network. I feel the most comfortable with google and because I have used google programs for so many other things I thought that would be the easiest way to start my own PLN. There are so many websites and blogs that I will need to sift through over time to figure out exactly who I want to network with, but one helpful site I found was the Educators Personal Learning Network and I decided to join that and hope it will help me in the future as I become an educator.

Helpful RSS Feeds

The following is the RSS feed for Americans for the Arts: http://rss.artsusa.org/afta/news/ This website shares news about national policies, ways to get involved with the arts, how to be an advocate of the arts and upcoming events.

I also added a RSS feed for a website called National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): http://www.ncte.org/rss because I am getting an English teaching minor. This website is helpful because it shares ideas and advice for elementary, middle school, high school, and university teachers.

The last website I subscribed to was the U.S. Department of Education: http://www2.ed.gov/rss/edgov.xml I believe it is important as an educator to know where our country and administration stands on educational policies. This website shares the latest information on education policies and initiatives.

Why Blog?

My name is Rachelle Pierce and I am a senior at BYU majoring in Dance Education. I grew up in Northern California (Tracy, CA for those of you who may know the area around Sacramento) but currently my family lives in Castle Rock, CO (just 30 miles south of Denver). I love the outdoors, music, art museums, movies, reading, creating, and dancing! I believe the arts are vital to every child's education and I think blogs can help the arts become more accessible in the classrooms. Students can find images of famous works of art online or images of well-known artists (painters, sculptures, musicians, playwrights, and choreographers) and then post comments about what they have learned about those artists. Blogs are also a great way to stay connected to the parents of your students. You can post weekly newsletters to keep the parents informed and involved. As a dance educator I can also post important upcoming events such as performances, workshops with master teachers, and various dance and art opportunities.