Tapped-In Mentoring and Skypalicious Times

I really liked the idea of the electronic mentorship. What an amazing opportunity to be able to get advice from wise, older teachers from all around the world. I sometimes found it hard to formulate meaningful questions, especially at the beginning of the year. It's difficult to come up with something to ask another teacher when you've not had very much experience in teaching, yourself. I came up with more questions about teaching, not always techno-specific ones, though, as the semester went on, but found that my peers answered my later questions more than the older, wiser members of the group. I guess my questions were still less than fabulous. Still, there were a couple of times when expert advice from Allanah and Aimee saved my lesson plan (yea!), and I imagine that John will be a very helpful resource for trying to get an urban perspective on things, which isn't addressed at all in W&M classes.
It was also very interesting to hear what concerns my peers have, and to see the advice that everyone gave to each other. Sometimes implementing tricks that our peers' cooperating teachers use might be helpful in our own classrooms, and those people who have has experience working in schools before, can offer some expert advice of their own. Over all, I thought that Tapped-in was a helpful resource, and enjoyed reading and posting on it.

On another note... my best friend and I went on a great Skype adventure today. He's been in the Netherlands since January, and he won't be back until July, so I've missed him very much. We exchange e-mails, and have talked on the phone a couple of times, but it's pricey, and even if I can hear his voice, it's nothing like being with him. WELL, today I caught him on Gmail, and I told him to download Skype right away. He did so, as he should, because I'm the boss, and after a few oopsey-daisies, we were using the video phone option! It was so great to be able to see his new haircut, to see him smile and laugh, and to give each other tours of our living spaces! I even introduced him to my roommate and my cats, who thought the movement on the screen was fascinating (the cats, of course, not my roommate... she's fascinated by much more sophisticated things... like Fraggle Rock). I couldn't believe how much it lifted my spirits to be able to talk to him "in person" instead of over the phone or through e-mail. We're planning to use it again soon... it's so addictive! GOD BLESS SKYPE!