Hello!

Wow. So I have really missed all my friends in Blogland. Life got busy, school got busy, and my interests changed a little bit…. But now I am back and ready to rediscover all of you and share new things. So… Glad to see you all again!

Let's see... what's new since I last posted--I think about 2 years ago :(

1. I graduated with my Elementary Education degree from Simpson last April!
2. I was hired as a Clerk at my local library.
3. I started graduate school at San Jose State University for Library School.
4. I have gotten a lot braver with my crochet creations.
5. I got a promotion at my library to Library Assistant- Teen Specialist
6. My puppy is lot older now- She is almost 3!
7. I keep thinking about how much I have missed you, so my goal is to become a more regular poster again this year. :)
8. And, I don't know… How about some pictures? :)

Crochet Projects

Knitted Frilly Scarves- Very addictive

Cleo and her Bowtie

Doggie Hat

More to come later! Thanks for reading!

Katy

Traditional Versus Online Education

Education is an unique experience for every student. Nowadays, we are lucky we can choose from different types of schools for what may best fit our own learning styles. Although I believe there are pros and cons to both traditional and online education, I am excited about what the future of online education holds.

Traditional education is great because it provides an individualized experience to the students. They are able to talk face-to-face with their instructors, receive individualized help and learn leadership, teamwork and social skills through personal interactions. However, the growth of the internet is changing some of these experiences.

Online education is a new platform that is gaining rapid popularity. There are many sites that allow students to collaborate together over the internet by tracking each student’s comments and edits. Another popular idea is the reverse lecture class. Students watch the lecture online and then during class time they are able to work on problems, get one-on-one help and ask questions. I think this is a great idea to help the students have more interaction and clarification time during class.

Many schools who don’t offer specific classes, can now enroll their students in online classes through another school. The students can find a subject they are interested in as well as participate in higher-level thinking courses. 

One of my personal favorite websites is Khan Academy. I love this site because it lays out many difficult math and science concepts and re-explains them in several different ways. It is very accommodating to different learning styles.

Right now, there is a wide variety of resources to explore and begin to integrate into a traditional classroom with technology. As more resources are developed, online education will become more affordable and popular as a school form.

For more information, check out these articles and websites:

Sources:

Can Online Education Tackle Achievement Gap? Tell Me More. National Public Radio. Oct. 2012. http://www.npr.org/2012/10/10/162643520/can-online-education-tackle-achievement-gap

Hood, Grace. More Teachers ‘Flipping’ The School Day Upside Down. All Things Considered. National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/2012/12/07/166748835/more-teachers-flipping-the-school-day-upside-down

Khan Academy. http://www.khanacademy.org/

Online Education Grows Up, and For Now, It’s Free. All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Sept. 2012. http://www.npr.org/2012/09/30/162053927/online-education-grows-up-and-for-now-its-free

Go PURPLE on OCT 19th!!!

Wear PURPLE on Friday, October 19th to celebrate and support LGBT rights and LGBT youth!!

:D

Back in blogland

Hello friends,

Wow. It has been quite a while since I last visited blogland. Here are some quicky updates.

First off,  I am sorry about my mysterious disappearance and absence. It kinda just happened without me planning it. Guess life will do that to you.

Second off, my summer job is going really well. I have been busy working at the college library on my school campus. I love my job and the people I work with a lot!

Third,  I have been getting all of my paperwork ready for grad school. The library job really helps for that, both for experience and references. :)  In addition, I have been getting ready for my senior year of (undergrad) college- one semester left and then a semester of student teaching. Then grad school. :O

Next, my family just got back from a week of vacation on the beach. It was much needed and we had wonderful 80-90 degree weather the entire week. Now, usually we prefer the 70s, but two weeks ago, our normal temperature in Iowa was 105 degrees. Soooo.... the 80-90 degree weather on the beach was absolutely gorgeous!!

Oh, and we had a surprise party for my mom the week before we went on vacation. We had been planning it for a month or so and it never got spoilt! That was pretty darn awesome-- I'll do a separate post about this with more details later. :)

Let's see.... the puppy, Cleo,  had to go to doggy daycare/boarding while we were on vacation. However, being social, she adored it! She had a blast playing with the other dogs everyday!  (She is kinda bored at home now...hmmm)

We are moving my sister to her college for her first year starting next week. She is getting really excited for her college year to start.

And we got our new pond installed and the fish moved in. They are nice and happy. And... don't know if this is good or bad... they are quite tame. If you sit on the edge of the rock and dangle your feet in the water, the 5 fish swim right up and kiss your legs and toes. :)

Oh, and lastly... I have been teaching my mom to crochet. So far, she has mastered the chain, single crochet and US double crochet. Yay!!

Okay- Now I have to work on my statement of purpose for my grad school app. I'll be back later with more details and maybe some pictures too!

Thanks for reading!!

As Always,

Katy

And the Winners are…

dun dun dunnnnn…………




Marina (Evelyn-May) and Claire ( Sweet Birdy Love)!!! 






You both posted about excellent-sounding books, so I would like to send you both something.   : 0)
Also, now I am going to add both of those books to my list. Ooo. I'm excited!




Please both email me at kayakerbook@gmail.com with your home mailing addresses. Then I can send you a cute little something in the mail. :)


Thanks!




P.S. Sorry this post is a day late. I had a bad migraine yesterday because of the much needed rain that was passing through. I'm much better today. :)


Have a great day!

As Always,

Peace,

Katy

Thanks!

Hey everybody,


Sorry for my absence from blogland lately. I have been busy working. I will fill you in about that a little bit later.


Anyways- this is just a quick note thanking you for your kind comments and your wishes for my foot. It is getting better, slowly. :)

Hugs and Thank you's!


Enjoy your weekend!

As Always,

Peace,

Katy

GiveAway!!!

Thanks everyone! I have reached 30 followers and probably a few others!!!!! :)

I want to do a little giveaway (my first one!) for you. :)

Soo.. this is what you will have to do...

Comment on this post by Saturday the 16th and tell me what your favorite book is/author and why you like it. :)
Then I will put your names into a bucket and pull out a winner!

You are all amazing and I enjoy reading each of your blogs. Thanks for reading my blog. I don't know you all that well, but I consider you my friends!! Thanks!! ;D

As Always,

Peace,
Katy