Our goal for this session was to decide next steps in regard to design and layout of Jennifer’s site. Likewise, we wanted to brainstorm options for additional media to use for her site.
Fortunately, we were we were able to successfully and productively talk through possible options for her menu and header layout. We talked through her likes and dislikes in other sites she has seen. We also focused on the different possibilities for additional media she may use as well as which examples she might exclude from using additional media.
We both feel good about the progress we've made and are excited to move forward with the design elements. Jennifer will focus on attempting to ticker with Google Sites on her own time this week and I will be available for assistance should she need it.
In our next session, Jennifer and I will work through creating a “skeleton” or frame for her site. We will decide on what her main menu will consist of and what deeper elemental layers she would like to add to her site.
Until next time...
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mentoring Session #1
I recently had my first mentoring session with my mentee. I feel quite blessed to have found a good friend with which to experience this venture. She is also finishing her Master’s degree in Student Affairs at Azusa Pacific University and as luck would have it she has to create a sort of e-Portfolio showcasing her work as she rounds out her final semester just as I do.
I must say, luckily, she is able to use an open source form of web creation like Google Sites to create her portfolio so we won’t be overwhelmed with the complexity of learning/teaching something like Dreamweaver at the same time.
I think this will end up being a great pairing for multiple reasons.
First, we happen to be old friends living about an hour away from each other but who never get together, so the simple fact that we will get to see each other is nice. I’ll note we do have to schedule 1 hour for mentoring and about 2 hours for “Catch-Up Time”.
Secondly, I have now attained a great enough level of technology know-how that navigating a place like Google Sites is quite intuitive. For her, however, it’s still a bit foreign. With this matching I will have the opportunity to reflect on my own learning experience as I guide her to her own level of understanding.
Plainly, it also seems fated that we can each fill such distinct needs for each other as we simultaneously wrap up our Master’s Programs. We will have the opportunity to reflect on our programs seperately and impart the knowledge we have both experienced through this time of personal development as well as efficiently help each other with a requirement for graduation.
Lastly, (and I’ll admit I can already see how I will need to keep this in check) I hope to impart a bit of the excitement and enthusiasm for technology that I have now gained through my own experience. Now, I well know that some folks just DO NOT enjoy technology – I can not expect her to either. However, I hope that by providing a learning environment that is comfortable and manageable with a bit of challenge to establish the sense of ownership, I will inspire a bit of technology focused self-directedness in her that will lead to an enhanced interest of what technology has to offer.
I must say, luckily, she is able to use an open source form of web creation like Google Sites to create her portfolio so we won’t be overwhelmed with the complexity of learning/teaching something like Dreamweaver at the same time.
I think this will end up being a great pairing for multiple reasons.
First, we happen to be old friends living about an hour away from each other but who never get together, so the simple fact that we will get to see each other is nice. I’ll note we do have to schedule 1 hour for mentoring and about 2 hours for “Catch-Up Time”.
Secondly, I have now attained a great enough level of technology know-how that navigating a place like Google Sites is quite intuitive. For her, however, it’s still a bit foreign. With this matching I will have the opportunity to reflect on my own learning experience as I guide her to her own level of understanding.
Plainly, it also seems fated that we can each fill such distinct needs for each other as we simultaneously wrap up our Master’s Programs. We will have the opportunity to reflect on our programs seperately and impart the knowledge we have both experienced through this time of personal development as well as efficiently help each other with a requirement for graduation.
Lastly, (and I’ll admit I can already see how I will need to keep this in check) I hope to impart a bit of the excitement and enthusiasm for technology that I have now gained through my own experience. Now, I well know that some folks just DO NOT enjoy technology – I can not expect her to either. However, I hope that by providing a learning environment that is comfortable and manageable with a bit of challenge to establish the sense of ownership, I will inspire a bit of technology focused self-directedness in her that will lead to an enhanced interest of what technology has to offer.
________________________________________
Upon our initial meeting, Jennifer and I reviewed and answered the following questions to help guide our process:
What are your goals for growth in using technology?
Jennifer’s main goal is to become more comfortable and familiar with online technology so she can use it to her advantage when she needs to like applying for jobs.
How do you feel you best learn?
How do you feel you best learn?
Jennifer feels she learns best when she is provided with a collaborative environment where she can try things herself, have someone observe and instruct, and when she can dialogue with someone about the things she’s experiencing. She also likes to be challenged and likes the idea of trying new things so long as she has a resource to go to should she have questions.
What concerns do you have?
What concerns do you have?
Jennifer has no concerns at this time.
How will we communicate if a session needs to be delayed or re-scheduled?
How will we communicate if a session needs to be delayed or re-scheduled?
Jennifer and I will communicate via email or texting when it comes to the scheduling or rescheduling of sessions.
What do you feel should happen at the next session?
What do you feel should happen at the next session?
At our next session Jennifer hopes to work on organizing her portfolio documents in a way that makes them easy to find and upload to her site. She would also like to brainstorm ideas for adding various media to her site ie photos, possibly slideshows, and maybe even mp3 files.
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