New Tricks...

Just when I think I'm "getting" school, I have the week I've had. 95% of the time, I love sitting in class talking and listening about exciting new topics. I know that I will go back to teaching energized with all of this fresh, new knowledge. Every now and then, however, I have a week like this, where I am pushed beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I know that it is a good thing, which is why I am here, but the process is painful.

I had to lead a three hour discussion in one seminar this week and the articles I had to read, digest, and teach back to my classmates were a bit dense for me. It took me several readings of just three articles to get the gist of them. 57 power point slides later (no, I did not make my classmates sit through all of them!), I was able to finally make my way through the topic and lead a coherent and even lively discussion. It made me appreciate the mentoring model of teaching in a PhD program. My professor knew my frustration, but encouraged me on anyway. I am much better for going through it all. More new tricks to add to my bag...

Study where you can...

This weekend, my daughter had to go back to Winston-Salem (where we moved from) to attend a birthday party. We arrived in town early (long story) and so I asked the kids what they wanted to do now that they were back in their old stomping grounds. I'm thinking they might like to go to Old Salem or their favorite bookstore or something nostalgic. Instead, they wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese. Normally, that would not be my first choice, but since I had a bit of reading to do for my classes this week, I obligued them. When you are getting a PhD with two kids, you have to take your reading time when you get it. They had a ball and I got lots of reading done. Win/Win for everyone!

More great speakers at UNC...

Yesterday was a boon to we grad students: two great speakers in one day! In my blogging class, we had Brian Russell, founder of audioactivism.org come to talk about podcasting. As you can hear from Brian's podcasts, he has a passion for activism and media literacy. We are even luckier that Brian is now an employee in the J-School.

In my Human Computer interaction class, Dr. Shyam Sundar from Penn State came to talk about his work on agency in on-line communications. Dr. Sundar's research record is astounding. It was amazing to hear someone of his stature in our small class of seven.

It is interesting to have both of these classes at the same time.

The Internet and Everyday Life...

We are reading this book by Wellman (Editor) & Haythornthwaite (Editor). So far, we have considered the role of the internet in relation to our off-line life. The editors make the point that both must be considered when studying on-line activity, and I agree. There are times that my off-line life actually dictates what I do or do not do on-line. For instance, I prefer to do my grocery-shopping on-line because it saves me time and is more convenient. In addition, I do most of our family's apparel shopping on-line for the same reasons. In these days of studying and car-pooling, time is precious. The internet helps me to be more efficient with my time.

Do you think my computer (or yours) is a social actor?

In my human-computer interaction class, we are reading the latest research on this subject. The definitive studies came out of a book called, "The Media Equation" by Reeves & Nass (available on amazon.com) which showed that people actually do interact with computers as if they are another human (or social actor). Amazing--we love the praise we get from computers--we prefer male to female named computers, and we prefer not to hurt our computer's feelings (I didn't know mine had any!). For those of us on our computers all day long, this is important to consider. Maybe I should name my laptop Betsy or Bob. Come to think of it, I should name her Emma. My daughter, Maggie, has always wanted a baby sister named Emma--this should do the trick!

The end is near...

I just spent time with my adviser today to review my course choices for next spring. It is time to register for my final coursework and I feel like I just got here. Time flies when you are having fun, and working your butt off (oh yes, and taking care of two cute, but exhausting children). I wouldn't change it for the world (well, maybe I would try to find more "thinking" time).

Great opportunities at UNC...

This morning, in my blogging class, we are priviliged to have as a guest speaker, Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia. As I was reading through his interview with C-Span last night, it was inspiring to read about his vision and enthusiasm for the wiki-world he has created. I am very excited about class this morning. Details later...

Happy Birthdays, Kids...

This is a crazy week in our house. Jack's birthday is 9/28 and Maggie's is 9/29. They have presents coming in all week long, so their birthdays last for at least one entire week--maybe more.

This is a picture of my kid-lings from their fun at Dolphin Quest, which we highly recommend, for children and/or adults. They had a great time.