The End of a Beginning
I find it only fitting to make my first truly official blog post a somewhat imploding, inward spiraling discussion about blog posts. Somehow that seems like literary cannibalism, but don’t quote me on that.
I seriously had an incredible time building this blog. I wish there was some way I could have captured each step and created a very cool time-lapse video like that guy did of his wife every day she was pregnant. I guess the effect wouldn’t have been quite as dramatic. It’s just pretty astounding to look back at my experience and realize how much I learned about how I learn through this process.
So I began this experiment with the thought that I would establish a professional blog for reflecting and connecting with my colleagues in a field at which I am very new. I’ve been quite invested in the field of education for many years now, but it’s the educational technology leadership role that’s so fresh. I have so many ideas and so many things I’m itching to try, but I have to find the self-control to reign that all in and take things in the order in which they’re meant to be taken. That’s going to be a learning experience all on its own.
I started all this with an idea and an absolute lack of any semblance of a single web development skill. I ended up with a product I’m very proud of, and I got here through trial and error, much research, several very near misses at controlling expletives, and an enormous amount of help from a very good friend. Looking over that list, I think it’s a pretty accurate summary of the learning process, controlling expletives not withstanding. How I got to the end of my beginning is something I need to keep right at the front of my brain, so I can offer this same experience to the teachers I teach, and especially to the students who those teachers will teach.
I won’t go on anymore about this, other than to say, if you’re at all interested in how I somehow managed to get from this to where I am now, I’d love to talk it over with you. I will say, at the end of your beginning, you’ll likely look back and say it wouldn’t have happened without help. Isn’t that what makes living in today’s world so amazing? Our sense of community is growing, and I hope you and I can be an active part of that.
Thanks to Mely-O for the Flickr image.
2 Comments
sylvia martinez
August 11, 2008Building stuff is fun, isn’t it! Good luck on this new phase, I’m sure it will be enlightening as well.
Theresa
August 12, 2008Hi Ben,
I know you just got started, but already I’m enjoying how you’re using Apture. In terms of both content and design, I think its a perfect complement to your article. Please let me know if you have feedback or suggestions for us. We’d love to hear from you.
Cheers,
Theresa and the Apture Team