I was considering writing a post about 2010 for some time; especially after what I read some truly inspiring posts lately. Don’t get me wrong, I have no intention to copy their ideas! Actually, I feel I am moving a bit after a year of blogging. Well, I am not a kind of person who easily shares personal thoughts and feelings (I take my time in a real world and the same applies to cyberspace). That’s why I so deeply appreciate and enjoy reading personal stories of my fellow teachers. Yet, there is a new year and I suddenly feel I could share a bit as well. I think that’s just fair!
I have never had a personal diary or journal, never ever had a need to keep one. With my blog, I am not planning to change that! I keep blogging so that I save some paper and de-clutter my desk. My main intention is to store some of my teaching ideas so that I (and hopefully some other people too) can find them easily when needed. I try to blog mainly about really short activities and ideas for classroom – something more or less adaptable for any level or class.
The first change came few days before Christmas (and definitely, it was not a nightmare) when Anna wrote a guest post for me – so great! She enriched my blog with ideas I was not familiar with – drama, and still keeping in mind my intention to blog about warmers/fillers. And now this post! I must admit, I love the way it works and develops – the world of blogging, tweeting, chatting (with purpose). It’s really dynamic and often surprising world.
That’s why I have difficulties to understand the reasons why some people are so against any form of what we here call online professional development. When I had a workshop at my school about it, the most common reason for denial was that they are not very good at or experienced with using technologies. I certainly wouldn’t call myself experienced either! Yet, I like learning new things…which is to certain degree what makes a good teacher. Beside that…come on people, we are in the 21st century! We should do something more than make students open their books and follow the instructions there. And maybe then, we would not have to blame kids for their lack of concentration, motivation and enthusiasm. It’s not in the age of the student! I am student as well and can say when the lessons are good or not. Well, then there is the excuse “I don’t have time for that”. What can I say to that? I believe you can do as much as you really want (anyway, nobody claims you have to start living a whole new life in cyberspace). Anyway, there is always someone willing to help you out! There are so many amazing people out there.
All I can add to this is what I gained in 2010 mainly because of connecting with fabulous people at Twitter, blogs or chats.
Reading all those blogs, activities, collaborating with other teachers, learning from them, sharing ideas, finding support and comfort when going through difficult time…all that made me want to work on myself as a teacher even more, learn more, experiment , explore and play more… what a wonderful life!

“Nothing is waste of time if you can use the experience wisely.” Rodin