The next steps in Domain Camp have been a challenge. The main activity was to create a landing page. In the activity it was described as a calling card. If you made it to this blog it is possible that you came via my landing page. If you did not come via my landing page then have a look at https://cupofteaching.ca.

Technical Things I am Learning

The activities I have learned to do in Week 2 and Week 3 are:

• Set up a domain
• Upload a WordPress Blog
• Create subdomains
• Create a Landing Page
• Create a SPLOT – there is some ambiguity about what that actually is. My perception is it is a place to create collections.
• Create an email and forward to another email

I am still unsure if I am completely happy with my Landing Page. A few times as I see other camper’s landing pages I wish I had chosen differently. At the same time, setting up the landing page was challenging and required assistance from my counsellor so I am reluctant to start the process again. I want to keep up with the other campers.

What I am Learning about Myself as Learner

Aside from all the cool technical things I am learning about setting up a domain I am learning lots of things about myself as a learner. I am being reminded of how challenging it can be learn something new, feel like a newbie, and to be uncertain that I am making the correct decisions. These are lessons that I will remember in September when I am back in the classroom.

Examples that I can Relate to with My Students

I was given feedback (from my counsellor) that I read and could have helped with next activities. However, by the time I got back to the activities, I had forgotten what the feedback said. So, I asked the question again. I can tell you that often when students ask me questions I wonder have they read my feedback? My experience with this activity reminds me that sometimes students will get stuck in the process and may forget the answers are in the feedback. I need to be as patient as Counsellor Alan has been with me.

I perceive that at every step in the instructions I have to do things multiple times. This is time consuming and so when I see that another camper has done something cool with their domain as much as I would like to try again, I have to consider how much time I want to invest. My other thought is… I do not want anyone to think I am copying (plagiarizing) their work.

Upon reflection, I wonder that (on occasion) when my students plagiarize a co-student’s work (through acts like sharing files) what is their motivation? Is it a lack of time, or wanting to produce something better, and are they emulating what a co-student has done? I must remember to build in opportunities for students to learn from each other as well as produce their own versions.

You may be wondering what domain camp, teaching and tea have in common. This is week two of domain camp. I am learning to build a domain of my own. I am a straight-up newbie when it comes to building a domain.

Every summer I like learn something new and that I find challenging. This is a way to remember what it is like to be a newbie. It is important to remain empathetic to my learners by remembering what it is like to learn something new.

Week one at camp I succeeded in feeling like a newbie. I managed to freeze up my domain on day one. I was wondering if this was over my head. I am sure my students feel the same way in the first few weeks of school. However, Alan Levine and Terry Greene are awesome camp counsellors and so with their support and the newbies corner at reclaim hosting I was back on track.

An interesting thing occurred when I asked a question at the newbies corner. I was introduced to discobot. We had a few exchanges, I was engaged in learning how to use the discussion board effectively, and then I was given a giph and a participation certificate. This gaming tool was interactive, fun, and before I knew it I wanted to learn more. A lesson I will take to the classroom. When people are feeling overwhelmed interject something fun!