Month: January 2017

GEDI 2017 – Name Stories

What is the story behind your name?

Name: Qualla Jo

Who came up with it: Both my parents I believe, but I suspect my father had the most influence on it.
Meaning, significance and story: My parents named both my brother and I after a person and a place. I am named Qualla after the Qualla Boundary which is the area in which the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians currently lives in western North Carolina. I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Qualla is also where we lived before the Trail of Tears.  Jo is my paternal grandmother’s first name and so I became Qualla Jo.

Welcome – First Blogging Prompt

Dear GEDI’s! I write in great anticipation of meeting you all in person this evening. I am eager to get to know you and to begin a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and collaborative inquiry that will take us not just through the end of the semester, but, if we do it right, far far beyond (perhaps to a galaxy far, far away….).

Once we’ve made introductions and worked through the logistical details, we will talk a bit about connected learning and how we will use the network in this course. After all of that, I hope the following will give you some guidance and inspiration as you set up your blog and formulate your first post:

Blogging guidelines for week one:

Everything is on the table as long as it engages the readings for next week and /or the topic of networked learning. You might want to respond to the readings in the context of the discussion we shared this evening.

You might want to reflect on your current understanding of pedagogy — connected or otherwise — knowing that this might change. Whatever approach you take, know that it will be fine, and that your colleagues will be attentive, interested readers.

Bonus Force Points:

Check out and play with Hypothes.is, an amazingly powerful web annotating tool.

Double Bonus Points:

Read and maybe even add to the Hypothes.is conversation about Gardner Campbell’s article on Networked Learning as Experiential Learning. (If you’re looking for me, my screen name in Hypothes.is is “Laika57”.)

“I find that answer vague and unconvincing” ~ K-2SO, Rogue One

There are times when we are confused,

There are times when we are unsure.

There are times when we do not believe,

And there are times when we are not convinced.

You will find during the course of the semester that we are discussing various concepts that may bewilder you. Some you may agree and some disagree with. Sometimes you may be frustrated for not getting a straight answer and other times understanding may just slip from your grasp. It is imperative however that you trust the process of this experience and emerge yourself in teaching and learning with the GEDI team. Eventually, emerges new meaning, understanding and insight…..

…..granted it will be at the end of the semester, but I promise it will.

Welcome to GEDI Spring 2017!


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