one of the masses

My two classes this session (Language & Cognition and Second Language Acquisition) seem so different from last session's Intro to Research and Technology & Literacy. I'm curious if the difference is merely my SELF perception (yes, I'm pulling from Bruner already) being in mixed classes with master students and 2nd and 3rd year PhD students or merely my acquisition to life as one of the masses, a student. Or, is it possible? Could I be nostalgic for my avatar and Second Life? I'm off to virtual reality for awhile. I'll let you know.

Finding Insight! 800/808 Professional Presentations

I LOVED this aspect of our course!!

The Tech & Literacy presentations were my favorite part of the first session.
It was so insightful to have an opportunity to watch everyone present his/her research interests. The material was informative and many of the presentations so engaging! I really got an in depth look at some frameworks and enhanced my understanding of some of those more elusive epistemologies.

What a perfect culminating activity. I only wish we had had the foresight to videotape the presentations. I'm sure they would be loads of fun to watch some evening in three or four years.

Good luck in the next summer session. I'm off now to see my family. Like you all, I've been missing them so much over the last five weeks.

Getting pulled over....on my bike?

I really try to be a good citizen. I cross at crosswalks and never cross against the light. I pay my taxes, albeit on the 15th of April, at midnight. I help little old ladies get their cats out of trees. So, I have to admit, it was more than a little humiliating when an Indiana City police officer pulled me over while I was riding my bicycle...and yes, I had a helmet on.

Merely a few minutes earlier, I had been honked at for entering an intersection waiting to take a left (It is a state law that cars must share the road with bicyclists). I finally did turn left and then riding down Philadelphia Street, I was almost side swiped! Drivers would not leave enough room for me to drive between parked cars and them. So, to protect my life, I took the the sidewalk, and broke the law.

Hence, not even 30 yards on the sidewalk and I couldn't believe that a policeman pulled over, got out, and motioned me to dismount my vehicle. He informed me that it was illegal to ride on the sidewalk. I explained that I would be willing to get back on the road if he could escort me to IUP to ensure my safety. In essence, he didn't appreciate my flip attitude, though I was actually being sincere. He insisted that I remove my vehicle from the sidewalk for the preotection of pedestrians. I looked to my right. I looked to my left. Not one single person was on the sidewalk. To make a long story short, he grudgingly let me go as I grudgingly put my life back in the hands of the drivers of Indiana.