Day Three Finally Over

Well, I don't know when I have felt so frustrated using the computer, probably not since my first experience using a PC in the mid 90s. Believe me it is NOT due to the instruction, the handouts, or my wonderful classmates. I would never have made it through the day if it had not been for Paul, Charlie, Kate and Jack. Each one helped me retain the minimal sanity I still had when I walked out of class.

So today was Podcasting. I really want to learn more about this because I think that this is one format that I will use often with the MSJ parents as their liaison. I plan on recording my monthly newsletter article in a Podcast on the school website . Our president and principal already do theirs this way (with the help of Paul). I think many parents would like to "hear" the information. Also, there are so many questions that parents have about the details of campus events that a podcast could provide in an easy method. It can reach lots of parents easily and often replace multiple phone calls I receive requesting the same information. This will be another valuable communication tool for me.

Why was I so FRUSTRATED?
So the source of the my angst was two fold: first, my computer's microphone setting reverted back to MUTE while I was attempting to play back my Audacity recording (which was actual recorded) and secondly, Tribal Shout would not recognize my gmail account. Oh, did I say account? I mean accounts! I must have registered about 8 new accounts. The problem was I did not receive the confirmation e-mail and it would not recognize my login in and password. It just did not work.

Also, at the end of the day (after about almost 2 hours trying to connect) when I finally succeeded and got into Tribal Shout, I discovered that I had only copied a shortcut to my recording onto my jump drive. At that point enough was enough and it was time to call it quits.

So will I return tomorrow? YES. I know that it will be a better day. I guess I learned that technology doesn't always work and that if I experience this frustration, others will too at some time or another. MOST importantly I learned that I'm blessed with a wonderful instructor, Paul Kellermann, and that his "new teacher assistant" Calvert Hall Charlie has a heart of gold and a mountain of patience.

Personally, I did not like the person I became as the frustration mounted. I do know that, as Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind said, "Tomorrow is another day!"

*I am thrilled for everyone's success (Kate and Jack--thanks for putting up with me as your computer neighbor).