hodge-podge (WiZiQ, a good book, more)
Hello to all readers.
Well, this morning I’m experiencing an odd clash of emotions. I’ve been using WiZiQ (http://wiziq.com) for some months now, with as many students and friends as I’ve been able to convince to try it.
I have scheduled sporadic chats on WiZiQ and invited many prior students, colleagues, others to join me to ‘play’ and experiment with WiZiQ.
I have used my passionate enthusiasm. I’ve used screenshots and created detailed tutorials for how to register on WiZiQ.
Earlier this morning, I had a chat scheduled for one and a half hours.
I had invited over 50 people to join me in WiZiQ.
I sent reminders (short and hopefully friendly reminders).
There were indications from a few folks that they would try to join in.
But, no one joined me. It was a lonely hour and a half.
~ ~ ~
I am disappointed. BUT, I am still smiling, because I’ve learned that it takes time… that it’s not (necessarily) “me” that’s the problem. There are SO many possible reasons for people not joining me:
technology-wise: New things are intimidating! Learning without face-to-face help/guidance is an extra challenge. For some, dial-up connections, the lack of a headset, not used to chats of any kind, and more — might be factors.
ESOL complications: For most of the invitees, English was not their first language! So, on top of the technology torment, there is the very real anxiety element of communicating in new technology language and second/other language (English) as well! Add to that the fact that many of the invitees have never met each other, and there’s a third challenge!
time-wise: I scheduled a time when I hoped that folks from other continents might be able to join in — but making things convenient for them meant a morning time here. Many of the invitees have told me they are NOT ‘morning people’ — and so 8:30 on a Saturday morning means that I will not see them on WiZiQ.
I am an optimist, an idealist. I will continue to strive to get more people excited about technology. I will continue to learn from others who are so much more aware and proficient at technology skills than I am. I will continue to schedule practice WiZiQs and continue to invite students (current and former). Whenever possible, I will provide hands-on tutorials (face-to-face, side-by-side demonstrations), so that when the ‘next’ WiZiQ is scheduled, more students will be willing to try it.
I will continue to dream of the time when I land or create a position where I’m able to reach larger groups of students, in small group settings, to excite more people to the potential and positives of technological tools. These tools, I emphatically believe, can make language learning and culture-sharing more meaningful and rewarding.
~ ~ ~
And, while I was waiting, hoping that others would join me, I finished reading a book! The book is one I picked up from the “NEW BOOKS!” shelf of a local library branch — and am so glad I did! I began it Thursday afternoon and finished it this morning! The setting of the book is familiar territory — Charlottesville, VA and the ‘valley’ area nearby. many of the places mentioned are familiar to me. The author, Jason F. Wright, has another bestseller I must read (title: Christmas Jars), but the one I just finished is The Wednesday Letters.
As a writer, I love this concept of “Wednesday Letters.” A character in the book writes letters to his wife every Wednesday of their lives together — decades of Wednesday letters. Some are written on napkins, some on index cards, some typed, etc.
Family secrets, forgiveness, anguish, joy, love, steadfastness – and more — are themes in this book.
There are faults I could find with the book — but also much I admire. I am going to try and get my husband to read this book, and see if we can follow the tradition – of a weekly write to each other (via email or handwrite or otherwise)… wow… when I think of what it might reveal. And I like the thought of trying to write to Amber (our daughter) every week, too. We communicate often by phone or email — so I feel as if I have done this to some extent. But what if I had done so since she was born? And then left them for her to discover when she was ____?____ age? wow… It is difficult to share deep thoughts. But what power in the sharing!
Anyway! I recommend this book: The Wednesday Letters, by Jason F. Wright (2007).
It does remind me of the loss, the ache, of having lost all my journals and cherished letters from years past [lost nearly two years ago, August 10, 2006, in our house fire] — I did so enjoy reading, re-reading things I’d written — I have learned a lot about myself from rereading the authentic voice of my past. I had saved every letter received from personal acquaintances since I was 12 years old — all now lost… I had hoped to use them to help me add authenticity to a book (or books) I hope to publish someday.
Enough for today!
