Due

My blog was officially 2 years old on 9th November. I was in Oxford at the time and very busy, so I wasn't able to focus on doing a post, so here it is!

2010 has been an incredible year for Janet's Abruzzo Edublog. It has given me a lot of pleasure and I have met so many people and via my sidebar PLN, I have learned so much in the process. Thank you very much to all my readers for viewing my blog. I appreciate it a lot.

This is what I wrote on my first year anniversary called "Uno".

The Menagerie
Apparently, according to the recently introduced Google "Analytics" on my Blogger dashboard, which mysteriously just appeared, my most popular post in my second year of blogging is "Let Sleeping Cat Lie", which I did on the theme of animal idioms, a recurring topic. Incredibly, it has had over 1,200 page views!! As you may know, here in the wilds of Abruzzo, I am surrounded by my menagerie. The animals inspire me constantly to write up posts such as "Chicks'R'us", "And Then There Were Three" and "An Open Letter from Samantha to Valentina".

Here is a new Animoto that I have created:

Sadly, little capon "Al Capone" is no longer with us, as he was eaten by a wild Goshawk a short while ago. Life moves on, and I am now in the process of preparing myself for the arrival of a multi-coloured cockerel that will be named "Fred". Ever since I bought this Cockerel mug and coaster set, I have wanted to buy a similar looking chick. I would like to train him to wake me up at 6.45am on the dot! We haven't bought him yet, but it's good to imagine what he will be like......

Key Events
On a more serious note, in my second year I have reflected and given feedback on the live webinars that I have presented at, which include the Reform Symposium and 3rd Virtual Round Table conference. Both these online conferences were truly fantastic, and they were skilfully organised.

I have written book reviews on Moodle for Packt Publishing:Moodle 1.9 for Second Language Teaching, Moodle 1.9 Teaching Techniques, and Moodle 1.9 Theme Design :Beginner's Guide. I am currently finishing off my latest review on Moodle 1.9: The English Teacher's Cookbook.

I also enjoyed writing a book review of the wonderful "Zen and the Act of Teaching" by David Deubelbeiss.

Lifelong Learning
Why do I write my blog? Well, it is a learning diary, a place to keep all my ideas and emerging lessons, a place for feedback on what I have learned, a place to share new ideas, a place to keep everything under one roof, so to speak. I also write it to give encouragement to teachers who may not already have a blog, but who are tentatively thinking of starting one.

I never thought it would lead me to where I am today, but it has. It has completely revolutionised my way of life and I am very happy as a result. It has also made me a much better teacher and most importantly of all, it has allowed me to keep up to date with this new, fast evolving era of digital technology. Can you believe I was a technophobe just 2 short years ago?

However, I have to add, the image of the blackboard below is there to remind me that all will not be lost if technology were to let me down. Give me a basic board and a pen and I would be able to deliver my lessons, in the "Unplugged Way". You may like to read this fabulous series on the Dogme Blog Challenge by Karenne Sylvester on Kalinago English blog.

Education Needs Reflective Educators
A terrific new educational initiative has just been set up by Shelly Terrell and Gret Sandler in the shape of a Blogs 4 Edu wiki. "Education Needs Reflective Educators" is intended to help all new bloggers and existing bloggers to help spread the word. As Gret says, "Blogging is a great way to share what is happening in every classroom". Please do read through both blog posts and I hope they will inspire you to start a blog!!

I am thrilled and feel privileged to be currently tutoring online for the Consultants-E and proofreading for Macmillan. At the same time, I can stay at home and tend to my olive trees, my plants, check up on Samantha and co, and write my blog and tweet. I really couldn't ask for more.

I will leave you with a fabulous image taken by K in our garden. The thousands of starlings were flying over the olive trees and K was able to take this amazing shot. This is what life in Abruzzo is all about.

Coming soon!
Feedback from TESOL Italy
Back to the Grove
Moodle book review