10-Rep Learning ~ Teague's Tech Treks

Learning Technology & Tech Observations by Dr. Helen Teague

By

Gardening for Academic Growth ~ Lavender

Another course is about to end. Graduate students are busy with final edits to projects, final questions, final harvesting of resources.

This course was my “Lavender course.” I planted Lavender bunches to replace the lavender that had been lost in the Texas snow storm- (aka “Snow-mageddon”). 

Several weeks later, I am happy to report that the lavender has been through a lot and is trying to hold on after unexpected weather. First, record rain storms dumped three inches of rain on the little lavender plants. The little lavender plant became water-logged. The remnant went through soil drainage and new soil additions. 

Lavender water-logged

Then, there was a week of unexpected temperatures in the high 90’s where some of its leaves dried and burned and the thin, tall stems snapped. 

Yet, some of the lavender remained. 

Lavendar sprouts

This week, the lavender keeps holding on, through another weather system of sudden rain. No matter what the abrupt circumstances that seem to always greet it there are a few purple blossoms left hanging on and leaving the faintest scent in the garden.

The lavender is a study in resilience– kind of reminds me of the students in this class! So many had to pivot and adapt abruptly. Many more continue to do adjust to so many new and extra demands.

There is not one graduate student who is teaching the same environment as they were in 2019. 

Not one.

Some of these students are about to wrap up a second year of unprecedented change. They have been expected to pivot with short lead-times or non-existent lead times (I wonder how their administrations can arbitrarily continue to hoist these demands on them).

Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy. The fragrance from the oils of the lavender plant is believed to help promote calmness and wellness. It’s also said to help reduce stress, anxiety, and possibly even mild pain.” ~ Healthline, What lavender can do for you. 

 

I’m grateful for the privilege of learning from you and with these course warriors! 

 


Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

By

Gardening for Academic Growth -Puttering

My little porch garden is turning into a fun hobby for me…The metaphors for growth and change in the garden match the growth and change in the graduate students as their concept mastery and rich collaborative learning experience “grows.”

There is value, too, in “puttering” through fun and easy tasks.

“Puttering renews the souls and inspires creativity,” writes Eudora Seyfer in her blog post “The joys of puttering.”  It feels good to putter through the growing garden space.

These November days are alternately cool and warm, as if the sun and sky are in a competition for seasonal control.

 

 

 

Photo collage made with PicMonkey

 

Reference

Seyfer, E. (2017). The joys of puttering. CSMoniter. https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0823/p18s02-hfes.html


Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

By

Gardening for Academic Growth – Late Summer

My little porch garden is turning into a fun hobby for me…The metaphors for growth and change in the garden match the growth and change in the students as their concept mastery and rich collaborative learning experience “grows.”

Summer is a challenge for teacher-educator-gardeners. Plants have to be hearty to survive the heat here in Texas and the dusty winds. Chives are hearty and can take the heat. The basil grows weakly. The oregano has deep roots in its container.

Some of my grad students are resilient. They weather any storm, even the pandemic which lingers through canceled summer school. Some of my graduate students are tutoring their students despite a lack of pay. Others are setting up “pod” schools. Another gifted teacher is moving to another state to teach in a classical, charter school that has announced that school will open and return to face-to-face instruction in the Fall.

These teachers are brave!

ButterflyFlutterHelenTeague

 

Resilience by Jeada Dewalt

 

 

 


Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

By

Gardening for Academic Growth – Seneca was Right

In little rows, just like student desks, the new garden plants get used to their new surroundings. I chose varieties that would be the least likely to perish. This include geraniums, basil, parsley and chives. The basil was the one I second-guessed the most. The two professionals at the nursery were divided on basil’s ability to grow outside.

This is the first Spring Break during the lockdowns. Some of my graduate students found out with one day’s notice that after Spring Break, they are to “teach from home.” Home is an insecure concept for some teachers and their students.

Seneca on Beginnings

 

 

 


 

Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

By

Gardening for Academic Growth – It begins

Over the years, my advice to students remains … “Set a schedule for your work.”

Here is the little patch of yard I have cleared for the little garden.

There is a bit more weeds and leaves to clear.

The clearing away reminds me of my F2F classrooms and my online course spaces.

There are always detritus to clear and things to clean left over from others.

The only exception has been at PBS TeacherLine/PBS Learning Media.

Francine and Reed are tech and educational wizards. Each course arrives from a Master Course that we as course facilitators approve.

Because of Francine and Reed, we can focus on teaching, guiding, responding, instead of “administrivia” of course bureacracy.

 

This is the “Before” photo. I hope the “After” photos will be green and “planti-ful!”

Garden Before with Ruby
The “Before” photo of the little garden, with Ruby the Wonder Dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

By

Gardening for Academic Growth – Aspiration

Welcome to Gardening for Academic Growth

This is a new category and series of occassional posts. The March lockdowns and “14 Days to Stop the Curve” have reached our little corner of the world. While working exclusively from home now, this little project will have time to begin and with hope, flourish.

It will also help with my pre-course routines for the online graduate courses that I teach for the best, dedicated graduate student-educators!

Perhaps the gardening activity and the metaphor for intellectual growth will become sustainable.

Singapore Botanic Garden Teague

Not my garden… yet….    🙂

 

 

 


Click here for more posts about Gardening for Academic Growth

Skip to toolbar