I cautioned myself about taking on 3 subjects, a new business, dealing with centrelink for the first time and just dealing with life in general.  I went ahead with MEL not really knowing if I would get it all done. I have spent a lot of time trying to do things that frustrate me.  I considered dropping out before the deadline but discovered that the centrelink that I had just spent many hours applying for requires me to be studying full time so with help from admin I continued with the subject.

These are the reflective diary notes I have made since:

Week 1 was good.
I was advised that I had to go on Centrelink during the 2nd week when I had 2 days at Uni, 2 x 10 hour days of work at my school (Vacation Care), 1 full day with children in my new Family Day Care business plus nights work establishing our accounts system (Harmony Light) and doing enrollment interviews.  My time for study was 2 days on the weekend and nights.  I felt very distracted and then low and behold on the 3rd week I had no internet for 5 days, this created the thoughts of dropping out of MEL.
Week 6 catch up has helped.

17/7/2012
Thanks to the student who cautioned me about dropping back because of centrelink Austudy and thank you to Admin for your help.  Admins support gave me a boost to keep going with this subject.  I know I do have to keep learning ICT if I want to work in Education.

18/7/2012
Spent a couple of hours at Uni doing by blogger and Voki, go some help from other students, feel a bit better about it all.

21/7/2012
I have done bits and pieces of MEL so far but had to get life organised in the end. I really just have to divide what time I have up between the 3 subjects.

24/7/2012
My business is still settling in and Austudy has only just been finalised, now I hope to concentrate on my uni.  I have resigned from my 2nd part time job.  Erin and Larissa made a time to collaborate about the quizzes which got be catching up on that tonight.  I feel very unprepared.  Still have to do a science investigating and my Dad is in for his op tomorrow. If it doesn't rain it pours.  Have orthodontic problem with teeth at present, have to go to dentist soon.

1/8/2012
3 hours at uni spent trying to connect to internet, need to speak with IT next time I am up there. Changed to the Uni computer,  but it wouldnt allow me in to edit my blog.  I tried wordle.  I had help from Sharon and Lyn.  We tried putting it in paint.  Then into the web, highlight, save in computer, back into paint, paste in paint.  I would not do it, nor would Lyn's.  It's now time to go and I have reverted to writing this.  I am really a digital immigrant, but I have learnt a lot in the last 10 years.  I remember it was about 2003 and I did'nt know how to send an email.  As for anything else, all I could do was try to search the internet and write a letter.
If I had a lot more time I would be better at this.

30/8/2012
My stepson showed me how to download a Youtube converter.  I was so grateful.  However after a while I realised that extra add on's appeared and lights were flashing on my tool bar about speed dating.  My computer also seemed to be clogged and was slow.  So after some hours I was able to uninstall and rid of all the new tools.  Oh what a nightmare.

2/8/2012
When I went to collaborate about the quizz with Larissa and Erin and Lyn, I discovered that I had a complete mental block and could not even read the questions, what is this called.  What I did learn was to see how two very capable young girls collaborated together and handle technology as if it was an exciting new car they were driving.  I went home and looked at the quizz practices again and the next time I was much more able to contribute to the collaboration.

9/8/2012
My 13 year old daughter is a great photographer.  She went to the trouble of putting 200 of her beautiful photos of the Sunshine Coast, Hinchinbrook Island and Lady Elliot Island on a USB for me to put on Tag Galaxy.  I have spent several hours trying to do this and have had to say 'STOP' to myself, 'spend no more time on it, get on with your other assignments'.

10/8/2012
Well its been good having a week off uni to get my assignments done and reflect on MEL.  Hopefully I will be able to do some moodle activities for MEL through the week.