Why "QUEST Quarry"?

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When considering a name for my blog I had to look at how might I use this in my job.  The gifted program in my school system is titled "QUEST" which stands for Questioning, Understanding, Enriching, Seeking, Thinking.  I plan to create a parent support group for my QUEST students in the upcoming school year and I would like to use Blogger as a way to communicate and update the parents about the QUEST program.  I wanted a "catchy" title or a play on words to use in my title.  I know that "quarry" could refer to prey or something hunted as well as a place of excavation.  I think both definitions could justifiy being used in the title as explained by the QUEST title.  Students are encouraged to search  or hunt for and uncover answers and understanding while the teacher serves as the facilitator.  I see Blogger being advantageous for me as a way to create advocacy for my students.  A common myth concerning gifted students is that they don't need any additional help and for this reason gifted students are often overlooked when it comes to funding and the meeting of social and emotional needs.  Using Blogger to inform parents of needs such as classroom supplies, fieldtrip chaperones and Open Houses will put my students at the forefront.   Another advantage of using Google Blogger is that I can do this from home.  My school day is full and I might not find the time to update my blogspot while at school.  The main hurdle I will have to overcome is actually providing training for parents who have not used this tool before.  Some parents may already use Blogger but for others this will be new territory.  Will I be comfortable enough by August to actually present to others what I have learned in this course?

Something Old, Something New

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in her shoe."  Many will recognize this simple poem as the bride's mantra of things to carry on her wedding day so that her marriage will be a success.  Surprisingly, these same lines fit well with the 21st Centry Administrator's use of Google Blogger.  First, something old.  Traditionally, the "old" represented something  from the bride's family that suggested continuity.  For many brides, the old might be her mother's pearl necklace or a grandmother's lace handkerchief.  For administrators using Blogger, the old might just be the ease and familiarity of using a simple word processing program to create the blog posts.   The continuity of being able to use a program without having to learn anything new will help decrease reservations about trying something new.  For brides, "something new" symbolized optimism or hope.  The fact that administrators and teachers are willing to embrace new technology is a source of hope for all educators.  We live in a fast-paced, technology filled world.  Our students' technological merit is often far beyond our own technology savvy..  Administrators can be optimistic for the options of informing staff, parents, students and the community about what is going on in the school.  "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.  Bloggers can "borrow" good ideas from other administrators and schools.  Blogging is a real time way of sharing between all stakeholders in the educational community.  Color has long been associated with  weddings.  The color blue used in weddings signifies fidelity, purity, or modesty.  As administrators communicate with faculty, parents, and other administrators, every effort should be made to share intelligently.  As Dr. Scott McLeod noted, the "transparency" of blogging is an appealing feature because stakeholders increase their confidence and satisfaction with the school.  Maybe blue isn't your favorite color, but it should be a symbolic base for blog posts.  Finally, the issue of the sixpence.  Technically, the silver sixpence indicates a wish of wealth for the bride or a wish of  good luck.  For the 21st Century Administrator, the sixpence can be viewed in these same two ways. First, on the issue of wealth, Blogger is free.  This might be an answer to budgetary woes for administrators wishing to correspond with teachers and parents.  Secondly, a wish for success in using Blogger as an effective way of communicating.  Good Luck!