End of the World or well this course

   Many analogies come to mind when describing this  Lamar course, a journey, coming of age, a  battle, but none quite fit, thank goodness because they are all very bad examples.  The experience has been beneficial however.  Beginning this course, I knew I needed a plan at some point in the somewhat distant future and had a vague idea or two of what I thought I wanted to do and then found I suddenly need a full blown, action packed, clear-cut, angels singing inspired PLAN.  It was too soon for me, and I felt myself drowning in doubt, mired in quicksand of apprehension and feeling the timidity of my feeble little, vague ideas.  I began week one assignment with trepidation.  I found that as I progressed my little ideas coalesced into bigger ideas, and I was able to formulate an action research plan using the templates, recommendations and ideas from the readings.  As a whole, the course guided step-by-step through the process and allowed me to pull my plan together into a cohesive project without panicking too much.  I would say the web conferences were extremely valuable sources of information and very appreciated for the time given and patience in answering all the repeated questions. All in all, I would say the facebook group has been a real lifesaver! I have been steadily tweaking the plan, paring it down, scaling it down.  I feel much less like hyperventilating.  The Mayans may have predicted the end of the world, but with the end of this course I see more of a life.  Beginning this action research plan - the new and improved plan will be much easier. I still need to change it on paper, but it is more manageable.  I have also learned through the self-reflection and feed back from the blogs, discussion groups, facebook how much that validation has become.  I have become a student again after, well, 1/4 of a century? While I always felt I was supportive of my students, I think I am more emphatic to their need for validation.  I also do not underestimate the power of social media.  I have tried to start social media support for the classroom before, but will renew my efforts again!