Online Communities

I belong to Facebook as do millions of other people around the world.  Facebook allows me to interact with family and friends and with my occupation it is great resource to get in touch with people instantly.  I would say that I use Facebook as it was created, as means of social interaction with friends and family.

The next online community that I have used are blogs.  Each time I deployed overseas, our platoon and company used a blog to update families.  We would post pictures and that had positive feedback.  I would say that the majority of my time spent on blogging is sports related.  I am a staunch San Diego Chargers fan (you probably could tell by my background).  Bolts from the Blue and Bolt Hype are just a few of the blogging sites that according wife “occupy” my time.  In my defense, everyone needs an outlet and when the Bolts are not doing well, the blogging sites are my outlet to share and exchange ideas/opinions with other passionate Charger fans!

I also belong to a Marine Corps online community.  Through the Marine Times, I am able to answer questions via You Tube on the latest and greatest topics that the Corps is facing.

Blog 1 Topic

I am not a school teacher however, I do implement technology into classes for my Marines.   I believe there is a correlation between the nature of adopting technology in a school classroom and in a military classroom.  The students are really receptive to technology and respond well to Smart Board instruction.  In general, Marines have commented to me that incorporating technology such as Smart Board, YouTube videos, and computer based programs break up the monotony of the classroom.  There are some barriers when introducing technology to students.  Not every instructor is versed with technology and some prefer a lecture based presentation versus an interactive presentation.  To alleviate the teacher barrier, a technology overview and practical application could be implemented for all instructors.  This would allow instructors to become familiar and confident with basic technology.  Additionally, a mentor who is proficient with technology should be assigned to each instructor.   Funding is another barrier that affects the adoption of technology within the classroom.  Resources require funding and it is up to the individual command to purchase educational technology to incorporate in the classroom.  This constraint is difficult to alleviate because it is up to the commander to decide how he/she will allocate money. 

A little more about me

Hello, My name is Will Kerrigan and I currently reside in Fort Monroe, Virginia.  I am pursuing a M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Online Instruction, through Liberty University. I am a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and carry 4 deployments under my belt since my commissioning in the Spring of 2005. My deployments have consisted of two tours to Iraq, a quick pump to Cuba last summer, and most recently a tour to Bahrain. Through my career with the Corps I have developed a passion for traveling.

My wife Rae shares the same passion for traveling as I do. We have set our goals and have created a list of places we would like to visit and see in our lifetime, everything from the Vatican to Bora Bora. We have been so blessed to have visited several other countries since our marriage in June 2009 and to date our favorite destination is Costa Rica. Costa Rica is dear to my heart in the sense that my mother was born and raised there and left for the United States at the age of nine. It was a wonderful experience to be able to share with my wife apart of my family history and to introduce her to some distant family members.

I am a google user.  I have an Android smart phone and the Motorola Xoom tablet.  My wife loves Apple products and she is trying to convince me to see the "light."  Right now I enjoy google technology.

v/r

Will