Wow! That was harder than I thought! Of course, it didn't help that the avatar page needed refreshing often!
It's easy to create the page, though! I can see how this would be helpful both at home and at school. I need to learn more about gadgets, as that was something I couldn't "play with" and figure out! I could see setting up places on the blog to post assignments, clarify things that didn't go well in class, or ask questions for students to comment on to carry on a class dialogue (like I did with the wikis last year).
I could also see multiple blogs -- one for the family, if I could get them to read and respond. But this was easy and very cool to set up. Hopefully, I'll learn more about adding audio, etc. so that the blog can be more interesting.
As far as your suggested questions, I really just want to know how to use these technologies to motivate students, especially since I teach the most reluctant, disconnected readers! If I could get them interested and involved, that would be great!
As I go, I know I will think of specific ways that I can use the blog -- and I know the students I have in Practical Literacy would much rather communicate facelessly with me through the blog than in class!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Impressions of Web 2.0 (Thing 1)
I find all of this really interesting -- this business about learners in the 21st century! As a parent-survivor of two very active media mavens, I can relate to alot of the ideas in the video. Both my girls are on their technologies 24-7, with no real editing of their life. They use their iPhones, iPods, phone links in their cars, etc. more than I can describe! I can find out more about what they are doing from their Facebook page than their face-to-face communication! It still baffles me that they will exchange 12 text messages with me rather than just calling when they know I have my phone in my hand!
It only makes sense that this should translate to the classroom! I can remember when I first went to a conference on "cooperative learning" (this was the 80's!) and brought back the information to my building. The teachers were outraged that I thought that kids could learn from other kids! And look where we are now! We are talking about "teaching to think, create, analyze, evaluate and apply", all elements of Bloom's taxonomy, yet we still have teachers who do not attempt to "engage" learners...go figure! It is really clear that our students are much more savvy than we are, especially us old teachers, and use more technology. It only makes sense that we should leverage this interest and skill with technology to get them to use it for more than just chatting up friends. I can envision an online world where even basic education is accomplished from home via technologies. Hopefully, I'll be retired before that happens -- being a teacher of communication skills!
BUT there is always a snag -- and in our case it is the availability of technology. It is amazing to read about schools where this kind of communication with students, parents and teachers is actually happening. Newington is a LONG way from that, not only in the availability of technology, but also in trust and the capacity of its staff in general. But this kind of professional development could help -- if people were more open to it.
I have alot to learn -- but I think I am probably ahead of some since I use alot of technology already! I am looking forward to learning more and thinking about ways to use this kind of technology in my classes more.
It only makes sense that this should translate to the classroom! I can remember when I first went to a conference on "cooperative learning" (this was the 80's!) and brought back the information to my building. The teachers were outraged that I thought that kids could learn from other kids! And look where we are now! We are talking about "teaching to think, create, analyze, evaluate and apply", all elements of Bloom's taxonomy, yet we still have teachers who do not attempt to "engage" learners...go figure! It is really clear that our students are much more savvy than we are, especially us old teachers, and use more technology. It only makes sense that we should leverage this interest and skill with technology to get them to use it for more than just chatting up friends. I can envision an online world where even basic education is accomplished from home via technologies. Hopefully, I'll be retired before that happens -- being a teacher of communication skills!
BUT there is always a snag -- and in our case it is the availability of technology. It is amazing to read about schools where this kind of communication with students, parents and teachers is actually happening. Newington is a LONG way from that, not only in the availability of technology, but also in trust and the capacity of its staff in general. But this kind of professional development could help -- if people were more open to it.
I have alot to learn -- but I think I am probably ahead of some since I use alot of technology already! I am looking forward to learning more and thinking about ways to use this kind of technology in my classes more.
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