Oh the fun I've had today working with David Jakes in our Web2.0 workshop! Today was the day everything started to fall into place for me.
See, I'm the type of person who needs to have time to "play" on the computer with any new tool that I have. And today was the day. In one day, I'm happy to say, I've completed a wiki page for my classroom, and used Flickr and Photostory to create an introductory video for my geography class.
Now, to some that may be nothing, but for me it's exciting.
My question is: What are some ways to use these tools in the classroom?
I have some of my own ideas, but I'd like to throw that out there for some good, oldfashioned brainstorming.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Three Things I Have Learned in Web2.0
Ideas are running rampant! What are three things I have learned in the past three days in regards to Web2.0?
I guess I'd have to say:
1.) There is sooooo much more out there for us to use as far as how to connect to students and getting students to connect with others using technology.
2.) There are options out there to enhance (but not replace) traditional learning techniques.
3.) I can see how people can get addicted to all the tools, but it tends to give me a headache (information overload!!!!)
What would I still like to learn about? Digital Storytelling; how to effectively use a wiki (still struggeling with that one); how to explain all of this to others who may not be as schooled in using technology in the classroom.
Can these questions be addressed in this workshop? Maybe/maybe not. However, I am the type of person who tends to NOT jump in with both feet... let me "process" the information and the answers will come to me.
I guess I'd have to say:
1.) There is sooooo much more out there for us to use as far as how to connect to students and getting students to connect with others using technology.
2.) There are options out there to enhance (but not replace) traditional learning techniques.
3.) I can see how people can get addicted to all the tools, but it tends to give me a headache (information overload!!!!)
What would I still like to learn about? Digital Storytelling; how to effectively use a wiki (still struggeling with that one); how to explain all of this to others who may not be as schooled in using technology in the classroom.
Can these questions be addressed in this workshop? Maybe/maybe not. However, I am the type of person who tends to NOT jump in with both feet... let me "process" the information and the answers will come to me.
Summer Is Winding Down
Can you believe that it is already August 8? In exactly one week, the staff at my school will be reporting back for duties. Meetings, home visits, training, looking at new curriculum- so much to do before the students come back.
Are you ready? If you're like me, the excitement of returning to school usually hits after the first faculty meeting. Ideas start swimming around in my head about bulletin board designs, what new activities can I use with my students this year, and so on.
One of the benefits of taking a class or workshop during the summer is the opportunity to meet educators from other schools and districts. Talk about a brainstorming and sharing bonanza! Then again, you have to say to yourself, "Now what can I take back with me to adapt and use in my classroom?" This is what I'm experiencing this week as I sit through my Web2.0 workshop. What a blessing to be able to have the ability to openly share with others in you professional field.
Wherever you are in your preparations for returning back to school, I hope you take some time and reflect back on your "recharging" summer and become enthused about your school year to come.
Are you ready? If you're like me, the excitement of returning to school usually hits after the first faculty meeting. Ideas start swimming around in my head about bulletin board designs, what new activities can I use with my students this year, and so on.
One of the benefits of taking a class or workshop during the summer is the opportunity to meet educators from other schools and districts. Talk about a brainstorming and sharing bonanza! Then again, you have to say to yourself, "Now what can I take back with me to adapt and use in my classroom?" This is what I'm experiencing this week as I sit through my Web2.0 workshop. What a blessing to be able to have the ability to openly share with others in you professional field.
Wherever you are in your preparations for returning back to school, I hope you take some time and reflect back on your "recharging" summer and become enthused about your school year to come.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Using Blogs as an instructional tool
This morning's workshop assignment is to answer the question, "How do you see using blogs as an instructional tool?"
Hmmmm.... all morning we've been looking at examples of schools that use classroom blogs. Some uses were good, some bad.
The examples that impressed me were the ones that clearly focused on a topic for the students to respond to. Interestingly enough, these were authored by students in the lower elementary grades. I'm beginning to understand that inorder to properly utilize the blog in class, the key word is focus, focus, focus. Give paramaters for the students, give them what you expect as far as quality, and give them good examples of what a proper blog is.
We looked at some examples of other entries that used "creative" fonts, shortcuts for words (ie. lol, cultr). Where were the teachers who were supposed to be monitoring the entries? As a class, we decided that it was not appropriate for entries such as these to be posted.
Enough about the "looks" of the post. How could you use it? My mind has been spinning today about the possibility of using blogging in my literature class- having students comment on a certain chapter or section, then respond to each others views. I'm also beginning to see how blogging can reinforce proper writing practices instead of the email version of language that is prevelant in today's instant messaging society.
Thoughts? Ideas on other ways to use blogging in the classroom?
Hmmmm.... all morning we've been looking at examples of schools that use classroom blogs. Some uses were good, some bad.
The examples that impressed me were the ones that clearly focused on a topic for the students to respond to. Interestingly enough, these were authored by students in the lower elementary grades. I'm beginning to understand that inorder to properly utilize the blog in class, the key word is focus, focus, focus. Give paramaters for the students, give them what you expect as far as quality, and give them good examples of what a proper blog is.
We looked at some examples of other entries that used "creative" fonts, shortcuts for words (ie. lol, cultr). Where were the teachers who were supposed to be monitoring the entries? As a class, we decided that it was not appropriate for entries such as these to be posted.
Enough about the "looks" of the post. How could you use it? My mind has been spinning today about the possibility of using blogging in my literature class- having students comment on a certain chapter or section, then respond to each others views. I'm also beginning to see how blogging can reinforce proper writing practices instead of the email version of language that is prevelant in today's instant messaging society.
Thoughts? Ideas on other ways to use blogging in the classroom?
Monday, August 6, 2007
Techlearningblog
Hi and welcome to my blog site. It is my hope that through comment and collaboration, we can share ideas about education and lessons in a Christian school setting.
The rest of this posting will be dealing with a workshop I am currently taking... Web 2.0. We are at the end of the first day of training, and our assignment is to read and comment on an article by the instructor about the uses of Web 2.0 in the classroom and if it will ever be accepted and fit into our educational system today. (If you are interested in reading the article, please go to techlearning.com and read the "Square Pegs, Round Hole" article.)
How do I feel about using Web 2.0 in my classroom? To be honest, I am unsure. I can see the benefits of having the students do digital storytelling, or even wiki sites (such as wikipedia) for some research, but I do have questions about blogging. My mind keeps switching between the "Hey, I could use this with one of my literature units for feedback and open conversation between students," and the "Is this really safe for our students to use?" thoughts.
To be honest, I think I'm stuck in the oh, oh... here comes a change frame of mind. Many good points are brought up in the article, such making sure that the use of this technology works hand in hand with the school's level of literacy and that a level of learning must be achieved that wouldn't have been reached without using the technology.
I agree with this outlook for how to use it. It must be in a responsible way. Looking at today's world and how the young people are "connected", we need to take a look at how to reach them in a way that is real to them. However, I don't think we can rely on total technology for education... there's still something to be said for the tried and true educational instructional process.
The rest of this posting will be dealing with a workshop I am currently taking... Web 2.0. We are at the end of the first day of training, and our assignment is to read and comment on an article by the instructor about the uses of Web 2.0 in the classroom and if it will ever be accepted and fit into our educational system today. (If you are interested in reading the article, please go to techlearning.com and read the "Square Pegs, Round Hole" article.)
How do I feel about using Web 2.0 in my classroom? To be honest, I am unsure. I can see the benefits of having the students do digital storytelling, or even wiki sites (such as wikipedia) for some research, but I do have questions about blogging. My mind keeps switching between the "Hey, I could use this with one of my literature units for feedback and open conversation between students," and the "Is this really safe for our students to use?" thoughts.
To be honest, I think I'm stuck in the oh, oh... here comes a change frame of mind. Many good points are brought up in the article, such making sure that the use of this technology works hand in hand with the school's level of literacy and that a level of learning must be achieved that wouldn't have been reached without using the technology.
I agree with this outlook for how to use it. It must be in a responsible way. Looking at today's world and how the young people are "connected", we need to take a look at how to reach them in a way that is real to them. However, I don't think we can rely on total technology for education... there's still something to be said for the tried and true educational instructional process.
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