Web Tools Now

I found an interesting item on my Google Reader today. It was from Infinite Thinking Machine and the name of the post was “Promoting Digital Equity with Web 2.0 and Open Source”. It had an interesting idea that I think any teacher could put into practice by using free software with their students. It seems that frequently I find the one of the problems in using technology with my students is not being able to have everyone with the same technology or software at their disposal. In using the free Web 2.0 tools and open source software this problem would be eliminated. Also, I think it would allow the students to feel a greater sense of ownership with their work by using problem solving skills to go and find a technology that can help them in completing their projects or assignment.

This post was very informative and made me realize that there is a tremendous amount of free software available. The article pointed out the benefits and challenges to Digital Equity. However, I feel that the benefits outweigh the challenges. This Digital Equity idea brings with it another concept of students creating their own Digital Toolbox. If we can help students begin to have a sense of ownership of their own Digital Toolbox instead of depending on someone else they will be on their way to becoming a 21^st century learner.

    It seems that blogging as a genre can be several different styles.  Some seem to be casual as in Imagine Turning On the Faucet and Nothing Coming Out while others are more formal like Why I Don’t Assign Homework.  They can informative Spies Like Us or just hopping on a soap box to tell the world.  Also with reading blogs I found that it seems to be interactive type of read.  The blogger can enhance his topic with links and images.  I also think reading a blog allows the reader to become more involved with the topic because he is also reading feedback from the comments and also can add a comment.  The commenting on a blog is another way of interacting with not only the blogger but also with the other people who have commented.  You could almost say it way new way to network with people.  The group already has mutual interest in the topic and has link to each other. Also the commenting allows the reader to get multiple view points on a topic which leads to a better understanding of the information.  Hopefully with this class I can work on ways to use blogging as a learning tool.  I’m sure interactive conversions on topics could be a way.

Initially, I thought Web 2.0 was a wild concept that would be something that I might not be able use in my teaching.  However, as I have look at the concept in a broader view I find that it really isn’t anything we haven’t done before.  It seems to me that it really is collaborative learning taking into a new age and using new tools.  The idea that people working together on a project or assignment is something we have done before.  But, Web 2.0 has broadened the scope of the group we can use and the way we can use it. 

            Some of the ways that I think I can use Web 2.0 in my teaching is allowing the student to take ownership of their learning.  Publishing something and giving ownership to a student can enrich the learning experience for them.  However, one of the draw backs that I’m fearful of is the technology interfering with the content.  Hopefully, through this class I will be able to learn ways to balance the technology along with the content and create a exciting and meaningful learning process.

I think why I am a teacher is because I’ve always been a life long learner.  In teaching you are always learning new things and experiencing new ways to learn.   Many students learn in many different ways so it is important to learn to teach in more than one way.    It is a must to be an effective teacher to learn new and interest ways to impart knowledge.  As technologies advance and students use these new technologies we as educators need to advance with them. That is why I think the 7 ½ habits are important to me.

            The most challenging habit has always been and I’m sure will be in this course is habit number one to begin with the end in mind.  It’s always been difficult for me to sit down, plan out the approach and set a solid goal.  I’m more of a jump into it and figure out what we need as we go.  So, hopefully through this class I can begin to work on that habit. I think that the easiest habit is viewing a problem as a challenge.  I enjoy working to solve problems.  It always has giving me a sense of accomplishment.  Through this class and with these new Web 2.0 tools I hope to better my teaching.  As I have said before, I think habit 7 ½  Play will be most important for me in this course.  Usually, I only get a cursory understanding of tools that I use.  Then once the project is accomplished I move on.  During this course I’m looking forward to being able to play and gain a deeper understanding of the new tools.  This hopefully will allow me to more effectively utilize them as I become a better 21st century learner and educator.