FLTechNotesDec2008

F-L Tech Notes by Maria Bernard

December 2008

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Web 2.0- Podcasts, Wikis, and Blogs

Hello everyone each month I will be sending out and posting my Technology Newsletter for you at the Middle School. I will be bringing up Technology ideas that we can be using in the classroom. This month I would like to focus my discussion on what is Web 2.0 and how as educators we can harness and integrate what we have learned in using technology in our classrooms and take it to the next level. We will look at “What do they mean by Web 2.0?” and “How can we start using some of Web 2.0 tools?”

The phrase Web 2.0 is not an application or operating system that is measured with increase speed or by size, it refers to the next step of using technology to communicate, create, edit and share ideas and knowledge using a variety of tools such as wikis, blogs and podcasts. Web 2.0 allows us to participate in discussions via discussion boards and the “constructing” of knowledge as in a wiki, or even posting our ideas in a blog and have people debate the issue. These Web 2.0 tools can allow your students go deeper into a discussion than what you would get from a face-to-face discussion with kids; students are able to contribute at their own time, in their own way. It allows the classroom discussions and debates to extend beyond our classroom and meet our students where they do like to discuss, debate and ok-hangout.

Our students are light years ahead of us with using blogs and discussion boards (check any MySpace or Facebook). Many of our students have created websites and profiles as a way to share with friends and acquaintances (they have hundreds) and they are no longer in just Freetown-Lakeville. If I want to learn about my niece and nephew in Brimfield or North Stonington, I ask my son- he is in daily contact online checking out their MySpace or discussion board, sometimes even before the weekly call from my sisters to inform us about what is going on. They are learning about their world and how large and small it really is.

Please do not think that everything in education changes because discussions are now done “differently”, students still need to construct well thought out arguments and then debate effectively, but they have a different forum other than face-to-face in a classroom. Teachers can facilitate a discussion online just like in the classroom. Rubrics can be setup so that proper grammar is used instead of the “language” kids have created online conversing with friends. Homework can be a contribution from each student on a particular argument. Students can construct projects via wikis that can be done not only at school but at home as well. Sharing and building of knowledge can take place outside the walls of our school. Technology can enable students to team up for homework without leaving their homes. Notice that collaboration on projects does not need to be done at school; it can be done at anytime, anywhere. Yes I know we still have 10% of our students that don’t have the means to collaborate online from home but they do have access to computers at our local library. Teachers can be mindful of those students and direct them to a computer at team time. There are solutions to many of the roadblocks that prevent us from taking this next step.

Students need our guidance on using these tools for their own productivity and knowledge. It is up to us as educators to give them the guidance in using them effectively.

GradeQuick™ Tip!!

Did you know that you can create your own field to collect information on students within GradeQuick? For instance, in the beginning of the school year, I create a computer number field and quickly add the computer number of each student in that field. When it is time to form seating charts, I select the field and rearrange my seating chart to my class layout with the computer number under the student’s name.

How-To

From your class, go to Edit-Students- From the dialog box at the bottom Select Add Field either at the end or at the cursor- Then name the field what ever you want-Then select OK. You can start entering anything you want to keep on each student.

Web 2.0 Websites and Articles

www.wikispaces.com

www.classblogmeister.com

www.techlearning.com/K12/Fundamentals issue #7 Web 2.0 (You need to register in order to read the article)

Discussion Board Forums at MassOne

http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/moving-toward-web-20-in-k-12-education/

Last Updated: 12/10/08