"A mind once stretched by a new idea can never return to its original shape."
~Thurgood Marshall
ing in all 4 quadrants. In our next meeting we will explore quadrants C and D in greater detail, as well as some additional Web 2.0 tools. In preparation let's reflect a bit. Consider some of these questions and add a comment to share your reactions. In what ways has your thinking been challenged, or stretched? Were you motivated, or inspired, by anything in particular? What ideas do you have for potential ways Web 2.0 tools might impact rigor and relevance in your classroom, or at your school? In what ways can Web 2.0 tools be integrated to help achieve goals of the school improvement plan at your school?Visit the blog again over the next few days to add the ideas of others to your repertoire and keep the conversation going! Susan and I will be checking in, and sharing too.
Image source: netTrekker d.i.
10 comments:
Dear D-Twins
I grew up during the sixties. Then, the new technology was space exploration. It's part of what inspired me to become a teacher. Now days it is computers, cell phones, ipods, blogs and twittering. Wow! The kids are so far ahead of me my head spins. I've always used then computer for "normal" teacher things like research, email, etc. I never invisioned using podcast or twittering. I don't want to rot, so drag me in screaming and kicking.
Dear Digital Twins, Love that name, anyway, after I joined Muse, I came upon a site called Thinkfinity.com the site allows students to put in their topic, type in one section at a time, then it produces a graphic organizer that shows their ideas outlined and organized. Awesome, using technology, learning about their topic, and becoming more tech savy.
Dear Digital Twins,
The example from one of our videos suggested using texting as a teaching tool. The example of texting someone outside the school gave me much to think about. I even talked to my students about this example. Some of them were ready to try it on the spot. Of course, I was not. But their interest confirmed what we are learning. The students are waiting for us to catch up with them. I am thinking about ways to utilize texting ect, in the classroom. I have asked several students to show me how they use their cell phones. They were surprised by the request at first, but they were excited to show me. Baby steps!
Dear Digital twins,
I've had to learn to use internet resources that I wouldn't have tried on my own. I've been motivated by the possibility of using these items in my classroom. I'm concerned about coordinating the use of these items with the curriculum that i'm teaching.
The internet and all the possiblities and uses are scary. This type of technology takes me out of my comfort zone. The students do all of these things. I asked them about blogging, their response was "you don't have a my space page".
I enjoyed learning allt he different free resources available to teachers and persons interested in education. I feel that we take a crash course in education reform without taking the tuime to show teachers resources and strategies to cope with the swift changes. Teachers enjoy what they teach. It becomes a problems when they told HOW to teach and given no concrete directions or resources. I welcome change as long as assistance come with it. I think the whole webspiration is a money saver for the county and a great visual for slow learners. I use United streamed videos all the time, now I can create a quiz for any video I select.
At one time and not so long ago, the computer was simply a mode of "drill and kill" practice in the form of games. With the enhancement of Web 2.0, an entirely new level is achieved. The computer station as always, is a desired mode of learning, but the student is not allowed to play that mindless game. He is now empowered to use his brain and to harness skills that otherwise were almost impossible to reach. These skills are now assessible for all students, all learning styles, and all levels of intelligence.
My principal and I have talked about integrating more technology into our school improvement plan. We have discussed how we can incorporate this into the classroom and into the professional development. Due to our student population and our faculty population we have found that not all are equally knowledgeable or equipped when it comes to technology. We are in the process of training our staff so they are comfortable with the use of basic technology in hopes that they will branch out and grasp more complex and advanced technology. It is our hope that they will use this technology with their classroom. We have found that some teachers are still reluctant while others have embraced the love of technology.
Hi Robert, thanks for sharing the examples about your conversations with your students! And you are right about their positive reactions. Take a look at the article on "taming texting". You can find it here: http://www.edutopia.org/text-messaging-teaching-tool I really think you will enjoy it! BJ & Susan
Hey Bob, I enjoyed your comments and believe you articulated the feelings of many teachers (the literature about Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants comes to my mind right away). I was grinning about your remarks on "drag me in screaming..". I can't wait to hear more about your work with web 2.0. I heard no screaming and witnessed no dragging when you were creating that blog you told us about today! Keep us posted on your progress with that and your other web 2.0 endeavors!
Hi Russell, Isn't that thinkfinity site awesome? If you take a look on the Georgia DOE site you will see they also like, and advocate it! It is a great resource and we haven't even begun to tap into its usefulness yet! Great serendipitous find on your part! You are right on target! Keep us posted on what you are doing.
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