Final Reflection
This morning I went back through all of the different activities and created bookmarks in my delicicious.com bookmark manager account for all of the different resources and tools I hope to use throughout the year. I am so happy that I was encouraged to be a part of this summer "camp." I am looking forward to creatively finding ways to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into what I am already teaching. I feel fairly comfortable learning and using these different tools. The next big step for me is more actively engaging the students in the creation process. The goal for us as teachers can't just be to expose our students to these different forms of technology, but ask them to use it to learn new information and synthesize and share what they know with their peers. I am especially looking forward to having screen-casts be a much larger part of how I disseminate information to my students and their parents.
I heard a quote that goes something like this, "Technology will never replace teachers, but teachers that do not use technology will be replaced by those that do." I have very mixed feelings about the extent to which our kids are currently engaged in digital media (screen time). Regardless of my personal beliefs, there are few jobs that we are currently educating our students to be ready for that will not require them to be comfortable and adaptable when working the technology. This idea of Web 2.0 has and will continue to change the world. It is the future of collaboration, and we need to teach our students how to do it effectively.
I agree, Mike. Finding authentic ways to use these tools in the classroom in time effective ways will be my challenge as well. I also struggle with how much computer time my 8 and 9 year-old kiddos should have.
ReplyDeleteI liked your statement about your next step -- actively engaging students in the creation process. For me, I'm still stuck in how I will "do" technology "for" my students. I want very much to shift that emphasis and have THEM "do" and create using technology. I also have to give myself time and space to make certain my comfort level is adequate (not perfect!). Reading the scenarios in the fitness assignment instilled that bit of caution, which I think is appropriate! It would be cool if we had the freedom to use a Wed. morning rotation or I-Day to reconvene as as PLC (those of us who did Web 2.0 and anyone else who wants to learn).
ReplyDeleteGreat work Mike! You have successfully completed all of the assignments! I will be sending you a survey sometime today on the class! Thanks!
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