My 2.0 web confessions

Finally, it has come to the end of a magnificent journey in the 2.0 web class learning to use 21st century technology.  The tools I learned in web2.0 will 1.) forever change the way I use technology in the classroom.  2.)  make my personal and professional life more enjoyable.  I accept the challenge of trying to get my colleagues to embrace technology and not shy away from it.

Personally, I learned that by creating my own wikis and blog, I can share my thoughts and ideas with others.  Diigo and social bookmarking has allowed me to organize, highlight, and store my information. When I find articles I can share them with others who have similar interests.  It is important to me to communicate what I learned in this course.

Professionally, google docs will be a critical step for me to communiate with administrators and other staff.  I need to challege myself to use these new found tools to greatly enhance my students higher level thinking skills.  More importantly, I can use my wiki and blog to vastly improve the communication between my parents and myself.
  However, it is still important to close the digital divide that remain between the have and the have nots.  Social  media is increaseingly becoming popular for the younger generation and the way we communicate. We as educators must learn to incorporate cell phones in the classroom.  There are some interesting articles on the positive use of cell phones in the classroom.  Lastly, no matter how much technology we use in the classroom, we still need to take extreme measures to protect the privacy of students.

Now that web 2.0 has exposed me to many exciting tools, the challenge for me should I except, is to continue to grow professionally through technology.  I will use my newfound knowlege to go back to school in August to encourage my colleagues to embrace technology and not reject it.

In conclusion, my plan for the year includes but not limited to 1.) eliminate the need to rely on paper. 2.) create greater accessibility for parents. 3.) use web 2.0 tools to create challenging and exciting student projects.

social bookmarking

  My username is mostep.
 I found it difficult getting started using Diigo.  This tool will become extremely valuable to me professionally once I learn how to navigate the site and use the toolbar.  Social Bookmarking will allow me highlight important info to share with other educators.  I can annotate info and check back later to see who else responded. I love the fact that I can share what I read with others who have similar interests.

Diigo will allow me to tag and organize sites.  I can provide sites for students and parents to do extra reading on a particular subject.  I can create groups for parents, send emails, collaborate with colleagues and keep admin informed.  As for my Personal Learning Network ( PLN), I am provided with unlimited information and resources to use at my discretion.  I can see what others are reading and sharing.

RSS Feeder summary

  RSS Feeds are a must.  I spend an enormous amount of time reading different articles everyday.  Setting up my google reader has allowed me to deposit all my information in one location.  RSS Feeds is like having someone constantly feeding you the latest information on what is happening around the world.  Feeds are useful for gathering news on many subjects, and upcoming events.  You can get all the information you need on one page.    The possibilities of their usage is practically endless.

As for students using the technology, I am not so sure.  Most of my students are reading below grade level. It would be wonderful for my students to sign up for google reader.  I can use google reader to bring content to my students, instead of having students search for it.  Hopefully, I want to learn to add discussion questions on google reader for my students to respond to.  I think the students who are shy would definitely benefit from answering discussion questions online.  Given the inequalities that exist in education I think that most students would be left out.

Professionally,  I am somewhat challenged on using technology in the classroom.  Learning to use my blog and keep it current is somewhat of a challenge.  I am really excited about creating my google reader, I look forward to creating some exciting lesson plans using google reader.  I am looking for help in learning to use my blog and google reader together.  I will definitely encourage my colleagues at my school to create a blog and incorporate google reader in the classroom.  It would be nice to use the inservice days during the year to teach teachers to incorporate google technology in the classroom.

ETools for educators

E tools offered me an opportunity to explore websites that will enhance and prolong my educational career.  The information found on the various sites were at times very overwhelming.  Remember this 2.0 web course is my first exposure into the use of technology in the classroom.  Still, two websites I found interesting were alicechristic and timetoast.

Alicechritic's site that provided information on virtual fieldtrips was very interesting.  Educators can use the virtual fieldtrip guide to create wonderful and exciting fieldtrips.  Since budget problems persist in the county today, going on a virtual field is essentially free.  I can't think of a better way to teach social studies, and at the same time increase student knowlege and understanding of a subject.  This site would be extremely helpful for educators to develop and discuss virtual field trips.

The site timetoast is a site used by educators to create timelines.  The only timelines I use, are those at the beginning of a unit or chapter in the textbook.  Now I can use timetoast to create timelines for use in the curriculm.  Not only can educators create timelines for students, but they can share them with others on the web.  I definitely will share this site with my colleagues in the social studies department.  Can't overstate the fact that's it free to join.  All one have to do is sign up!