After exploring the 4 categories of options, I chose to view the session titled, “How Can I Become a Part of this ReadWriteWeb Revolution?“ (Getting Started). Although this wonderful Web 2.0 course is teaching me amazing technological techniques, it’s definitely overwhelming when thinking about applying these new sills to classroom curriculum. It’s so easy to continue teaching the way I always have . . . and I do think I am a pretty good teacher. Yet, now, I think I’m a pretty good soon-to-be outdated teacher. Anyway, the three speakers, Alice Barr, Cheryl Oakes, and Bob Sprankle, did make some very valid points. One that makes the most sense is that we have to make our classrooms “as exciting as Homecoming.” I agree. I always want my students to look forward to or want to be in my classroom. Learning should be exciting and engaging. They also made a very valid point that I mentioned in one of my earlier posts: many teachers are expected to teach using these technology tools, but they haven’t been taught how.
Even though I don’t think I learned anything new from this session, the speakers did reinforce much of what I have learned these past weeks. And they definitely reinforced the importance of not holding back from trying these new tools in my classroom but to do what Nike says and ”Just do it!”
Agree…learning should be exciting and engaging. Exploring and trying is definitely one way to feel comfortable. There isn’t anything wrong with learning along with your students or from them for that matter. Yes, “Just do it!” like Nike says.
I feel too very overwhelmed by all the information I am exposed too.
About Skype, I used it is the past as a free tool to call friends abroad and talk to them and see them in live mode. Sometimes there were challenges, but it is a nice toll after all.
It is a little frightening to think that you may soon be an outdated teacher, isn’t it? I’m new to Web 2.0 too. I attended a conference presentation called “Leading the Change: Teaching Web 2.-0 Everything in One Place.” It was about a great site called Welcome to TEACH WEB 2.0. It is a website where all the new web 2.0 tools are briefly described by teachers and they post blogs about the tool’s strengths, weaknesses, and classroom applications. It’s just loaded with information on more tools than you can shake a stick at. It’s easy to navigate and you can quickly see if there is anything new out there that you could use. Take a look at TEACH WEB 2.0.
http://teachweb2.wikispaces.com
I ditto your sentiments. Baby steps. That is what I am thinking for this next year. And then slowly, I will grow into my feet, and my steps will become bigger, and I will incorporate more and more technology. Can our school support it, though? All of us increasing our use of technology?