I explored Ning. I am struck by the fact that we have so many options for being connected to the world. We truly are a global society. It does not seem to me that we choose as Americans to “be connected.” It truly is our choice with soooo many options. I love the idea of using this application to connect students in a book club. Also, just connecting students with students around the world is an exciting thought. I think if some of my students had a chance to “chat” or “connect” online they would have a much better understanding of their own surroundings when they see the way others live. It would affirm the characteristics of their own culture. Again, sooooo many ideas! Which to choose? Choices can be a wonderful advantage in life–for me right now figuring out what methods to use in the classroom is a challenge. Just like I have heard a number of times throughout this class–one ideas at a time. I am glad I have been educated a little more; however, I can’t help thinking that with more education comes resposibility…to trying new things.
I had so much fun with this activity! Again my 15 year old was a big help. We searched Bandung, Indonesia where I was born and visited the city of Jakarta where I spent many years as a child. A very fun assignment!
I am continually amazed by the ideas and information that is available. Look through the many slideshows on education gave me idea after idea. I did not see a show I would download and use entirely. However, many of the shows I watched gave me an opportunity to brainstorm as I was watching sideshows.
podcasts–In the light of studying “culture” during the first quarter of the year in both Language A and Humanities, I love the idea of creating an oral history podcast. My daughter and I have had a fun time trying various podcast ideas; however, I will admit that I am a bit overwhelmed by this idea. I worked on this week a couple of weeks ago but never took the time to write a blog because I honestly did not know what to write. Is it possible that I am just saturated with new information? Perhaps I need to take some time to let a few ideas come together to benefit my students. I tend to be the type of person that wants to try everything new all at once. This is probably why I feel overwhelmed by ideas. We have so many options, the focus must be what will prepare our students for their futures!
I loved looking through various videos. Actually, this was not a first. With a fifteen year old daughter in the house we are often perusing utube for various topics. I loved the suggested vidoes on the 20/20 things list. A couple of years ago our Science teamteacher was teaching the human heart and found an awesome video that gave the students some amazing visuals on the human heart.
http://voicethread.com/share/46225/
Voice thread–I can see many benefits to using voicethread in the classroom. Gathering information using voicethread ideas will be much more exciting for students. I enjoyed reading and watching student voicethread learning as I searched through the examples.
Google Docs is very exciting. I was amazed this week when I asked my students how many had heard of Google docs. At least of every class responded that they had either used or seen Google docs being used. Exciting to think of all the possibilites for classes. I wondered about actually taking a class to the computer lab and having students work on several docs at the same time–perhaps planning group projects, etc.
Wow! Wiki applications are endless for a Language A class. However, I am not sure how to reconcile the problem of students not having technology available at home and also, not having technology access at schools. There are so many great ideas for using Wiki, but if students have a difficult time getting on line because of techonolgy limitations I struggle with assigning wiki applications. However, I can see that we need to be teaching our students how to use the methods of communication of the future.
This week of learning has really made me think about where “the classroom is going.” The ideas of Steve Hargadon are truly the next step in my evolution as a teacher. Many of the things he said in several of his videos resounds with me. I have always believed that students should write not only for the teacher but for others–as many others as possible. In my classroom, I seldom take home papers and grade on my own. I work with students the first couple of weeks to build confidence in their writing, and then we move to the next step of putting documents on the document reader and as a class we critique and change. This method helps students learn from many sample instead of just their own mistakes. Students also give their best effort everytime and ask questions and give critiques generously. This class on Web 2.0 has defenitely given me many ideas for more options for student writing and idea sharing.
The potential for use of TagCrowd and Wordle in the Language A classroom seems endless. What great tools to help students learn to express ideas in a concise manner, to help students learn to summarize ideas, to help students learn to synthesize ideas and then express their interpretations of other peoples ideas. Wow, this is one of my “favorite things” so far.
