Think, Learn, Share & Create

During the previous five weeks I have learned how and why Web 2.0 Technologies are so important in the evolution of the K-12 classroom.  I mention the K-12 classroom because this is where I focus my energies. I cannot wait to present and share all of the wonder tools I have learned about with our teaching staff.  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasting, RSS feeds, and document sharing.  The vast array of Web 2.0 tools can be quite overwhelming but I believe if all of these tools are introduced and demonstrated on how it can be implemented into the day to day teaching environment the classroom successes will be double-fold. Teachers will have the ability to remove the walls of a conventional classroom and reach their students at home or on the go.  Students will have the ability to refresh, review, and contribute in their classes. The use of technology will allow students to take ownership in their learning experience and empower them to use critical thinking while expanding their horizons.

So is this the final frontier??? I think not…….. The world is shrinking and the classroom is growing.

The hot topic about using Wikipedia or other resources on the web is the awareness of informational literacy.

In an article, Information Literacy: An Overview (2000), the authors state information literacy, should be a form of critical thinking using information sources questioningly. With this thought in mind how do we educate our students on thinking critically? In doing some research I have found several sites that may be helpful to bridge the gap between credibility and ambiguity.

The Educators Network: Where Teachers Come First

S.O.S. for Information Literacy

In trying to find a good way to collect Web 2.0 information for our K-12 educators the creation of a Wiki came to mind. What a great way to get us started on this technological journey. I know there are many sites with groups, best practices, and incredible information on Web 2.0 in the classroom but  there are times when you just need a place to hang your hat. My intent is to give educators a warehouse housing peer information to nurture and share strengths while developing the skills of a K-12 educators.

Share, it’s a wonderful way to LEARN.

“When you know something, say what you know. When you don’t know something, say that you don’t know. That is knowledge.” – Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius)

Create for quote  http://www.nwlink.com/~Donclark/hrd/learnqt.html

I have been conducting a field trip through many Wikis trying to decide the best use for this tool in a classroom. On my adventure I have noticed many educators use Wikis as an informational silo for different topics. Some use the Wiki to organize classroom topics such as homework assignments, extra credit work, or discussions about a current topic in class. I was discussing the use of a classroom Wiki with a 5th grade teacher yesterday and her opinion is a Wiki is a great way to organize classroom assignments but she did not find the discussion page useful. She found that the students understood the use of the discussion page but the discussions never developed. I suggested using a blog instead of the discussion page on a Wiki.  Any suggestions or comments?

We as educators are being flooded with new technology tools to keep our students engaged.  That is wonderful but it is scary business trying to learn this technology and introduce this technology in an educational environment. I think I found some hope for all of us newbies in the educational blogging world. The website Tech4Learning

is a great resource for teaching tools, lesson ideas, and created rubrics.

I also found a Wiki for the teacher/educator who like to cook.  A group of teachers has started a wiki called Blog Tweet Cook.  Check it out, you may find this a fun way to get your feet wet and get some good recipes.  I thought this was an interesting way to collaborate ( a virtual cookbook).

Blog Tweet Cook

Starting a new blog is scary business.  I went for a run this morning to clear my head and decided to just start writing on a topic that is of concern for educators.  Responsibility, security and safety.

Here is a little segway. While I was running there was a driveway where a family’s newspaper was blown all around their front yard.  I thought to myself one random act of kindness.  I collected all the newspaper parts and placed them under a rock in the driveway.  Okay I ramble……… My idea then turned to educational blogging.  To get students prepared to blog responsibly we (educators) could start a blog where students have to perform one random act of kindness and write, reflect on their actions. I think this would be a positive spin for students and blogging. Instead of focusing on random conversations students would learn there are positive contributions to blogging.

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