The focus of this class is on technology, and I would generally say that I am interested in using and learning about technology. Looking over the syllabus and the first few activities and readings for this class, I would like to do two things over the next eights weeks.
As we building our Personal Learning Networks, I hope to become more familiar with the programs that we are using, and to accumulate a list of sites, blogs, and groups, etc that I feel comfortable with and excited enough about to continue visiting after this class is over.
Also, I would like to find at least a few of the programs and web 2.0 tools that we are going to be using that I can incorporate into my classroom. Unfortunately, the trick in doing this is the filtering and blocking system that we have on our internet access at school. To make this successful, I would need to be able to have the students guaranteed of access to the tools. There are some that do not have internet at home, so they would need to be able to work at school. While it is not overly difficult to get websites unblocked on a teacher's personal computer, there would need to be more justification and proven uses to get the site unblocked school-wide. As we learn about these tools and their applications, my goal is to be able to find applications for them in my classroom, that will help to engage my students.
On a much more superficial layer, there are some web 2.0 tools like Niing and Delicious that I have either not heard about, or have never used. In these cases, I would just like to gain some familiarity with them.
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One of things I hope we can do is develop an argument for the use of some of these tools in schools so that we can begin to convince administration that we need access. We'll also look at some environments where the school can start small and work in a more controlled environment. Two things I think we have to keep in mind: 1) How will kids learn to responsibly use these tools (which we all know they do outside of school) without some guidance / instruction and 2) How will we remain relevant if we ignore the tools that are being used in the workplace and by kids on their own.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that students are using these tools outside of the classroom already, and that keeping them blocked is ignoring what so many of them are interested in, and what would keep them more engaged in learning. I saw your comment on Angie's blog, and responded that Moodle is now an option for our use at my school. It has only recently been added as something that we can all access, so while I may get to using it in a small way this year, I would like to try it next year with some of my classes and see how the students respond. Success in that "controlled environment" would help build a case for opening up other blocked sites for student use.
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