Fourth Article Reflection

Kelly Driscoll discusses how many of the new Web 2.0 technologies are having positive impacts on today's classrooms in the article Collaboration in Today's Classrooms: New Web Tools Change the Game. She suggests that many of the new technologies are popular in education circles because (1) they are free or very inexpensive (2) they are easy to use (3) many are fully hosted. Technologies mentioned include blogs and RSS; wikis; online learning communities using Elgg or Digication; online office applications like Google for Educators and Zoho Office Suite; podcasting; and video conferencing with Skype and MSN messenger. This was a very good article which I would highly recommend. One statement in particular related to the effects of these type of technologies really struck a cord with me. In reference to the use of blogs or wikis for students to post work for editing and comments the following was stated "there is a huge difference between writing a paper for the teacher and writing one for your peers." Perhaps the old adage about positive peer pressure might be seen in very real ways using Web 2.0.

Kelly Driscoll (2007, May). Collaboration in Today's Classrooms: New Web Tools Change the Game. MultiMedia & Internet@Schools, 14(3), 9-12. Retrieved July 28, 2007, from ProQuest Education Journals database. (Document ID: 1272562851).

Third Article Reflection

In her article about webquests, Maureen Yoder guides the reader through the history of webquests and discusses the main elements which should be included in a well-designed quest. Since I am planning to create a webquest for my final project, this information was helpful for me. In particular I was excited about having the examples of existing webquests within the article and the table of other webquests and information about them in one location. However, upon further exploration, I discovered that the vast majority of the links included in the table were no longer active. So, while the article provided some good overall information it will not be as good a resource as I had hoped.

Second Article Reflection

The article by David Warlick presented a fictional account of how schools and classrooms could operate by implementing current technologies. Many of the applications required the use of chips in student and/or teacher nametags and a variety of handheld devices. To say that the image of learning portrayed in the article is different from classrooms of today would seem to be a huge understatement. Due to the emphasis on collaborative learning and technology in the new Georgia Performance Standards, I believe our state is headed in this direction. However, I would expect a much longer learning and implementation curve than the projected 2014 in the fictional article. Overall this was interesting reading that left me with much to ponder.

First Article Reflection

The article Blogging and RSS - The "What's It?" and "How To" of Powerful New Web tools for Educators provided some interesting examples of applications of these Web 2.0 tools in school systems and classrooms. I was particularly intriqued by the Lewis Elementary web site. It often seems difficult to have our school website updated in a timely manner. Using the blog concept for this was intriguing. I did not care for the placement of the links to the side and below all of the blog entries, but the concept and potential uses as an effective communication tool for an entire school were good. I also enjoyed seeing the classroom application for the discussion of The Secret Lives of Bees. I especially liked the blog established for parents who were reading along with their students. Finally as a parent, I would enjoy being able to subscribe to blogs for all of my daughter's teachers. Our school has a page on the web site that enables teachers to post information, but parents must navigate the site and select each teacher individually. Using blogs and RSS this information would be available in one location. This alone would improve communication between teachers and parents. I plan to discuss the possibility of using these tools with our administrators.

Great Wiki Video

Hi. Kathy Schrock's blog from July 15 links to a great youtube video explaining wikis, how they can be used, and why they might be more effective than e-mail. Check it out.

Favorite Bookmarks Link

To find more of my favorite links, access my bookmarks at del.icio.us.

Flickr Activity Photo

Here's the link for you to view my photo of Washington, D.C. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10121526@N06/823513541/

Website Presentation

Heather McGuire and I will be presenting information about Coolmath.com during our next meeting.

Thoughts on homework in this age of technology

While creating my RSS I found this interesting blog with an entry discussing how homework fits into today's technological world. Check it out.

Initial Post

The first entry that everyone will be able to see. What should one say? This seems somewhat familiar in layout like another form of e-mail yet slightly intimidating too. Hopefully the learning curve will be short and this will prove a valuable tool for communicating with parents.