What ideas, thoughts, strategies did you identify with?
What was most interesting?
Did you see any technologies that would solve a problem or fit a need in your life/classroom/school? If so, explain.
Post your comments by noon of next class on Oct 11 for full credit.
Online Communities in the Classroom - Resources - TES
12 comments:
online communities in schools could be usedcfor feedback on activates in class and feedback from individuals outside of school "pro athletes" twitter is nice to let the world know what we are doing day to day in class and getting ideas from others in the same type of classrooms. using avatars to help teach technique rules and new activites also getting anonymous feedback on classroom activites. student are growing up using this type of technology and find it easy to use. because students like these activites students are learning and participating doing thing they do every day "using technology"
I really liked the idea of the students having avatars to display and record themselves practicing another language. The entire time I was watching the video I was trying to think of ways I can use this for SCIENCE, but then I remember what Mrs. Earl said...."think what you want students to LEARN first (not how to use the technology)!". I had to check out the website Teachers TV to see what other videos were available that may relate more to my subject. I do believe that connecting students to the outside world is a great way to motivate the students and it will help apply the science information to real world applications.
The actual website teachers.tv was folded last year...but all of the videos and resources were moved to the same site where you watched the video http://www.tes.co.uk/home.aspx.
What struck me most of all in the video was an idea that really doesn't have too much to do with online learning communities but is a super-important concept in this day and age: That we should focus more on teaching internet safety rules as opposed to simply blocking sites. In addition, I thought the vokis looked like fun, but I, also, was thinking...how could I use these in my class? Seems like many of us might really need to "untrain" ourselves as to this way of thinking and instead ask whether or not they fulfill a current need in our classrooms, or are they simply cute?? Maybe both??
Students became more interested in learniing when they able to use the technolgy. A student could share without standing in front of the class which is sometimes intimidating. If a student was given a complicated math problem to solve they could share different ways of solving it using a Wiki or other social networking site.
One of the strategies I would use in science is sharing research with other schools (like the students did with Argentina schools). It would be fun to collaborate with other people doing the same research. It would make the assignment more meaningful to the students. However, I still need to know how to find a school/teacher to correspond with and share class results. The students in the video had individual powerpoints to share with the students in Argentina and I think that would be better than class results.
Sometimes I do not like the avatar concept, because I see people use it to attack when they are hiding behind a fake name. However, I like it in term of a classroom student who is shy and this can give them the courage to communicate with the class.
I also like the idea of using the technology to motivate students to learn. I still believe that the tech is a valuable tool in our motivation toolbox.
We should also get our students to speak in accents, they would sound smarter.
I liked Pam’s comment about teaching internet safety to students as opposed to blocking sites at school. But once again, our hands are tied.
I found the idea of twitter to be intriguing but there was not enough information given to say anything else.
I found the avatar model to be odd. While I enjoyed watching the students using it, I found myself wondering about how I could make use of it in an English classroom. It seemed like something I’d do just to say I used technology in the classroom, not something that solved a problem or fit an academic need.
I’d like to learn more about Wiki.
Overall, I found the video to be depressing because it was hard for me to relate to what I was viewing. I’m questioning why I’m taking this class because if I can’t embrace this technology, then maybe I don’t belong in the classroom anymore. I didn’t plan on being so brutally honest, but those are my fears…for better or for worse.
I somewhat agree with Pam. As I learn about all this technology I feel overwelmed. I feel like I need more time in my day to learn about it and how to use it. I barely use Facebook because I don't like sitting at a computer when I could be outside working in the yard or running in the park.
In terms of using social networking in the mathematics classroom, I see it as a collaberation tool more than anything.
online community in schools could be used for feedback on activates in class and feedback from individuals outside of school "pro athlets coaches or other teachers" using twitter would be nice to let the world know what we are doing day to day in class and getting ideas from others. Using avatars to help tech activities/rules/games new ideas. we could use studend made avatars to get anonymous feedback on classroom activities. The main advantage to this type of technology is it is somthing student are good at or use every day and it can be anonymous if needed. Another good selling point is the teacher is sneaking the learning in as the students do wht they do every day.
Remember,we're not expected to master (or even agree with???) every single thing we do in this class. If that were the case, I'd have to drop because my brain can't take everything in! I tried to do that a couple summers ago in a Web 2.0 class and basically gave up halfway through. This time I know I'll never be able to take in everything, but at least I'll be able to add to my "tool box" and maybe only be two steps behind instead of a mile. Stay perky:) Sorry about the smiley; this is almost starting to seem like a Facebook post.
Pam,
You are right...this class is about exposure to web 2.0 and building an awareness of how the Internet has made a significant impact on education. The goal is to learn what 2.0 is...what it offers...learning how other classrooms and teachers are using it...and an opportunity to build your own PLN to tailor your own learning.
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