Technology is an amazing resource for educators and has been for quite some time. However, the new capabilities of the read/write web allow for students to interactive with technology as apposed to using it strictly for research. The ability to publish directly to the web instantaneously and interact with others through blogs is an amazing addition to traditional methods of teaching. The internet has long since made the world a smaller place, and that is something that can be infinitely useful in the education system
In the first chapter of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson presents the background information about the new read/write web. The web has been transformed by the fact that ordinary everyday people can now contribute content to the web without specialized knowledge or expensive programs.
There have been changes in political campaigns, journalism, business structure, and many more areas due to the new read/write web. However according to Richardson (2008):
The world is changing around us, yet as a system, we have been very, very slow to react. Our students’ realities in terms of the way they communicate and learn are very different from our own. By and large, they are “out there” using a wide variety of technologies that they are told they can’t use when they come to school. (p. 5)
The fact that the educational system has not yet caught up to the real world is a major focus of Richardson. He goes on to explain that social learning through the use of blogs, wikis, RSS, Aggregators, Social bookmarking, online photo galleries, and podcasts teachers can truly begin to teach their students in a way in which they can learn to their full potential.
In the first chapter Richardson also spends a great deal of time on keeping students safe. Because the very nature of the read/write web is that anyone can post content to the web one must be very careful of the content that students encounter as they search the web. It is also important to explain to children that they should be careful to protect their identity and to not provide personal information such as an address. There are predators that use the internet to look for victims. Mostly it is important to get parents permission before posting anything online about a student including a picture.
In chapter 2 Richardson focuses on blogs. Blogs can be a powerful tool in the classroom in several different formats. Blogs can be used as a class portal, online filing cabinet, portfolio, collaborative space, knowledge management tool, and a school website. All of these uses of blogs can greatly improve education. According to Richardson (2008) blogs can be an attractive addition to teaching in six major ways; first blogs are a constructivist tool for learning, second blogs expand the walls of the classroom, third blogs archive the learning that teachers and students do facilitating all kinds of reflection, fourth blogs are a democratic tool that supports different learning styles, fifth blogs can enhance the development of expertise in a particular subject, and finally blogs will teach students the new illiteracies that they will need in our expanding society (p. 27). Overall blogs are a tool that can be used in so many different ways depending on the comfort level and desire for the teacher to incorporate collaborative technology within the classroom.
In my future teaching I plan to incorporate as much technology as the school will allow me to. I grew up with technology and therefore am extremely comfortable with the use of any type of technology. Although I did not have the benefit of being exposed to the internet at a young age, it has been apart of my education since about sixth grade. Now I see six and seven year old children searching the internet, participate in social networking sites such as Webkins which allow children to play games and talk online with their friends. I had not realized how beneficial the new read/write web can be for student development. Prior to this class I had read many blogs but had never participated or had my own. I know see just how beneficial the analytical thinking that goes along with true blogging can be for students.
I hope to follow in the footsteps of Anne Davis and have my students participate in blogging as well as using blogs to chronicle student work. I hope to teach fifth grade so it was good to see that students at that age and younger are able to use the technology and truly benefit from it. I would like to use blogging as a way for students to interact with people from around the world as well as authorities in subjects.
The fact that authors and professionals participate in students’ blogs is an amazing resource. It encourages students to work hard to present good material as well as giving them self esteem and increasing their knowledge. It seems that the use of technology can have endless positive influences in the classroom and I hope to use as many aspects of technology as I can.
I think one of the great uses of blogs is as an online filing cabinet. One thing I always felt that was lacking in the education system is true reflection and revision. Most work is handed in and forgot about. Keeping all of a students work in one place allows them to revisit their work and revise as well as to reflect on their growth. I believe that a student that can see the progress they have made is more likely to want to push themselves harder and achieve more than one who feels that they just float along through the year and are not truly learning.
Students can be helped by technology in so many ways that it is crucial for educators to step up and provide the opportunity to take advantage of this ability. While looking at Anne Davis’ blog (http://tinyurl.com/6lcfmo) I found a post about an article written by Will Richardson called “Footprints in the Digital Age”. In the article Richardson (2008) quotes another author:
As author John Seely Brown (Brown & Adler, 2008) points out, these shifts demand that we move our concept of learning from a "supply-push" model of "building up an inventory of knowledge in the students' heads" (p. 30) to a "demand-pull" approach that requires students to own their learning processes and pursue learning, based on their needs of the moment, in social and possibly global communities of practice.
I think this is one of the main ways students can benefit from this new technology. Students need to take ownership of their learning. So many students feel a great disconnect between themselves and their education. The authoritarian, rote memorization days of learning are over. Teachers must be seen as facilitators in a child’s education rather than a dictator.
Another great way that students learn is through reading, linking, and analyzing though blogs. Richardson (2008) quoted Samuel Johnson “I hate to read a writer who has written more than he has read” (p. 29). Reading others work, responding, and analyzing it on your own is an important part of blogging Real blogging which Richardson (2008) explains to be “Links with analysis and synthesis that articulate a deeper understanding or relationship to the content being linked and written with potential audience response in mind” (p.31). Richardson (2008) also goes on to explain complex blogging as “Extended analysis and synthesis over a longer period of time that builds on previous posts, links, and comments” (p. 31). I think that in order for students to get the most out of blogging they need to be able to create real blogs.
There have recently been a number of studies that have been researching the effects of technology on students; there have also been a number of authors that have attempted to synthesize this information. One of those authors is J.M Marshall (2002), in a review of existing evidence of technology's impact on learning, Marshall (2002) found strong evidence that educational technology "complements what a great teacher does naturally," extending their reach and broadening their students' experience beyond the classroom. "With ever-expanding content and technology choices, from video to multimedia to the Internet," Marshall suggests "there's an unprecedented need to understand the recipe for success, which involves the learner, the teacher, the content, and the environment in which technology is used" (p. 10-12)
Overall it has become apparent that the educational system needs to work diligently to catch up to the technology of our society. Educators need to work hard to not only teach their students about the endless capabilities of technology but also teach themselves. The new read/write web provides amazing opportunities for students to develop and learn in new and exciting ways. Students need to take charge of their learning and look at the process as a lifelong journey not just defined by their time in the classroom. Students are going to become increasingly involved in the social and collaborative aspects of the web and it is the educators’ responsibility to find an avenue for this inside the classroom.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I love Technology!!
I have to say that I am one of the lucky ones when it comes to our technology class. Because I grew up with technology as a major part of my life I am very comfortable with all types of new technology. I began using the internet in probably sixth grade which is why I have NO idea how students functioned before the internet existed. The amount of resources that are available because of the internet is just amazing. I feel that without access to the internet my educational experience would have been drastically different.
I feel like now I am entering into a new relationship with the internet. Prior to this class I had read blogs but had never responded to any or had my own blog. It is amazing to learn all of the ways that blogging and other aspects of the read/write web are beneficial to students. At first I thought that blogging could be benefical because of the interaction with other people and the ability to comment and revise however I have since learned that the real key to blogging is to read, link, and analyze others work. This forces students to think and write in a way that is distinctly different from what is normally done in class.
I hope to be able to use technology in every aspect possible in order to help students to navigate the world today!
I feel like now I am entering into a new relationship with the internet. Prior to this class I had read blogs but had never responded to any or had my own blog. It is amazing to learn all of the ways that blogging and other aspects of the read/write web are beneficial to students. At first I thought that blogging could be benefical because of the interaction with other people and the ability to comment and revise however I have since learned that the real key to blogging is to read, link, and analyze others work. This forces students to think and write in a way that is distinctly different from what is normally done in class.
I hope to be able to use technology in every aspect possible in order to help students to navigate the world today!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
