Education and learning are changing and at the forefront of this change is technology. As educators we must be open and accepting of this change and prepare to integrate technology into our classrooms. The three experts in the reading all agree that the students’ and educators’ needs motivate the use of technology in our classrooms. Sound advice from the article also cautions educators not to try and do too much all at once. "Pick one tool that resonates with what you're already doing in the class," Darren Draper says. I’ve often wondered what exactly “Web 2.0” means. The article explains it as, “the so-called second generation of World Wide Web functionality that emphasizes greater collaboration and interactivity.”
The article then goes on to profile potential Web 2.0 tools that can be used in today’s classrooms. A simple starting point may be RSS. While RSS takes on more than one definition, the one I like best is “Really Simple Syndication.” This is a way of streamlining news and information that is important to the individual person. Listservs are also mentioned as another means of gathering information. Social-Networking websites are then discussed and Classroom 2.0 is recommended as a social-networking site for educators. Websites reviewed and praised by teachers are then discussed and the power of Twitter and the network behind it are shared. Wikis are discussed and a number of sample blogs are given to create an educational blogosphere. Online professional development is suggested as being relevant to teachers and cost-efficient for school districts.
Wordle could be used as a way of emphasizing key terms and vocabulary that students write in their notes. Prior to reviewing for a unit test students could type their vocabulary words and definitions into Wordle. Because Wordle emphasizes the most frequently used words students would see highlighted words that are repeated throughout a chapter. For example, a unit on factoring would have highlighted words such as binomial, trinomial, polynomial, exponent, square, and square root.
Education and learning are changing and at the forefront of this change is technology. As educators we must be open and accepting of this change and prepare to integrate technology into our classrooms. The three experts in the reading all agree that the students’ and educators’ needs motivate the use of technology in our classrooms. Sound advice from the article also cautions educators not to try and do too much all at once. "Pick one tool that resonates with what you're already doing in the class," Darren Draper says. I’ve often wondered what exactly “Web 2.0” means. The article explains it as, “the so-called second generation of World Wide Web functionality that emphasizes greater collaboration and interactivity.”
The article then goes on to profile potential Web 2.0 tools that can be used in today’s classrooms. A simple starting point may be RSS. While RSS takes on more than one definition, the one I like best is “Really Simple Syndication.” This is a way of streamlining news and information that is important to the individual person. Listservs are also mentioned as another means of gathering information. Social-Networking websites are then discussed and Classroom 2.0 is recommended as a social-networking site for educators. Websites reviewed and praised by teachers are then discussed and the power of Twitter and the network behind it are shared. Wikis are discussed and a number of sample blogs are given to create an educational blogosphere. Online professional development is suggested as being relevant to teachers and cost-efficient for school districts.
Wordle could be used as a way of emphasizing key terms and vocabulary that students write in their notes. Prior to reviewing for a unit test students could type their vocabulary words and definitions into Wordle. Because Wordle emphasizes the most frequently used words students would see highlighted words that are repeated throughout a chapter. For example, a unit on factoring would have highlighted words such as binomial, trinomial, polynomial, exponent, square, and square root.