Thing 1 & 2: Intro Web 2.0, Become a Blogger

I am participating in 23 Things because I want to find new ways to engage my students in meaningful learning experiences. I have noticed that within the past 3-4 years there has been a significant change in the way students learn. What was considered “good practice” just 5-10 years ago no longer works in a middle school classroom. I need to find a way to reach this new style of learner and I think technology might be the key. Not only do I hope to learn how to engage my students through the use of technology, I also hope that as a group we can address technology misuse/abuse by students and ways to discourage it.

Although the article was the perfect world version of technology (I really liked the new term “techedutopia” created by anonymous), what I found interesting is that it brought to light all the possibilities of using technology not only to enhance student learning but also increase collaboration and productivity among educators. I was thinking it be awesome to plan my lessons in my car on the way to school like the teacher in the article! The video was a powerful motivator to keep up with the now or get left in the dust, and I couldn’t help thinking that this is how our students learn. The driving music, flashing images, fast pace, and powerful words certainly kept my attention. This is what our students are regularly exposed to out of school. This is their norm; this is their world!

One last thing. Writing on the Internet. Cyberspace is a public domain. Anything put out there can be accessed by anyone else. Yes, even if one thinks it’s private and secure. This has made me cautious about displaying personal information. I am concerned that our students as children don’t understand the problems that can cause. Again, I hope we can also address technology misuse and abuse or at least some cautionary words from those who have experience using technology with students.