Things 2/3: Thoughts about Web 2.0
Web 2.0 – Hooray!
Web 2.0 is changing the way I think about my teaching. While I have always had a classroom abounding with active learning, now I have the opportunity to take that to a new level.
I know that my students are very different learners than I was at their age. Through exposure to a variety of technologies, students have an even greater need to interact with what they are learning. They have grown up with cell phones, email, video games, and Google. They will grow up with opportunities to communicate easily with people around the globe, to create news, and to publish their own work. Students have really become more active in their learning, and this is very exciting for me. By tapping into their interests, I can provide exciting educational experiences and inspire them to take ownership over their learning. In addition, I can help my students to learn the valuable tools they will need to succeed in the future.
My teaching has already changed as a result of Web 2.0. I realize that the definition of literacy and what it means to be literate is changing. To be literate, my students must be able to communicate using a variety of methods related to Web 2.0. My students have experimented with Skyping, and they have many suggestions of ways we can use this to enhance our learning. My students are enthusiastic bloggers. They have shared art work, book reviews, and podcasts. We have written to authors to invite them to blog with us about their books. My students’ conversations through the blog demonstrate their comprehension, their higher level thinking skills, and their understanding of their audience. Blogging accomplishes curriculum goals and gets my students excited about writing and sharing ideas. I used to remind students, “You are authors, too!” Now, my students are the first to say that they are authors. Blogging makes the world a much smaller place. We eagerly look at the ClustrMap to see the new dots pop up! My students will never be satisfied until the entire map is covered in polka dots!
I know that I will have to continue to learn and grow in order to provide the best education for my students, but I am excited about that prospect. I believe that everyone should be open to life-long learning. While I am familiar with some Web 2.0 tools, I can’t wait to learn more. I love this stuff! 
8 Responses to “Things 2/3: Thoughts about Web 2.0”
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Hey!
It sounds like you are already very familiar with blogging and clustrmaps. I am impressed that your students love to blog. Times certainly have changed. I hope I can ways to incorporate blogging into my music classes. I know you are creative! i might just come to you for ideas if I get stuck! Thanks for your inspiration!
I think blogging would be a great addition to your music classes. It is amazing how excited the kids get about blogging. At the beginning, we talked a lot about our blog audience and the importance of proofreading our comments and writing thoughtful comments. Some of the kids still write superficial comments at times, but most of them are catching on. It is great to have some students as “blogging role models” in class. I have one particular student who has a fondness for blogging, and her comments are great. The other kids are really learning a lot just from reading her posts and comments.
I am really inspired by your 3rd graders’ blogging. I tried this out with 7th graders, and I see that it is just as powerful for 3rd graders to have an authentic audience. I might even show my 7th graders your kids’ posts, so they can see how even 3rd graders post the high-quality responses that I demand of the 7th graders for literature discussions. It is obvious that your enthusiasm for learning and trying new ways to engage your students is contagious! Wow!
You are really doing a great job in your classroom with using technology. I can remember hearing about all you were doing before we started taking this class. Good job! The kids in your room will definitely be ready for the world!
I too have been inspired by your class blog. How impressive! SO I started one for my reading classes! It has been the most fun I have had in years. The students love it and what they will write about is much more than I can get from them in class. Best of all, all three classes are sharing rather than just one small group.
techbabble,
Thanks for visiting our blog! We are learning as we go, but we are all having a great time. The children seem more motivated to do their best work because the blog feels like “social networking” to them. Today, we had so much fun. The kids made their own Vokis (www.voki.com) and recorded one minute book reviews they had written. They were so excited about this that they were picking out new books to read. I had to promise that Miss Nneka would come back and work with us on new Vokis after spring break. We would love for your 7th graders to visit our blog and leave comments! What is the address of your class blog? I would love to see it!
Meri,
Thanks so much for your comment!
This is so much fun for all of us, and I feel just as motivated as the kids do. I think the best thing I did was to jump in with both feet and try.
Debbie,
Thanks for your comment!
That is so kind! I am so excited that you started a blog for your reading classes, and it is fantastic that you enjoy it too. I keep telling other teachers that I am just like one of the kids when it comes to our blog. When I visit the blog, I realize how much my kids have grown (and how much they continue to grow) as writers and readers. I’m so proud of them. Their parents, extended family, and friends visit our blog too. This really makes us feel like a big community, and the kids have sense that people care about their ideas.
That is great that you can have your classes interact with each other. It is such a motivator for kids. They are much more attuned to the social aspect of the blog, and they often work hard and learn without even realizing it! I would love to know the address of your blog, so I can visit!