The material for this first week of this technology course was threefold. It was an introduction to the use of “open tools”, Web 2.0 and Professional Development. The first part of the course was an introduction to Web 2.0, which was described as web tools taken to the next level. The overview of Web 2.0 described this new potential for technology by comparing the teacher student relationships that are possible with each. In traditional settings, the teacher as the focal point is necessary and a physical classroom is essential. With the use of 2.0, the learning process becomes more of a partnership between the students and the teacher. With Web 2.0 tools geography and space take on a new meaning, they become possibilities instead of limitations.
The YouTube videos by Will Richardson expand on the potential for learning using Web 2.0. He argues that the use of new technologies is important for professional development. He believes that educators need to rethink what it means to have a classroom. He doesn’t believe that classrooms themselves will disappear, but what happens within them and what they look like will change. I think the fact that I am completing my MA Ed. degree entirely online offers credence to his argument. I am able to form my own professional learning community without the necessity of face to face contact. I do miss having conversations in a physical space, but this platform accommodated the limits of time.
Finally, we were introduced to some of the specific open tools that we would be using in this course. I was excited to see that I am familiar with most of them. Through the professional development offered by my district, I have taken many courses on the tools available with Web 2.0. I set up my own delicious.com account during one of these courses. I did not, however, do anything with it. At the time, very few of my colleagues were familiar with Web 2.0, and many were not interested in pursuing it. I am hoping that this course will help me develop a professional learning community that is interested in these tools and how they can be used effectively in the classroom to improve student learning and help me with my professional growth.
Reference List
Cobb, J. (n.d.). Learning 2.0 for associations. Retrieved from http://www.missiontolearn.com/2008/02/learning-20-ebook-free/
Richardson, W. (Producer).(2008, February 14). Understanding instructional technologies: the read/write web, part 1 [podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFbDEBNS7AE
Richardson, W.(Producer). (2008, February 14). Read/write web, part 2: The future of education in a web based world [podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cZDYz1hmi0
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