Week+2+Reflections+(Nov.+2)

This week the video and readings were very informative and actually somewhat shocking as to some of the statistics. I especially liked the article, "The 21st Century Digital Learner." It was very blunt about education and how we as educators don't allow our students to have a voice in their learning. Even though I tried to make sure I made learning fun and exciting when I was in the classroom, I know there were many times that I could've been more engaging with the content. I've been out of the classroom since 1998 and it's amazing how much our ideas about teaching and learning have changed since then. There are times when I would like to go back to the classroom to try many of the tools and techniques I've learned about in the past few years.

The videos that we have viewed in this course are exceptional. I am amazed at the statistics presented in the [|Social Media Revolution] video. I hope to use it in some of our professional development sessions in the district. It provides an opportunity for valuable conversations that educators need to have. Another thought provoking video that I found is called "[|Did You Know 3.0? 2009 Edition"] It too gives educators a reason to analyze why and how they approach teaching and learning. This information changes quickly. There are several versions of the same video and the most recent I can find is [|"Did You Know 4.0 (Fall 2009 Edition)?"]

The tasks that we've completed such as the Google site and Wiki Journal were actually fun. As technology coordinator I get so caught up in the technical workings of the network, academic programs and productivity applications, that I miss the opportunity to learn something new that's exciting and fun. In the past several years we have discouraged our teachers from the social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace because of the opportunity for inappropriate contact with students. In fact, we've had a couple of instances that actually resulted in staff resignations and a loss of certificates. Many of our staff members are scared of the social networking sites. I've already used the google sites to help one of our third grade teachers create and maintain a third grade site. She was trying to use my content managment system for our web site and it was just too hard for her. This way she can work on the site resources and links at home and expand her technical skills and knowledge at the same time. It is a wonderful way to provide information and more communication opportunities for parents.

One tool that we offer to staff is the ability to offer enrichment activities through our BlackBoard site. A few of our staff use it with their classes and I hope that after this course that several others will utilize it much more. It has many Web 2.0 tools built in to it such as Blogs, Wikis, Discussion boards, etc. As yearbook advisor I use the site for my yearbook students to post enrichment activities and readings for yearbook production and journalism. I hope to become even better at extending the learning environment for my yearbook staff especially the 21st century skills needed today.