Web Tool #1: Google Reader & Blogging

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. --Mahatma Gandhi

Will Richardson (2010), an authority on web tools for teachers, states that “if you’re an educator, I think it’s the one technology that you should start using today, right now, this minute” (p. 71). Here's a look at the concept of RSS aggregators in simple terms:

Setting up Google Reader this summer was the first step I took towards building my Personal Learning Network, and I am quickly discovering that it is an efficient and powerful tool. I intend to use Google Reader not only as way to follow my interests, but also as a way to learn about the art of blogging itself.

References

Lefever, L. (2007, April 23). RSS in plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU&feature=player_embedded

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousands Oaks, CA: Corwin.

What is my Starting Place with Web 2.0?

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. --Walt Disney

Up until mid-2010, my skills with classroom technology were based on traditional Windows / Web 1.0 tools.

I job-shared the 2010-2011 with another student of the TL-DL program, and thus began a steep learning curve for me with Web 2.0 tools. Under Jessica Nikula's leadership, we set up a blog and wiki to communicate with parents and create a place for students to download homework assignments. We experimented with unit projects using VoiceThread, Animoto, PBWorks and Blogger. At first, I felt in over my head. However, it soon fell into place. With a little practice, I learned that the tools were simple to use, convenient and fun, and more importantly, they allowed students to demonstrate and collaborate on learning outcomes often in a self-directed way.

In preparation for this course, I did some further groundwork with Google Reader, Diigo, Evernote and Twitter.

In the past year, I’ve not only gotten acquainted with concept of Web 2.0, I’ve also become comfortable using several of the applications. I am excited to spend the next couple of months delving into Web 2.0 more deeply.

Current Events #4: Obvious to You, Amazing to Others

My discovery for this week is an animated video by Derek Sivers. Derek Sivers is a once-musician, entrepreneur, author and frequent speaker at the TED Conferences.

What I like about this short video is that it clearly articulates what prevents sharing and collaboration. As I watched it, I thought of the times that I haven’t contributed because I didn’t think what I had to say was original or creative enough. In the end, I agreed with Derek’s point: what we think is too simple to mention might, in fact, be worthwhile to someone else.

Not only would it be motivating for our students to see this short video, especially when it comes to group work and online collaboration, but it’s also useful to keep in mind with blogging and new adventures in tweeting within a Personal Learning Network.

Reference:

Sivers, D. (2011, June 28). Obvious to you, amazing to others [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/user/dereksivers#p/a/f/2/xcmI5SSQLmE

Current Events #3: Will we have old-fashioned textbooks in ten years?

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
--Arthur C. Clarke

This article from the Christian Science Monitor details how South Korea will be digitizing all school textbooks by 2015. It does seem somewhat magical to me that regular textbooks are eventually going to disappear!

It is fascinating to contemplate the implications for student learning: supplemental websites and collaboration opportunities could be embedded in the textbooks. Updates and new editions could be instantaneous. Pages can’t be ripped out.

On the other hand, how will their government afford a tablet for each student? Would a tablet per student with paid subscriptions to textbooks actually be less expensive than the current textbook system? What will they do when a student loses or damages a tablet?

Questions, questions! This is the direction the world is moving in; how long will it take our province / nation to get on board?