THING 5

For Countywide Inservice 2007, I attended a session with David Warlick and was introduced to the concept of Web 2.0. The information he gave was overwhelming. While I'd heard of blogging, I never realized the extent to which Web 2.0 existed. The powerpoint about networking within companies really struck me as an amazing tool. We are not just unnamed cogs in a corporate entity, but living, breathing contributors--Web 2.0 allows for us to play so many more roles (mentor, learner, publicist, publisher...) than we thought possible. How can anyone be bored with their work?! Educators are definitely a part of this, although we don't have anything linking our particular staff together. Only a few of our teachers are involved in this online conversation (and I am now adding myself to that list). But since our staff finds it difficult to collaborate during the school day, using Web 2.0 could mean so much in improving our knowledge and ability to communicate. We could better promote the good going on in our school and classrooms if we took full advantage of this technology.

As I've noted in a previous post, sitting at a computer and joining the conversation sometimes creates a bubble. But I'm seeing now that Web 2.0 does make it possible for that bubble to burst if it is used as a tool in the right way. I'm already excited about learning how to engage kids in conversations through this technology--and giving a voice to those who have a hard time expressing their own in traditional ways. My hope is that those who determine curriculum and design proficiency tests are learning about this world and are willing to explore how we can better respond to/adapt to these changes. Testing itself isn't evil--but it definitely seems to expect the cookie cutter, factory model of the past. We have to move forward.

THING 4

The TIME article on bringing schools out of the 20th century resonated with me. Their anecdote of Rip Van Winkle being lost and confused everywhere in the present except for school is an uncomfortable truth. We are comfortable teaching what we know in the way we were taught ourselves. I've taught nearly 30 years, but my class is honestly very similar to my English classes in the late '70s. It isn't easy leaving my comfort zone.

My one concern is that too many educators and students leap into technology without really learning to evaluate the tools and the information technology offers. While I continually question my students about the credibility of sources they find on the Internet, they continue to demonstrate that, if the Internet says so, it's true. Students who are so connected to their phones and computers seem to exist in a bubble--they may be a part of a community online (in games, in blogs, and in social networking sites), but they have a difficult time holding eye contact in face-to-face meetings, let alone carrying on a basic conversation. In bringing our students into a more global community, we have to teach them how to be a part of the world they physically live in, as well--to be present for others. 

Because of funding issues, it is difficult for schools to provide the latest tools in any kind of timely manner. The desire is sincere, but the process isn't fast enough to keep up with the speed at which technology and information are updated. Frankly, many people feel that if they did okay and they were taught without the latest technology, then it is good enough for their kids. A lot of suspicion exists. 

All I can do is prepare myself so that I can serve my students in the best possible way.

THING 3

When I first heard about blogging, I thought it was a pretty self-centered activity. What did I care about what some stranger had to say about his/her life or about the color blue or about last summer's trip to the West. Obviously, I had a very narrow view of the blogger world!

After reading through many of the blogs suggested in the course instructions, I can admit to just how wrong I was. The sheer number of blogs is staggering, but that just means I can find someone who has something to say that I need to read. The site that directed readers to the classroom design template caught my eye first. I've wanted to redesign my classroom for a long time, but have had a hard time visualizing how to use the little space I have. I also loved the observations about planting seeds of communication among students--that they shouldn't be centered on and dependent upon just the teacher (me) for important conversations and info in our learning community.

I think I'll gravitate to those blogs that share professional concerns about teaching English. To see how others handle common concerns in the wider world is a tremendous opportunity for conversation that would be otherwise impossible. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut when you see the same people all of the time. I also want to explore ways in which I can design lessons for my students--but in meaningful ways (not just for the sake of using the technology).

Over time, I'm sure that blogs about my hobbies and interests on a personal level will become just as important. My worry is that blogging could be a huge distraction (how much more fun to converse online than to grade that set of papers). As a rookie, it will take so much more time to figure out those that will really speak to me. Another worry is that no one will be interested in what I have to say (such pearls of wisdom). Is it another means for some to feel popular and others to feel unpopular. I'm not that concerned about responses for this class, but if I start blogging, I'll want to know that someone actually cares about my thoughts...back to that self-centered issue again!

Anywho, this is the time to learn. Ultimately, I'd rather be a part of the conversation than blissfully ignorant of the blogging world.

Confessions of a Technophobe

This is my first dip into the blog waters, and my brain hasn't drowned in the details yet, so there must be hope for me! Technology has always been a means to an end; I've been clinging to the old-fashioned methods far too long. My daughter, a sixth-grader, can use all the tools of my cell phone better than I can--heck, she knows of tools I didn't know my phone had.

Because I began my teaching career in the dark ages (before personal computers), it's been difficult to admit to just how little I know--how much my students are surpassing me. It's not just a generational thing; plenty of people my age and older are happily blogging and doing things with computers I've always figured were in the realm of science fiction. So...it's time. Time for me to catch up.

I'm ready to swim in the deep waters (just hope the lifeboat isn't too far away).